REPORT

The winter season has begun at Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort, with the gondola kicking off at 10:00 today, 11/30 (Thurs.)! The current, skiable area alongside the Han-no-ki High-Speed Pair Lift (pictured) had a moderately soft, groomed snow surface that stretched to about 70% of the full course width. Although the 5 to 10cm of fresh snow that sat atop the groomed base was slightly heavy, the snow quality was excellent for the first day of opening, especially considering that it was November.
[Han-no-ki]

The snow that fell overnight and into the morning was more than expected, and the result was a layer of over 70cm of soft snow on the ungroomed area (pictured) directly under the Han-no-ki High-Speed Pair Lift line in the early part of the course. You could easily get stuck if you enter the area without purpose and momentum. Poles marked the boundary of the run in a wider area to the skier’s right (pictured).
[Han-no-ki]

When I arrived at the resort at 10:30, snow was coming down along with a strong northerly wind, but after an hour or so, gaps appeared in the clouds with blue skies and sunshine visible. The entire resort is now white, but a member of the staff told me that they need more snow to open other areas. “Let’s hope for more snow.”
[Distant View of the Lower Portion of the Ski Resort]

Although the announcement of the resort’s opening was made just the night before, on the evening of 11/29 (Wed.), and despite the fact that it was a weekday, the turnout was quite good. There were many international skiers, and excited shouts of joy could be heard here and there. I ran into the owners of NIKU Masa and Hakuba Hokujo Chalet in Misorano, who told me, “The snow is good right from the first day! We look forward to seeing everyone again this season.”
[Han-no-ki]

　
[Tsugaike Kogen Details on 11/30 (Thu.)]
*Available Courses … The area alongside the Han-no-ki High Speed Pair Lift
*Available Lifts … Gondola (10:00〜16:00), Han-no-ki High Speed Pair (10:30～15:50)
*Fees … Early Season 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY4,700, Elementary School Students JPY2,900 (until 12/15)
　
*Good Deal! Advance Ticket (Sales Period until 12/18)
Adult 1 Day Ticket JPY6,400 → JPY4,600!
6-12 y/o 1 Day Ticket JPY3,800 → JPY2,900!
Adult 1 Day Ticket + Lunch Ticket JPY1,000 = JPY7,400 → JPY5,400!
6-12 y/o 1 Day Ticket + Lunch Ticket JPY1,000 = JPY4,800 → JPY3,700!
　
*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!

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi