REPORT

The “largest university ski competition in Japan,” the National Student Ski Competition Iwatake (Technical Ski Division), is now just three days away. This morning, I spoke with members of the Tokyo City University Zephyrus Ski Club (pictured) who told me, “We always read your reports. We’ll do our best to make it to the finals!” Following the opening ceremony on 2/23 (Mon., holiday), the schedule includes the Individual Performance Qualifiers on 2/24 (Tue.), the Individual Performance Semifinals on 2/25 (Wed.), the Individual Performance Finals on 2/26 (Thu.), and the Individual Performance Rookie Competition on 2/27 (Fri.).
[Kamoshika]

On the final day, 2/28 (Sat.), the Team Performance and Open Mix events will be held. In the Team Performance competition, multiple skiers form a team and ski in formation, maintaining precise spacing while performing synchronized runs. The Open Mix is a team event made up of two men and two women. With calm, clear skies, Kamoshika offered moderately firm groomed powder conditions this morning.
[Kamoshika]

I had a conversation with two members of the Shinshu University Technical Ski Team (pictured), one of the overall title favorites, and they told me, “We always read your reports. Thank you for featuring us so often last year. This year we’re aiming for the overall championship again—and the men are going for their seventh consecutive title!” Sunny Valley featured moderately firm groomed powder up top, transitioning to groomed moist snow with a powdery feel lower down.
[Kamoshika]

I also met a woman who recently transferred to Hakuba Village (pictured). She commented, “I always check Snownavi. I just moved here and I’m still nervous about driving on snowy roads, so I chose an Iwatake season pass since it’s close to the main road.” With warmer temperatures forecast for the three-day weekend starting tomorrow, the roads are expected to be dry with little concern about ice. Today the South Slope, East Slope (pictured), and Sawa Course all featured moderately firm groomed powder surfaces.
[East Slope]

　　
[Hakuba Iwatake Details on 2/20 (Fri.)]
*Fully OPEN (Except North, Sonezawa)
*Operating Lifts … Gondola (8:00～) and totally 7 lifts.
*Fees … 1-Day Pass Adult JPY7,000, 6-12 y/o JPY4,300, Over 60 y/o JPY6,600, 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