REPORT

Jigatake Snow Resort, which has been upgrading its facilities and augmenting its services year by year, pre-opened at 9:00 today, 12/8 (Fri.), thanks in part to its use of the latest artificial snowfall machines! The pre-opening comes 9 days earlier than last year and 7 days earlier than scheduled, making it the 4th ski resort in Hakuba Valley to open for the season. I caught up with a skier from Karuizawa (pictured), who told me, “I love your site! This run at Jigatake is my first of the season. I’m using ICELANTIC skis.
[Echo]

The 1st Pair Lift was in operation, and currently only the Echo Slope is open (5 to 20 meters wide and 540 meters long). The slope had been groomed just before the resort opening, and my edges set well on the moderately soft snow surface. Although the base was only around 30cm, there were no areas with exposed underbrush on the course.
[Echo]

Jigatake’s Snow Park is already open at the top of course, along the south side. The park items from top to bottom are: a wide box, two 2-way pipe rails, and a round rail. I had a conversation with a resident of Omachi and another from Hakuba who said they came to Jigatake for the day since the park was open and they could ski all day for only JPY500.
[Echo]

Jigatake Resort is located at the southern end of the Hakuba Valley, and is about a 45-minute drive off of the Nagano Expressway from the Azumino IC. The access road to the parking lot right beside the slopes has little snow even in midwinter, and there are no major hills or mountain passes to drive over, so it’s relatively easy to get to. (*Do be careful however!) Today, Adult 1-Day Lift Tickets were ¥500, but from tomorrow through 12/14 (Thurs.), the price will be JPY2,000 for both children and adults.
[Omachi Onsenkyo Area]

　　　
[Jiigatake Opening Information for 12/8（Fri.）]
*Available Courses … Echo
*Available Lifts … No.1 Pair (9:00 a.m.–, From 12/9 onwards 8:30 a.m.–)
Fees … Adults, 3 y/o–junior high school students and overe 60 y/o JPY500 (until 12/8), Adults, 3 Y/O–junior high school students and overe 60 Y/O JPY2,000（until 12/14）

*Good Deal! Advance Ticket (Sales Period until 12/15)
Adult 1 Day Ticket JPY4,700 → JPY3,300!
3 y/o–junior high school students JPY2,700 → JPY2,000!

*Request for the original data of our photographs
　
　
reported by Snownavi