REPORT

Shiga Kogen is known for its early morning skiing opportunities. Currently, at Yakebitaiyama Ski Area, both the No. 1 and No. 2 Gondolas are running daily from 6:00 a.m. through 5/6 (Wed., holiday). Two-hour (JPY4,100) and 4-hour (JPY5,500) Yakebitaiyama tickets are available, along with the 1-day spring ticket (Adults JPY6,500, Junior High & High School Students JPY5,400, Seniors JPY5,900), and the Snownavi advance discount 1-day ticket (JPY6,000).
[Yakebitaiyama・Giant Slalom Course]

Clear skies greeted the morning, and occasional strong south winds brought a cool feel to the area. The Giant Slalom Course (pictured) was freshly groomed with moderately firm granular snow, and with it being a weekday, the slopes were nearly empty. I lapped the No. 1 Gondola two to three times and still found clean corduroy on the 2,230 m-long run (max 25°, avg 11°).
[Yakebitaiyama・Giant Slalom Course]

All six open runs—Giant Slalom, Gondola Bypass, Panorama (pictured), Panorama-In, South, and East Connection—are accessible via the No. 1 and No. 2 Gondolas during early morning operations. I met a snowboarder from Saitama Prefecture (pictured) who told me, “This is my first time skiing here. The surface is in great shape and the ride is really smooth! I’d love to come back during peak season next time.”
[Yakebitaiyama・Panorama Course]

The Panorama (pictured) and Panorama In Courses held moderately firm groomed granular snow on the upper to mid sections. The lower sections of both runs, along with the South Course and East Connection, had loosened into soft, chunky granular snow. Even so, the surface stayed consistent and ran well all the way to the bottom, with no exposed dirt.
[Yakebitaiyama・Panorama Course]

　　
*When Route 292 reopens at 10:00 a.m. on 4/22 (Wed.), private vehicles will once again be able to access the Shibutoge parking area.
*From 4/1 (Wed.), the Nagano Prefecture 150th Anniversary “Learn More! Shinshu Experience Discount” offers 50% off one-day lift tickets for Nagano residents and 20% off for non-residents.
*The base depth at the top of this report reflects the maximum snow depth across all of Shiga Kogen. Currently, the highest recorded depth of 105 cm is at Shibutoge, while Yakebitaiyama has 100 cm.
　　　　
[Shiga Kogen Details on 4/14 (Tue.)]
*OPEN Courses … (OKUSHIGA) No.1, No.2 Expert, No.3, No.4, Downhill, Downhill (Beginner), Hill Side, Rinkan, (YAKEBITAIYAMA) Panorama, Panorama In, Giant Slalom, Gondola Detour, South, East Connection, (ICHINOSE FAMILY) Front, Tengu, Panorama, (KUMANOYU) 2nd A, 2nd Beginner, 3rd A, 3rd Biginner, 4th A, 4th Beginner, 4th Event, Shakari, Umanose, 4th Lift Connection, (YOKOTEYAMA) 1st, 2nd, King, (SHIBUTOGE) Gemute, Weber
*Operating Lifts … Ichinose Quad (8:30～) and totally 12 lifts
*Fees … 1 Day Pass Spring Discount from 4/1: Adult JPY7,000, Middle & High school students JPY6,500, Under 12 y/o JPY3,500, over 60 y/o JPY6,500

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi