REPORT

It occurred to me that Valentine’s Day falls on a weekend this year. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of encounters the day will bring—and what kind of photos I’ll be able to capture. For the record, I’ve already received one piece of chocolate earlier this month. Today, I met a father from Nagano City who told me, “This little one (pictured) seems to prefer playing in the kamakura (snow hut) over skiing…”
[IWATAKE WHITE PARK]

I spoke with four S-CLASS season pass holders (pictured) that had already carved first tracks, and they told me, “We always read your reports. We’re glad it’s snow instead of rain! We’re heading to Iwatake no Yu onsen to warm up afterward.” The South Slope (pictured) featured 7 to 10 cm of soft new snow sitting on a well-compacted groomed powder base. A lift operator on 5-Line South commented, “It was dumping before dawn and accumulated all at once.”
[South Slope]

I enjoyed the Sawa Course (pictured), which offered groomed moist snow with a powdery feel, topped with about 15 cm of soft new snow. A man who had just skied down the former Hilltop Course (pictured) told me, “I always read your reports. The former Hilltop had around 25 cm of soft new snow on top of a firm base. Pointing the skis straight gave me a great floating sensation.”
[Sawa Course]

Sunny Valley featured firm, groomed moist snow with a powdery feel up top, transitioning to firmer groomed moist snow lower down. The 5 to 8 cm of fresh snow on top gradually became heavier as I descended. I crossed paths with two members of the Nozawa Onsen Ski Club who told me, “We’re competing in the Hakuba Junior Ski Championships. We’re aiming for the win!” Kamoshika (pictured) will have course restrictions in place from 2/11 (Wed.) to 2/15 (Sun.) due to the event.
[Kamoshika]

＊2/15 (Sun.) is Kids’ Ski Day, with free lift rides for elementary school students.
　　　
[Hakuba Iwatake Details on 2/11 (Wed.)]
*Fully OPEN (Except North, Sonezawa)
*Operating Lifts … Gondola (8:00～) and totally 6 lifts.
*Fees … 1-Day Pass Adult JPY6,300, 6-12 y/o JPY3,900, A preschooler will be free per adult

*Printable Rental Discount Coupons!
Carving Ski・Snowboard 1-Day Rental Set JPY3,500 / Outerwear JPY2,500!
Carving Ski・Snowboard High Performance Model Rental JPY500 OFF!
Kid’s Ski・Snowboard 1-Day Rental Set JPY2,500 / Outerwear JPY1,500!

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi