REPORT

Despite an overall shallow snow depth, the first two days of the second three-day weekend in February were marked by fresh snowfall and modest accumulation. There were thick clouds in the eastern sky this morning, but overall the weather was calm. As of 9:00 a.m., the central parking lot was 90% full and there was a long line for the gondola at the gondola base station. However, I was able to board the Chuo Kosoku (Central High-Speed) Pair with almost no wait, and smoothly access the Mountain Side of the resort (pictured).
[South Slope]

The South Slope (pictured) was groomed with a fine-grained granular snow surface that was moderately firm and incorporated some of the freshly fallen snow. There were some hard patches, but overall my edges gripped the surface well and I found it easy to ski. The majority of visitors headed down to the gondola base station first thing in the morning, which meant that the South Slope was relatively empty.
[South Slope]

The East Slope (pictured) and the Sawa Course were groomed with well-packed coarse snow surfaces. The area in front of the Sawa lift station was hard-packed, but in general, I was able to comfortably and enjoyably ski at speed. The ungroomed areas had a hard uneven base, but the 5 to 10 cm of soft new snow from the day before yesterday provided a nice cushion that made them easier to manage.
[East Slope]

More than anything, the frost-covered trees on the Mountain Side of the resort were magnificent. The trees were caked in ice from the freezing rain that fell on 2/21 (Wed.) and further layered with hoarfrost, causing the branches to hang heavy like weeping cherry blossoms, creating a unique atmosphere. The start of the Sunny Valley Course had a firm, groomed granular snow base, that hardened more from the middle to the end. (*The opening of the View 2 Lift was delayed due to work to remove a fallen tree.)
[5sen South]

　　　
[Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field Availability Information on 2/24 (Sat.)]
*All Courses are OPEN (Except for North)
*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