REPORT

Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort, ranked No.1 for Best Snow Quality last season by Yukiyama, officially opened on 12/14 (Sat.) with 100% natural snow. “Yesterday, the ungroomed Expert Course had fluffy, absolutely perfect powder!” shared a skier visiting from Niigata whom I met at the base of the mountain. As of this morning, all open runs—including the First Slope (pictured), Expert Course, Rinkan Course, and Third Course—had been impeccably groomed and were ready for some great turns.
[Okushiga Kogen・First Slope]

The early morning brought perfectly pressed powder on the groomed Expert Course (pictured, 630m, max 30°, average 23°), where advanced skiers were carving down at full speed. The Third Slope offered slightly softer, yet still nicely packed powder conditions. The snow felt so incredible that I couldn’t resist hopping back onto the Third Rapid Pair Lift for another run.
[Okushiga Kogen・Expert Course]

A couple visiting from Aichi Prefecture (pictured) shared, “We skied at Okushiga for the first time last year and were blown away by the snow quality, so this year we purchased the ‘Mt. 3 Season Pass’ to enable us to enjoy Madarao, Yakebitaiyama, and Okushiga. The weather and snow conditions today are perfect—it’s just amazing!” Additionally, a staff member mentioned, “Other courses will open as soon as preparations are complete. We just have to be a little more patient!”
[Okushiga Kogen・Third Slope]

The First Slope, located at the base of the resort, also featured prime powder conditions! Another couple from Aichi (pictured) told me, “We always follow your updates! Every year around this time, we stay at Hotel Grand Phenix Okushiga for our first runs of the season. The snow quality is excellent right from the start, making it the perfect way to kick off the season.”
[Okushiga Kogen・First Slope]

　　
＊The steep section of the Expert Course can be bypassed via the Rinkan Course.
＊The reported base depth at the top of this report reflects the maximum depth across all of Shiga Kogen. Currently, that highest recorded depth of 70cm is at both Okushiga and Yokoteyama.
　
[Availability Information on 12/15 (Sun)]
*Available Courses … (Yokoteyama) 1st G, 2nd Rinkan, 2nd G, Kaiwa, Yokoteyama-Kumanoyu contact, (Kumanoyu) Umanose, 2nd Beginner, 3rd Rinkan, 3rd Beginner, 4th Beginner, (Takamagahara) Shomen lower, (Ichonose Family) Shomen lower, (Yakebitaiyama) E1 south, B1 panorama, (Okushiga) 1st G, 2nd Expert, 3rd G, Rinkan
*Available Lifts … (Okushiga) 1st pair (8:30～),　2nd pair, 3rd high speed pair, (Yakebitaiyama) 2nd gondra, 4th romance, (Ichonose Family) 2nd pair B-Line, (Yokoteyama) 4th pair, (Kumanoyu) 2nd pair, 3rd Quad, (Takamagahara) Takamagahara 2nd triple
*Fees … 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY6,500, Middle & High school students, over 60 y/o JPY5,900, Under 12 y/o JPY3,200, Yakebitaiyama Adult JPY6,500, Middle & High school students, over 60 y/o JPY5,900 (Until 12/20), Yokoteyama Adult JPY5,600, Middle & High school students, over 60 y/o JPY5,200, Under 12 y/o JPY2,800 (Until 12/20), Kumanoyu only Adult JPY6,200, Middle & High school students, over 60 y/o JPY5,900, Under 12 y/o JPY3,000 (Until 12/20), Shiga Kogen Chuo Area 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY5,000, Under 12 y/o JPY2,500 (Until 12/20)
　
＊Request for the original data of our photographs
　
reported by Snownavi