REPORT

I chatted with a man from Australia who rode the Uenotaira Quad with me and told me first in Japanese, and then in English, “Nozawa’s JAPOW is very nice!” The Uenotaira Slope (pictured) had a moderately firm, groomed powder surface that included the 10 or so centimeters of fresh snow from yesterday, and there was ample snow cover with no bushes visible. Two boxes and two rails were set up at the beginning of the slope.
[Uenotaira Slope]

The Paradise Slope (pictured, avg. 8 degrees, 1,200m long), which was very popular today, was groomed with a powder snow surface that was a little tighter packed than the Uenotaira Slope. The most notable feature of the Paradise Slope is its breadth, as the run stretches approximately 220 meters wide. This morning I overheard conversations in a variety of languages, including English, Chinese, Korean, and occasionally Japanese.
[Paradise Slope]

Light snow was falling and the Yamabiko area was shrouded in thick fog. The groomed Yamabiko A (pictured) had a moderately soft powder snow surface with a thin covering of fresh snow. The conditions made it hard to see the snow surface, but the feeling coming from my skis was super pleasant!
[Yamabiko A Course]

I spoke again with a skier from Yamanashi (pictured), whom I also met on opening day. He told me, “I checked the conditions at various resorts around the country, and decided to come to Nozawa Onsen because of the higher elevation. The slopes have been groomed with the fresh snow from yesterday, so they’re soft and easy to ski.” In other news, night skiing will be extended to 11:30 p.m. on 12/31 (Sun.), and fireworks will take place at the start of the new year. Also, on 1/1 (Mon., holiday), free sake will be given away on the Uenotaira Slope (*starting at 11:00).
[Yamabiko A Course]

　
[Nozawa Onsen Availability Information on 12/27 (Wed)]
*Avaiiable Courses … Yamabiko Area A, B, C, D, E, Uenotaira, Kokenashi Area A & B, Paradise
*Available Lifts … Nagasaka Gondola (8:30 -), Hikage Gondola (8:30 -), Yamabiko No.2 Four, Yamabiko Four, Skyline Double, Uenotaira Four, Yu road
*Fees … Adult JPY6,800, Under 15 y/o JPY4,100, Senior JPY5,400

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reported by Snownavi