REPORT

The official base depth of 150 cm on opening day, made possible by 100% natural snow, is pretty impressive! Thanks to the abundant powder snow, the No. 2 Quad and No. 4 Pair lifts started running today, 12/14 (Sat.), marking the beginning of the 2024-25 season at Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort. By the way, the line waiting for the No. 2 Quad (pictured) reached all the way to the No. 3 Quad lift station.
[Ikenota]

I ran into Mr. Sato from Monster Cliff, who advised, “A real man stays quiet and goes for Hie 2!” I appreciated, but ignored his advice, and headed straight to the Itadaira Course (pictured), which looked incredibly inviting. The course had a soft base from being grooming a few days ago, with a deep 35 cm layer of fluffy new snow on top, creating an absolutely perfect powder run that had me exclaiming, “This feels amazing!”
[Itadaira]

On the other hand, while Hie 2 had some intense steep terrain and bushes scattered throughout, a skier who had just descended said, “It felt amazing!” with a big smile. Just before the resort opened, the Ikenota Slope (pictured) was groomed, offering a well-packed powder surface where my skis ran smoothly.
[Ikenota]

I spoke with three guests from Niigata and Nagano Prefectures (pictured), who told me, “We always read your reports! Tell your editor to please use our photo in your report!” The woman in the center of the photo (didn’t we meet at Happo?) shared, “We went all out and camped in the car! I woke up to the sound of the snowplows and thought, ‘Wow, the snow’s piled up!’ It really got me excited.” Later, I witnessed this same lady letting out a roar of excitement as she skied down Itadaira.
[Ipponmatsu]

　
*The first person in line at the No. 2 Quad was a skier from Shiga Prefecture. He told me, “I’ve been waiting since 5 a.m. this morning. I can’t bottle up my excitement much longer!”
　
[Hakuba Cortina Details on 12/14 (Sat.)]
*Available Courses … Ikenota, Ikenot arinkan, Hiedayama forest, Hieda mountain 1,2, Itadaira
*Available Lifts … No. 2 Quad, No.4 Pair
*Fees … Off peak 1 day ticket Adult JPY4,000, 6-12 y/o JPY2,500, Pre-schoolers FREE (Until 12/20)

*Print and get a great deal! Discount Coupon!
Adult 1 Day Ticket + JPY1,200 Meal Ticket = JPY8,000 → JPY6,800!
Child 1 Day Ticket + JPY1,200 Meal Ticket = JPY5,200 → JPY4,500!

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi