REPORT

The officially reported base depth, which stood at 175 cm on 1/20 (Tue.), has jumped dramatically thanks to the strongest and longest cold wave of the season that arrived the following day on 1/21 (Wed.), reaching 270 cm by 1/25 (Sun.). A skier from Toyama Prefecture (pictured), who was first down the Yamabiko Slope B Course, said after finishing their run, “I always read your reports. Yamabiko B felt amazing today!”
[Yamabiko Slope・B Course]

Around 20 cm of light new snow had fallen on Yamabiko B since yesterday, sitting on top of a solid base formed by the 80 cm of dry snow that accumulated between 1/24 (Sat.) and 1/25 (Sun.), creating outstanding flotation. A snowboarder (pictured) who dropped in while calling out, “I always read your reports!” had their nose floating effortlessly through the powder.
[Yamabiko Slope・B Course]

The special self-responsibility zones beneath the Yamabiko No. 2 Four line and alongside the Yamabiko Four, which I could study closely while riding the lifts, were smooth, untracked powder fields that looked absolutely mouthwatering (pictured). I spoke to a man in the lead group waiting in line to ride the Nagasaka Gondola, who told me, “Yesterday I was buried up to my chest.” With the snow looking incredibly deep, I decided not to drop in, fearing I might get stuck.
[Yamabiko Slope・B Course]

The groomed Yamabiko D (pictured) and Yamabiko E courses were both covered in moderately compacted powder, allowing me to carve exactly the turns I wanted. Despite it being a weekday, the Yamabiko area was buzzing with powder lovers. Three visitors from Germany and New Zealand told me, “Nozawa Onsen’s powder snow is incredible!”
[Yamabiko Slope・D Course]

＊“THIS IS LIVING FIRST TRACKS” events will be held on 2/11 (Wed.), 2/15 (Sun.), 2/19 (Thu.), 3/4 (Wed.), and 3/8 (Sun.).
　
[Nozawa Onsen Details on 1/26 (Mon.)]
*Fully OPEN (Except for KANDAHAR WEST & EAST)
*Operating Lifts … Nagasaka Gondola (8:30～) and totally 13 lifts
*Fees … Adult JPY7,500, Under 15 y/o JPY4,500, Over 60 y/o JPY6,000
　　
＊Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi