REPORT

The open terrain is being steadily expanded at Nozawa Onsen. On 12/1 (Fri.), two days after opening day, the Yamabiko B, C, and E courses were opened up, with the Yamabiko A Course (pictured) following suit on 12/2 (Sat.), and the Uenotaira Slope on 12/3 (Sun.). For my first run of the day, I skied the moderately firm, groomed powder snow surface from Yamabiko D to C, and continued all the way to the Yamabiko Quad lift.
[Yamabiko A Course]

The powder-groomed Yamabiko A course (first photo) was so smooth that I got tricked into thinking I had suddenly become a much better skier. I thoroughly enjoyed the longest run (1.3 km) through Yamabiko, surrounded by the frost-covered forest. As I made my way back to the top of the slope, I was greeted by a couple from Chiba (pictured). The boyfriend told me, “I love your site. My girlfriend fell down at the lift landing and hurt her knee. Be careful out there!”
[Yamabiko D Course]

I also had a chat with a father and son (pictured) from Gifu Prefecture, who said they were fans of Snownavi, and added, “Today is our first time to bust out the powder boards. The snow is so fantastically soft!” The ungroomed portions of Yamabiko E (*the center was groomed to the width of a single grooming machine, while the rest was left ungroomed) and Yamabiko B had about 15cm of fresh, fluffy snow.
[Yamabiko D Course]

Going from Yamabiko D to E, and on to Kokenashi A, I passed in front of the Nagasaka Gondola summit station and continued to the Uenotaira Slope. The well-maintained groomed powder snow on Kokenashi and Uenotaira made for pleasant skiing at high speeds. Not long afterwards, blue skies opened up above, and I was able to glimpse a sea of clouds during my descent on the Nagasaka Gondola.
[Kokenashi A Course]

　
[Nozawa Onsen Availability Information on 12/4 (Mon)]
*Avaiiable Courses … Yamabiko Area A, B, C, D, E, Uenotaira
*Available Lifts … Nagasaka Gondola (8:30 -), Yamabiko No.2 Four(8:40 -), Yamabiko Four(8:40 -)
*Fees … Adult JPY4,400, Under 15 y/o JPY2,900 (Until 12/15)

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reported by Snownavi