REPORT

I went and checked out the Uenotaira and Paradise Slopes before the Snow Hole Digging Contest began on 3/28 (Sat.). With calm weather and warm, sunny skies, the Uenotaira Slope (pictured) offered well-packed, groomed granular conditions. I also saw people skiing with their dogs (dogs are limited to the Nagasaka Gondola, ¥600 per ride).
[Uenotaira Slope]

The ultra-wide Paradise Slope (pictured) had a soft, groomed granular surface. I skied the Paradise Quad side on my first and second runs, then the skier’s right side on my third, where plenty of clean, undisturbed snow remained. Both Uenotaira and Paradise are gentle, wide slopes with smooth groomed surfaces, but linking them into a single 3.2 km run made for a very satisfying ride.
[Paradise Slope]

The Family Lane (pictured), which branches to the right midway down Uenotaira, was a hidden gem today. I cruised comfortably on the well-packed granular groomer while enjoying the spring air. The snow park running parallel to the course on the left hosted the “ONSEN JAM” event on 3/29 (Sun.). The halfpipe near the lower part of Uenotaira also closed on 3/29 (Sun.).
[Family Lane]

All downhill routes to the base closed on 3/29 (Sun.), and during the spring season starting on 3/30 (Mon.), seven lifts including the Nagasaka Gondola (from 8:10 a.m.) will operate, with skiing available on four areas: Yamabiko, Uenotaira, Kokenashi, and Paradise. Dogs can ride the Nagasaka Gondola for ¥600 per round trip, but are limited to walking in the upper section of the Uenotaira Slope and around the rest house area.
[Family Lane]

　
[Nozawa Onsen Details on 3/28 (Sat.)]
*Fully OPEN (Except for UTOPIA B, KUROKURA, KANDAHAR WEST & EAST, GRANDPRIX, Jamping HACHIMAN, Nagasaka Connect)
*Operating Lifts … Nagasaka Gondola (8:30～) and totally 14 lifts
*Fees … 1-Day Pass Adult JPY7,500, Under 15 y/o JPY4,500, Over 60 y/o JPY6,000 (＊Spring Discount from 3/30 Adult JPY5,900, 6 to 15 y/o JPY3,500, Over 60 y/o JPY4,700)
　　
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reported by Snownavi