REPORT

The Student Ski Competition Iwatake (Technical Ski Division) reached its final day today. In the Team Performance event, teams start in a formation of their choice and compete based on the combined score of two segments: the “Compulsory Run” (pictured), where they must hold their formation all the way to the finish, and the “Free Run,” where they can adjust their formation as they see fit. Kamoshika, the competition venue, offered groomed granular snow with a loose, sugary texture.
[Kamoshika Racing]

The Keio University Riesen Ski Club (pictured), which placed first in the women’s Compulsory Run, told me, “We’re thrilled to be leading after the compulsory round. We’ll stay in sync and give it everything we have in the free run.” After the Compulsory Run began at 9:30 a.m., the Open Mix (Team Performance) followed, with the Free Run scheduled to start around 11:00 a.m.
[Up Bahn]

In the men’s Compulsory Run, Hokkaido University Elegant Ski Team (pictured)—a perennial favorite—took first place. They told me, “We split up into about 20 cars, took a ferry from Tomakomai to Niigata, then drove the expressway to Hakuba. It takes two days one way. We’re aiming to carry this momentum through and win the team title.”
[Up Bahn]

The Mountain Side was cloaked in dense white fog this morning. The South Slope (pictured) and Sunny Valley were soft from the start, offering groomed granular snow that let my edges sink in deeply. On Sunny Valley, I noticed scattered spots with thin snow cover appearing, even up top.
[South Slope]

　　
[Hakuba Iwatake Details on 2/28 (Sat.)]
*Fully OPEN (Except for 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　[2/28（土）の 白馬岩岳]