REPORT

Backcountry access at Tsugaike is relatively approachable thanks to the maintained forest road, even on Mondays through Thursdays when the ropeway is not running—but it is still a mountain environment, so caution is essential. As temperatures climbed quickly this morning, I met a guide (pictured, in front), who greeted me with the familiar phrase, “I always follow Snownavi,” and was getting ready to head out with a group toward Tenguhara.
[Tsuga-no-mori to the Tsugaike Nature Park]

Two participants following behind the guide (pictured) told me, “We always follow Snownavi. We rented all our gear and are heading up to Tenguhara. It’s our first time putting skins on our skis, and we’re already hot and sweating just getting ready.” Three more people behind them added, “This is our first backcountry experience. We took the Tsuga No. 2 Pair up here, and just getting this far and preparing has us already feeling a real sense of accomplishment.”
[Tsuga-no-mori to the Tsugaike Nature Park]

I headed to the Gotemba Course (pictured), hoping to find cooler conditions in the shade. However, the gentle lower section slowed the skis, and after pushing along with repeated skating, I ended up drenched in sweat. Along the Han-no-ki High-Speed Pair, the groomed, granular snow surface was also soft and loose.
[Gotemba Course]

I ran into a couple from Hakuba Village (pictured) who told me, “We always use Snownavi. We have a HAKUBA VALLEY season pass, and we decided to come to Tsugaike for the first time in a while. The snow this morning has already softened into loose, granular conditions.” On the Tsuga-no-mori Slope (pictured), the loose granular groomers, combined with a moderate pitch, made it easy to link smooth, flowing turns.
[Tsuga-no-mori Slope]

　
[Tsugaike Kogen Details on 4/20 (Mon.)]
*OPEN Courses … Han-no-ki, Gotemba, Tsuga-no-mori
*Operating lifts … Gondola (from 8:00 a.m.), Han-no-ki High-speed Pair, Tsuga 2
*Fees … Spring Discount from 3/23: 1-Day Pass Adult JPY6,100, 6-12 y/o JPY3,800
　
*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