REPORT

The skies were clear this morning for the first time since 2/17 (Sat.). Thin clouds were spreading over the Northern Alps and to the east, but sunshine reached the slopes on both the Mountain Side and the Village Side of the resort. Many visitors who got off the gondola could be heard exclaiming how beautiful the view was as they stopped to take pictures of the scenery with their smartphones.
[South Slope]

At one point, the officially announced snow depth dropped down to 120 cm, but it has since grown to 140 cm thanks to the intermittent snowfall since 2/22 (Thurs.). The South Slope (pictured) was widely groomed with a firm powder snow base, while the East Slope and Sawa Course were also groomed, but had only moderately firm powder snow surfaces. I was able to link controlled, comfortable turns on each course.
[South Slope]

The IWATAKE SNOW PARK (pictured), located along the South Slope, was very well maintained. The groomed Sunny Valley Course had a moderately packed, powder snow base early on, but turned to wet snow around the junction with the White Ribbon Course. The end of the course had fine-grained granular snow. Despite the changing snow conditions, it was still easy to ski and I was able to ski at a good speed from top to bottom.
[South Slope]

Kamoshika (pictured) and Kometsuga were bustling with students practicing for the 51st Annual National Student Ski Competition (at Iwatake) to be held from 3/3 (Sun.) to 3/8 (Fri.) (*Only the opening ceremony will take place on 3/3.) Both courses were easy to ski with fine-grained groomed granular snow that was well packed, with no thin snow or bushes.
[Kamoshika]

　　　　
[Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field Details on 2/29 (Thu.)]
*All Courses are OPEN (Except for VIEW A・B・C・D)
*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