REPORT

Since our last report on 12/13 (Fri.), the third major cold front of the season has brought a rapid increase in the official base depth, from 122cm → 160cm → 177cm. By the time operation began at 8:00 this morning, last night’s snowfall had weakened to light flurries. The sun had begun to faintly peek through on the Tsuga-no-mori Slope (pictured), and the smooth, untouched slopes beneath the Tsuga No. 2 Pair Lift were simply irresistible as the lift began moving at 8:20 a.m.!
[Tsuga-no-mori]

Without hesitation, I headed straight to the ungroomed area of Tsuga-no-mori (pictured). The 40cm of fresh, fluffy new snow provided a delightful floating sensation with no bottoming out! On the groomed sections of both the Tsuga-no-mori and Han-no-ki slopes, the well-pressed powder surface was topped with about 1 cm of light, fresh snow, making for an enjoyable, responsive ride and allowing for effortless turns on repeat.
[Tsuga-no-mori]

With the opening of the Shirakaba Slope (pictured, *Note: the Shirakaba Quad Lift is not yet operating) alongside the Gotenba course, Tsugaike Mountain Resort has now reached “mostly open” status, with over 50% of the resort terrain now accessible! Accessing Shirakaba via the forest trail from Han-no-ki, skiers enjoyed a smooth, moderately soft powder snow surface stretching about half the slope’s width that provided comfortable and speedy conditions.
[Shirakaba]

I spoke with a snowboarder visiting from Nagano’s Okaya City (pictured, right), who shared, “I check your reports regularly! I came for the powder today, and after two runs, I can say—it’s absolutely perfect!” By the way, SNOW WOW!, featuring fun activities like Amidas (pictured, third photo background) and Buggy Cruising, is scheduled to open on12/21 (Sat.).
[Shirakaba]

　
[Tsugaike Kogen Details on 12/16 (Mon.)]
*Almost All Areas Available (= Umanose, Champion, Oya-no-hara, Maruyama, Kane-no-Naru-Oka are not open)
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00〜), Han-no-ki High Speed Pair (8:30〜), Han-no-ki No.3 Quad, Tsuga No. 2 Pair
*Fees … 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY7,500, Elementary School Students JPY4,400, Over 60 y/o JPY5,600

*Good Deal! Advance Ticket (Sales Period until 12/22)
Adult 1 Day Ticket JPY7,500 → JPY5,500!
6-12 y/o 1 Day Ticket JPY4,400 → JPY3,400!
Adult 1 Day Ticket + Lunch Ticket JPY1,000 = JPY8,500 → JPY6,300!
6-12 y/o 1 Day Ticket + Lunch Ticket JPY1,000 = JPY5,400 → JPY4,200!

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi