REPORT

It was a foggy morning with intermittent drizzle for the 46th/47th SIA Alpine Ski Demonstrator Qualifying Competition, which is being held on the Ichinose Family Front Slope (pictured) from 4/2 (Tue.) to 4/4 (Thu.). (*The snowboard and telemark ski competitions are also being held at the same time.). I saw a number of athletes taking their time and inspecting the course and its 23 gates.
[Ichinose Family・Front Slope]

I spoke with Yukina Yoshimura (pictured), who is the vice principal of Blossom Ski and Snowboard School at Gransnow Oku-Ibuki, and she told me, “This is my third time to enter this event. I’m trying hard not to be intimidated by the steep slopes. The snow surface has been hardened with ammonium sulfate, so it’s quite easy to ski.” The rest of the Front Slope, outside of the special competition area was groomed with a loose, granular snow surface.
[Ichinose Family・Front Slope]

Morning turnout for non-competition skiers was low, and I was able to enjoy some relaxed runs on the Panorama Course (pictured) and Tengu Course first thing this morning, thanks in part to the soft, groomed granular snow surface that my skis slid well across. Around 9:30 a.m., there were groups of elementary school students having a good time taking ski lessons.
[Ichinose Family・Panorama Course]

The ungroomed Perfecta course (pictured) had a granular snow surface that my edges sunk into deeply. As of 4/1 (Mon.) Ichinose Family is scheduled to operate daily until 5/6 (Mon., holiday), while the other central area Shiga resorts of Ichinose Diamond, Terakoya, and Takamagahara will be open every weekend and during Golden Week. On Saturdays and Sundays, you can ski to and from the four ski resorts, and you can also ski across Tannenomori Okojo.
[Ichinose Family・Perfecta Course]

*The snow depth listed at the top of this report is the highest reported throughout the Shiga Kogen area. Currently, that amount of 215 cm is at Kumanoyu, while the official amount for Ichinose Family is 150 cm.

　
[Availability Information on 4/4 (Thu.)]
*Available Courses … (Ichinose Family) Front, Panorama, Perfecta, Tengu and totally 49 Courses
*Available Lifts … Ichinose Quad(8:30-) and totally 16 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
　
reported by Snownavi