REPORT

2/15 (Sun.) is “Ski Kids’ Day,” when 1-day lift tickets are free for elementary school students and younger at Akakura. I met a mother from Joetsu City (pictured, second from right), visiting with her twin daughters and their friend, who told me, “The weather is beautiful and the views are amazing—it’s perfect! My daughters joined the Elementary School Ski Program before. It was great that they could take lessons together with their friends.” One of the girls (pictured, far left) added with a grin, “I’ve been practicing for today’s ‘Kids’ Treasure Hunt!’”
[Panorama Course]

Clear skies and no wind made for a pleasant start, but temperatures were already a warm +1°C before the 8:30 a.m. opening, so I shed a mid-layer before heading out. The Downhill Central Course (pictured), the Slalom Course, and the Elegant Course were all groomed into firm granular snow bases, though the surface began softening soon after.
[Downhill Central Course]

The Utopia A Course (pictured), which stays shaded for much of the day, offered moderately firm groomed moist snow mixed with more granular crystals. By around 9:30 a.m., the sun-exposed Panorama Course and Sekimi Slope had developed a deeper, softened surface layer. Even so, glide remained good across all runs, making for comfortable skiing.
[Utopia A Course]

I had a conversation with two guests from Tokyo (pictured) who told me, “We always read Snownavi! You took our photo in Nozawa Onsen before. We’re staying two nights and skiing at Akakura Onsen and AKAKAN. Next week we’re heading to Geto Kogen—want to come ski with us? Haha.” The Rabbit Course also had moderately firm, moist snow conditions with a mix of light granular snow.
[Panorama Course]

　
[Akakura Onsen Details on 2/15 (Sun.)]
*Fully OPEN!
*Operating Lifts … Yodel No.1 Triple (8:30～) and totally 8 lifts
*Fees … 1-Day Pass Adult JPY7,000, 6 to 12 y/o JPY2,500, 13 to 15 y/o & Over 60 y/o JPY5,600
　
*Print and get a great deal! Discount Coupon!
5 hour Lift ticket + JPY1,500 Meal vouchers or store coupons = JPY8,000 → JPY7,000!
　
*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi