REPORT

Relatively warm weather has continued since 1/18 (Thurs.), but the trees on the resort’s Mountain Side were covered in rime ice this morning. VIEW C and VIEW D had moderately firm, groomed wet snow surfaces that my skis ran well on, and I was able to get up to speed even on the very gentle slope at the beginning of VIEW D (pictured).
[VIEW D]

Under a cloudy sky, the South and East slopes were groomed with hard wet snow conditions. However, I found it easy to set my edges and link controlled, comfortable turns. The weekend crowds that later descended on Iwatake, shaving off the surface layer as they turned, seemed to be making the snow softer on the South Slope and Sunny Valley Course as I finished up my report.
[South Slope]

The Sawa Lift started operating at 8:15 today, opening up the Sawa and Hikage courses! Hikage was ungroomed, and the rain-soaked surface from the precipitation that fell the day before yesterday had hardened with the cold temperatures that followed. Sawa had a groomed, well-packed wet snow base that beginners and intermediate skiers seemed to be treating with caution, while advanced skiers were skiing down at full speed.
[Sawa Course]

I spoke with three visitors from Tokyo and Matsumoto (pictured), who told me, “We love your site! The slopes are pretty hard everywhere today. Do you think it will be easier to ski when it loosens up a little during the day?” As of 9:30 a.m., the No. 2 Parking Lot (central parking lot) was 70-80% full. By the way, tomorrow, 1/21 (Sun.), is a Kids Ski Free Day where elementary school students receive a free one-day lift ticket.
[East Slope]
　　
＊We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the victims of the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake.

　　　
[Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field Availability Information on 1/20 (Sat.)]
*All Courses are available (=Except for North, DANGAN, SONEZAWA, VIEW B, α)
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00-), and totally 7 lifts.
*Fees … 1 Day Ticket … Adult Weekends & Holidays JPY5,200, Weekday JPY5,000, 6-12 y/o Weekend & Holidays JPY3,200, Weekday JPY3,000, 60-69 y/o JPY4,800, Over 70 y/o JPY4,600 *A preschooler will be free per adult.
　
＊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