REPORT

This morning I was treated to an extraordinary view of the full moon, the morning alpenglow, a layer of hoarfrost on the trees, and a sea of clouds (pictured); just a few short hours after a rare celestial event not seen in 442 years in which a total lunar eclipse occurred simultaneously with a lunar occultation (eclipse) of Uranus. Today, Yokoteyama Ski Resort became just the 4th ski resort in the nation to open for the season, and the first with natural snow.
[Yokoteyama Drive-in]

A dusting of snow fell overnight near the summit of Mt. Yokote, resulting in a thin layer of fresh snow not only on the slopes themselves, but also on the side of the road leading to the Mt. Yokote Drive-in. After an 8:20 opening ceremony that included a demonstration run by former Olympian Toshihiro Kaiwa, the 4th Pair Lift began operation at 8:45. The open Kaiwa Slope (pictured) ranges between 14 and 40 meters wide, and had between 30 and 60cm of snow covering it – more than enough.
[Yokoteyama Ski Resort・Kaiwa Slope]

I spoke with a group of 4 snowboarders from Aichi Prefecture who commented, “It’s incredible to be able to snowboard on this kind of snow this early in the season!” I heard from another skier from Gunma who told me that it was his first day of the season, and that he had come from Kusatsu Onsen via the Shibu-toge (mountain pass).
[Yokoteyama Ski Resort・Kaiwa Slope]

The early morning snow was compact and hard enough that you really had to work to keep your edge, but by around 10:00 the surface began to warm and loosen, making it easier to ski. I had a conversation with a staff member who told me, “We’re very happy that resort was able to open before the Shiga-Kusatsu Kogen road is closed down for the winter.” Shig Kogen’s nearly half-year long winter has begun! (Pictured are two members of the All-Japan mogul team.)
[Yokoteyama Ski Resort・Kaiwa Slope]

[11/9 (Wed.) Opening Information]
＊Open Course(s) … Kaiwa Slope
＊Open Lift(s) … 4th Pair Lift (8:45〜)
＊Lift Fees … Yokoteyama・Shibutoge Early Season 1-Day Ticket Adults JPY4,800, Junior High & High School Students・Seniors 60 and Older JPY4,400, Elementary School Students JPY2,500

＊Great Value! Super Advanced Discount Lift Tickets (※On Sale Until 12/2)
Yakebitaiyama Adult 1-Day Ticket JPY6,000 → JPY3,900!

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi