REPORT

After yesterday’s unseasonably warm weather across Japan, the shift back to a winter pressure pattern brought the cold right back today. Fine, dry snow was drifting down lightly, carried by a chilly north wind, and the trees from mid-mountain up were coated in rime ice. I found myself wrapped in thick fog as I stepped off the gondola.
[Riesen Slalom Course]

I spoke with a member of the ski patrol, who told me, “There was a sea of clouds early visible this morning, but the clouds have since risen. Visibility is poor, so please ski carefully.” A light dusting of dry new snow covered Usagidaira’s south side route (pictured), where the base was composed of well-groomed, firm wet snow. The slope along the Kurobishi Quad had moderately firm, groomed wet snow with a powdery feel.
[Usagidaira Slope]

While I was on the mountain, I heard comments from guests like, “It’s so white I’m getting dizzy,” and “It’s too foggy!” The central section of the Skyline Course (pictured) and the Panorama Course, both lightly topped with fresh snow, were groomed and featured firmly set wet snow. I broke below the cloud layer around the midpoint of the well-groomed Kitaone Forest Road as I descended from Skyline.
[Skyline Course]

Overall, slope conditions were quite good. Even on the firmer groomed wet snow of Sakka Wave, the Sakka Slope, and the Shirakaba Slope (pictured), skiing felt smooth and controlled. I had a conversation with a family from Mie Prefecture (pictured) who commented, “We always read Snownavi. We’ve been looking for you while skiing! Since it’s completely white up top, we’re debating whether to head back up or stay lower down.”
[Shirakaba Slope]

　　
[Happo-One Details on 2/16 (Mon.)]
*Fully OPEN!
*Operating Lifts … Gondola (8:00～) and totally 19 lifts
*Fees … 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY8,700, 6-17 y/o JPY4,350, Over 65 y/o JPY8,400

*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