REPORT

Clouds blanketed the sky early on the morning of the spring equinox, then gradually broke apart as the day progressed. By around 8 a.m., when the Alps No. 3 Pair started running, the sun began to shrine through for longer stretches. Cortina’s No. 1 Pair and No. 6 Pair ended operations for the season on 3/18 (Wed.), so from 3/19 (Thu.) onward, travel between Cortina and Hakunori with a joint lift pass requires using either a private car or the HAKUBA VALLEY shuttle bus.
[Wakaguri Central Slope]

From the start of the day, the groomed surfaces of the Wakaguri Central Slope and Rabbit Course had already loosened into soft, granular corn, creating some slight drag. The cross course along the No. 5 Pair (pictured) was well maintained, with one spot at the base of a bank showing exposed dirt. It was easy to avoid, and the course could still be ridden with confidence.
[Wakaguri Central Slope]

Early on, the Kamoshika Course and the Highway Course (pictured) had only a thin softened surface layer over top a firm corn base. Instructors from the Hakuba Norikura Ski School, along with other advanced skiers, were making fast top-to-bottom runs and lapping the Alps No. 3 High-Speed Pair. Three exposed dirt patches were visible between the mid to lower portion of Kamoshika.
[Highway Course]

I spoke with a mother from a family visiting from Kyoto Prefecture (pictured, far right) who told me, “We always read Snownavi. Please take a photo of all four of us!” Her husband (pictured, far left) added, “We arrived late last night and will be skiing at Hakunori and Tsugaike over the three-day weekend. We always check your slope reports before heading out.” Around 9 a.m., the slopes began to get busier, especially with families.
[Wakaguri Central Slope]

　
＊The Alps No. 11 Pair on 3/8 (Sun), and Alps No.8 Pair on 3/20 (Fri) have ended operations for the season due to poor snow conditions.
　
[Hakuba Norikura Onsen Details on 3/20 (Fri.)]
*Fully OPEN (Except for Expert, Snake, Satomi-One)
*Operating Lifts … No.3 Pair (8:00～) and totally 8 lifts
*Fees … Spring Discount from 3/16: 1-Day Pass Adult JPY4,500, 6 to 12 y/o JPY2,500, Pre-schooler FREE

*Request for the original data of our photographs
　
reported by Snownavi