REPORT

Today, 12/9 (Sat.), the Hinode Slope (pictured) and Sugadaira Kogen Pine Beak ski area opened! On the Hinode Slope, which is open on Saturdays and Sundays through 12/17 (Sun.), I saw a private group practicing early in the morning before opening. (*General visitors are admittable starting at 8:30 a.m.) Conditions were hardpacked on the well-groomed slope. Going forward, night skiing is scheduled to take place here on Fridays and Saturdays after 12/25 (Mon.), as well as during the year-end and New Year’s holiday period.
[Hinode]

Over at Pine Beak, the GO-no-hara and Family courses on the Omatsu Slope were open for skiing. The groomed slope was composed mostly of artificial, and was wider and firmer than the typical early season conditions, making it easy to ski. To get to the GO-no-hara Course from the Omatsu No. 1 Quad, it’s necessary to use the Friend Course.
[Omatsu GO-no-hara Course]

The width of the course at Urataro Family East, which has been open since 11/25 (Sat.), has been increased. In particular, the last half of the run is now 80 to 90% of the total course width. My skis slid well across the hard groomed surface, but the top layer was slowly shaved away by the edges of the large number of visitors (mainly skiers), and the conditions slowly softened over time.
[Urataro Family East]

Going back to the first part of the day, I spoke with a cosplaying local skier from Ueda City (pictured, right). He told me he was a fan of Snownavi, and added, “I bought my advanced discount lift tickets from Snownavi. This season, my friend from Gunma (pictured, left) is giving me lessons.” They looked like a couple at first glance, but I soon realized they were both men. By the way, lift tickets have shifted to normal pricing as of today, 12/9 (Sat.), but the Ueda Sugadaira discount campaign (valid until 2/12, or as soon as the budget runs out) can be applied for a JPY1,000 discount on a 1-day pass.
[Urataro Family East]

　　　
[Operation Details on 12/9 (Sat)]
*Available Courses … Urataro Family East, hinode, Omatsuyama Friend → GO-no-hara → Family
*Available Lifts … Stage 3 (8:30-), Hinode Pair (8:30-), Omatsu No. 1 Quad (8:30-)
*Lift Fees … During the Ueda Sugadaira campaign Adult JPY4,400, 60-69 y/o JPY3,800, junior high school student & Over 70 y/o JPY2,800, 4-Unschooled JPY100, Under 3 y/o Free (Until 2/15, Ends as soon as the budget runs out)

*Great Value! Early Bird Lift Tickets
Davos & Taro Area (*On Sale Until 2024/3/17）
Paper Ticket → Adult 1 Day Ticket JPY5,400 → JPY4,300!
E-Ticket →Adult 1 Day Ticket JPY5,400 → JPY4,300!
(*Paper tickets are JPY4,800 for an adult one-day pass, including JPY500 deposit at the time of purchase. The deposit will be returned when the IC card is returned.)

Pine Beak Area
Paper Ticket → Adult 1 Day Ticket + Pole Practice Ticket JPY6,300 → JPY5,600! (*On Sale Until 2024/3/18)
E-Ticket → Adult 1 Day Ticket + Pole Practice Ticket JPY6,300 → JPY5,600! Other (*On Sale Until 2024/3/30)
　　
*Click here to purchase photos found in this report
　
　
reported by Snownavi