REPORT

In this report, we’ll continue our introduction of the Usagidaira slope. Recent steady snowfall has made untouched powder slopes a regular sight. This morning, as I set out to cover Sodeguro (on the northern side of the Alpen Quad), dry snow was falling gently on the slopes. As the Alpen Quad lift (pictured) got started ten minutes later than scheduled, I hopped on to start my adventure.
[Usagidaira]

Skiing onto the ungroomed steep slope at Sodeguro (pictured), the snow here was untouched just like under the Alpen Quad. There was 30 to 35cm of fresh snow that had been slightly packed by last night’s wind, which provided good float while still maintaining a soft feel! As more and more people began to drop in, the area was filled with cheers and plumes of snow rising upwards.
[Usagidaira]

That said, people tend to hit Sodeguro a little later compared to the Alpen Quad area. For those looking to enjoy the powder on Usagidaira, starting with a first run along the Alpen Quad, followed by a second run on Sodeguro makes for a great routine. Since most people head right, toward the Alpen Quad lift station, from the point pictured here, the powder at the end of Sodeguro often remains untracked for quite some time.
[Usagidaira]

The Panorama Course (pictured), had a well-pressed, groomed powder snow surface with a light 2 to 5cm layer of fresh snow, and I hear a group of five visitors from Shizuoka’s Hamamatsu City (also pictured) shouting their excitement as they boarded down. They also kindly commented, “We read your reports regularly!” On the Central Course, where 15 to 20cm of fresh snow had accumulated, the snow became noticeably heavier with moisture as I skied further down.
[Panorama Course]

[Happo-One Details on 12/18 (Wed.)]
*Almost All Areas Available (= Riesen Grat, URAKURO, OMUSUBI, Skyline, Kitaone No.3, Upper Kitaone, Kitaone New Course, Kitaone Cat Track, Nakiyama, Sakka are not open)
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00～), Panorama Pair, Kokusai No.3 Pair, Alpen Quad, Kurobishi Quad
*Fees … Early Season 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY5,000, Over 65 y/o JPY4,500, 6-17 y/o JPY1,500 (Until 12/20)
　
*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi