REPORT

The steady snow falling during the day yesterday stopped overnight, giving way to a crisp, clear blue sky this morning. Around 7:15 a.m., while driving to the ski resort, I noticed a roadside sign displaying “-14°C.” As soon as I stepped out of the car to get ready in the parking lot, the biting cold numbed my hands, prompting me to warm them with disposable hand warmers as I made my way to the gondola base station.
[Panorama]

The groomed slopes were in perfect condition, with the snow compacted to the point where it made a satisfying crunch underfoot—ideal powder conditions. The beautifully carved tracks on the Panorama Course were a testament to its exceptional quality! Both the north and south sides of the Kokusai 3 Pair had been groomed all the way to the edges, creating flat and superbly skiable terrain. Skiers, including one who greeted me with a cheerful “I always read your reports!” (pictured), showcased sharp, elegant turns throughout.
[Panorama]

Not only on the steeper groomed slopes, but even on the gentler terrain along the Kurobishi Quad (pictured), applying your edges kicked up impressive sprays of snow like this. The moderately pressed, groomed powder snow surface offered an incredible grip that felt as though my edges were effortlessly holding, making it so easy to ski that it made me feel like I’d suddenly become a pro!
[Kurobishi]

Along the ungroomed steep slopes of the Kurobishi 3 Pair and Alpen Quad, I enjoyed the 10 to 15cm of fluffy new snow atop a soft undulating surface. On the south route of Usagidaira and the Riesen Slalom Course (pictured), the upper to mid sections featured firm, groomed powder snow, while the lower Riesen to Shirakaba Slope had a harder packed groomed surface formed with a mix of artificial snow (with only the area right before the Gondola Base Station remaining ungroomed).
[Riesen Slalom]

　
*Starting tomorrow, 12/21 (Sat.), the Nakiyama No. 3 Triple, Happo Riesen Quad, Sakka Kitaone Quad, Sakka No. 2 Pair, Skyline No. 2 Pair, Shirakaba No. 1 Pair, and Shirakaba No. 2 Pair lifts will begin operation, marking Happo’s transition to “fully open” status (80% or more resort terrain accessible)!
　
[Happo-One Details on 12/20 (Fri.)]
*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