REPORT

The heavy snow that had continued overnight and into the dawn had finally died down in intensity, and dry snow was falling lightly on this windless morning. Some beginners were heading over to the Panorama (pictured, upper left) and Panorin (pictured, bottom left) courses, but the majority of those getting off the gondola gathered one by one in the steadily lengthening line for the Alpen Quad.
[Usagidaira Slope]

The open slopes were all blanketed with fog, but it wasn’t enough to affect the skiing. I headed from the southern route of Usagidaira, which had 2 to 3cm of fresh snow sitting atop the moderately firm, groomed powder snow surface, to the steep ungroomed slope of Sodeguro (pictured). Though I could sometimes feel the soft, uneven base below, I was thrilled to find 30 to 40cm of fantastic, fluffy fresh powder!
[Usagidaira Slope]

The fog thinned as I descended to the Panorama Course. With all of the new snow, the conditions on the Panorama Course (pictured) had completely recovered, and the moderately firm, groomed powder snow surface was topped with a thin layer of new snow that made it fun and easy to ratchet up the speed! About half of the southern side of the course was left ungroomed and was covered with 30cm of light, fresh snow.
[Panorama Course]

As mentioned previously, the BLASTRACK TEST RIDE is taking place today and tomorrow in the area in front of the Usagidaira Terrace. (*Starting at 9:30 a.m., free of charge, ID required). I spoke with a staff member who told me, “We’re glad we got some fresh snow. Today the conditions are perfect to try out our powder skis, so don’t hesitate to drop by and give them a test ride.” In other news, the Skyline Course will open at 1:00 p.m. today!
[Usagidaira Terrace]

[Happo-One Details on 12/23 (Sat.)]
*Available Courses … Panorama Course, Usagidaira, Kurobishi, Skyline Course
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00～), Kokusai No.1, Alpen Quad, Kurobishi No.2 Quad, Panorama Pair, Kokusai No.3 Pair, Skyline No.2 Pair（13:00～）
*Fees … 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY7,200, 6-17 y/o JPY3,600円, Over 65 y/o 7,000円

*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