REPORT

Yakebitaiyama Resort still has plenty of snow and is scheduled to remain “fully open” (i.e., more than 80% of runs are skiable) until 4/14 (Sun.)! Moreover, the two gondolas and high-speed quad provide fast and efficient access to the 2-kilometer “long course.” And, since the spring discount period started on 4/1, one-day tickets are now discounted to JPY5,000 for adults and JPY4,500 for junior high and high school students when purchased in advance on the web shop. (*Lift tickets are always free for children of elementary school age and younger.)
[Yakebitaiyama・Panorama Course]

This morning, the sky was a spring-like shade of pale blue, and although there were occasional strong gusts of northerly wind, it did not feel cold, and rather – felt very comfortable. I spoke with a family from Shizuoka Prefecture (pictured), who told me, “It’s nice that there’s still so much snow and so many skiable runs in April. The kids have really gotten better over the last two days.” The East Course (pictured) was groomed with a slightly loose, easy-to-ski granular snow surface.
[Yakebitaiyama・East Course]

My edges held well and my skis slid smoothly on the Panorama Course (first photo) and Panorama-In Course, allowing me to make good turns. The South Course (pictured) and East Connecting Course were groomed with slightly loose granular snow surfaces similar to the East Course. Again, my skis slid well and skiing was good here too.
[Yakebitaiyama・South Course]

Let’s go back to the start of the day. The Olympic Course (pictured, upper right), the Middle Contact Course, and the Giant Slalom Course had well-packed, groomed granular snow bases. Please note that Yakebitaiyama will be closed on 4/10 (Wed.), 4/17 (Wed.), and 4/24 (Wed.).
[Yakebitaiyama・Middle Course]

*The Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel is currently running a “Spring Trip Time Sale” until 4/6 (Sat). As an example, a twin room in the East Wing for two starts at only JPY11,026 yen per person (excluding dinner and breakfast).

*The snow depth listed at the top of this report is the highest reported throughout the Shiga Kogen area. Currently, that amount of 225 cm is at Kumanoyu, while the official amount for Yakebitaiyama is 170 cm.

[Availability Information on 4/2 (tue.)]
*Available Courses … (Yakebitaiyama)
Giant Slalom, Gondola Contact, Olympic, Super Giant Slalom, Panorama, Panorama In, Karamatsu, Middle Contact, East, Middle, South and totally 48 Courses
*Available Lifts … Okushiga Gondola (8:30-) and totally 14 lifts
*Fees … 4/1- Spring Discount 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY6,500, Middle & High school students, over 60 y/o JPY5,900, Under 12 y/o JPY3,200

*Request for the original data of our photographs
　
　
reported by Snownavi