REPORT

With the opening of Kumanoyu at 8:30 a.m. today, 11/25 (Mon.), the winter season has begun at Shiga Kogen! The width of the groomed snow on the now-open lower section of the Second Beginner Course (pictured, approx. 600m in length) is roughly 40m on the top half, and around 20m on the bottom half, which is one of the widest in the country for this time of year. The dry, fresh snow on top was about 1cm deep, and some sun was already shining through the clouds before the start of operation.
[Kumanoyu・Second Beginner Course]

I spoke with a father from Saitama Prefecture (pictured, right), who told me, “I love your site! This is my third time skiing this season, after prior trips to Sayama and Karuizawa. My 5th-grade son took the day off from school, and today we’ve come to ski together. “ I also had a chat with a skier from Toyama Prefecture who commented, ”I love your site! I’ve been waiting for the resort to open. Yesterday, I was checking the official website every half hour, and when they announced the opening, I was so excited!”
[Kumanoyu・Second Beginner Course]

The groomed slope, which was a mixture of natural and artificial snow, was firm but not as hard as straight artificial snow, and the snow was of a quality that made it easy to ski on. The officially announced base was 20 cm, but there was enough plenty of snow from top to bottom, with only a few bushes visible at the beginning of the course. As it was Monday, there was no line for the lift while I was there, and I was able to repeat runs quickly using the Second Pair.
Kumanoyu・Second Beginner Course]

Although Kumanoyu missed out on being Japan’s earliest non-artificial snow slope to open by a day to Kazawa Snow Area, the runs offered more-than-satisfying conditions for the season opener. In related news, Yokoteyama’s Kaiwa Slope (pictured) will open tomorrow, 11/26 (Tue.). There will be free offerings of tonjiru (miso soup with pork) on the Kaiwa Slope starting at 9:00, while supplies last!
[Yokoteyama・Kaiwa Slope]

　　
＊For visitors to Kumanoyu, please use the Kumanoyu Ski Area car park (in front of the bridge at the entrance to the Kumanoyu Hotel) or the Hotaru Onsen public car park (both are free). For the Yokoteyama Kaiwa Slope, please use the Yosaka free car park.　
　
　
[11/25 (Mon.) Opening Information]
＊Open Course(s) … No.2 Beginner Course
＊Open Lift(s) … 2th Pair Lift
＊Lift Fees … Kumanoyu exclusive lift 1day tickets Adults JPY6,200, Elementary School Students JPY3,000, Junior High & High School Students JPY5,900, Seniors 60 and Older JPY5,900

＊Great Value! Super Advanced Discount Lift Tickets (※On Sale Until 12/6)
Yakebitaiyama Adult 1-Day Ticket JPY7,500 → JPY5,000!

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