REPORT

Old Man Winter has decided to stick around a little while longer. A low-pressure system formed off Japan’s southern coast yesterday evening, and even though it might ordinarly produce rain or sleet, it resulted in even more snow. Perhaps most impressively, the fresh snow that fell was of a light and dry quality, even at the base of the mountain. By this morning, that weather system had moved to the east and in its place a more typical winter weather pattern returned to the area, bringing colder temperatures and covering the trees on the upper half of the resort in rime ice.
[Panorama Course]

The weather at the resort this morning was foggy, and the falling snow was being carried by a weak but cold north wind. The groomed Riesen Slalom Course (pictured) was in excellent condition, with a moderately soft powder snow surface! When I measured the amount of new snow on the ungroomed part at the beginning of the course, it was only about 10 cm. I heard people expressing their surprise and saying that they thought there would have been more since it had been snowing since last night.
[Riesen Slalom Course]

On the other hand, I heard cheers coming from the steep, ungroomed slopes along the Kurobishi 3 Pair (pictured), Alpen Quad, and on the Skyline Course. The decent amount of fresh snow (about 20cm) combined with the softness of the underlying terrain was great for enjoying some nice turns. The Kitaone forest road course, Sakka Wave, and the southern part of the Sakka Slope had soft, easy-to-ski groomed powder conditions that stretched from top to bottom.
[Kurobishi Slope]

At the foot of the mountain, free shuttle buses are running daily between Happo, Iwatake, and Tsugaike until 3/26 (Mon.). In addition, HAKUBA VALLEY shuttle buses connecting all 10 HAKUBA VALLEY ski resort, from Hakuba Cortina at the north end to Jiigatake in the far south, are currently in operation. (Adults ¥510 / Children 6-11 ¥260 / Children 5 and under FREE with an all-Hakuba Valley lift ticket). Many people, particularly international visitors, were lined up for buses at the Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal (pictured), which is the central hub for each route.
[Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal]

　
[Happo-One Opening Information for 1/28 (Sat.)]
*All courses are available!
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00 a.m.-), totally 17 lifts
*Fees … Adult JPY6,500, 6-17 y/o JPY3,200, Over 65 y/o JPY5,800 (Until Mar. 19)

*Printable Rental Discount Coupons!
Carving Ski・Snowboard 1-Day Rental Set JPY3,000 / 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!

*Click here to purchase photos found in this report
　
reported by Snownavi