REPORT

I was under the impression that there was still plenty of snow remaining, so I was quite surprised to hear yesterday’s announcement that the resort will close on 3/26 (Sun.), a week earlier than expected, and that the No. 3 High-Speed Pair would closing at the end of the day on 3/22 (Wed.). Today and tomorrow, the No. 4 and No. 6 Pairs will be in operation, and on 3/25 (Sat.) and 3/26 (Sun.) the No. 1 Pair will also be open for a total of three operating lifts. I spoke with a member of the Ski Patrol, who told me, “The No. 11 Pair has been really well received this season, including a lot of people going up for sightseeing, and most importantly, there were no accidents.”
[Wakaguri Central Slope]

The Wakakuri Chuo Slope had a soft, groomed granular snow surface where my skis slide well on the top half, but where friction from the damp snow slowed me down a little on the second half. A snowboarder from Shizuoka Prefecture (pictured) told me, “This is my first visit to Hakuba Norikura in two years. There have been less and less runs open each day during my stay.”
[Wakakuri Central Slope]

The Wakakuri Forest Course also had a soft, groomed granular snow surface, but there were no areas with thin snow cover, so I was able to ski without any worries. I caught up with five guests from Tochigi Prefecture (pictured) who told me they had come out by car and were staying at the Hakuba Alps Hotel. They asked me if I had any recommendations for courses they could ski together, but I had no idea. Why? Because today and tomorrow, only the Wakaguri Central and Wakaguri Forest courses are open for skiing.
[Wakaguri Forest Course]

I also crossed paths with a family from Karuizawa (pictured), who said they have been staying at their grandmother’s house here in Otari Village, and skiing each day for the last week. They added, “It is easier to ski today than yesterday when it was hot and the snow was wet and sticky.” It was sunny at the time of the resort’s opening, but the clouds gradually began to increase as the morning went on.
[Wakaguri Central Slope]

　　
[Availability Information on 3/23 (Thu.)]
*Open Course(s) … Wakaguri Central, Wakaguri Forest
*Available Lift(s) … Alps No.4 Pair (8:30-), Alps No.6 Pair
*Lift Fees … From 3/20 Spring Dicount 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY3,500, 6-12 y/o JPY2,000

*Click here to purchase photos found in this report

reported by Snownavi