SNOW CONDITION
230cm
230cm
65cm
55cm
150cm / Snow Clouds
Today I had a chat with a snowboarder from Nagano’s Ueda City (pictured), who shared, “I love Snownavi! The new gondola is quiet, offers great views, and has a very smooth ride.” Around the start of business at 8:00 a.m., there were faint glimpses of blue sky, but later on, snow began to be carried in on the northern wind, and the area became enveloped in thick fog.
[South]
The East Slope (pictured) had a well-groomed, moderately soft powder snow surface topped with 1cm of fresh snow, and offered excellent, easy-to-ski conditions. A snowboarder from Azumino City (pictured) commented, “I always read your reports! I’m a season pass holder at Iwatake. The new gondola is great because it’s so easy to board and disembark.”
[East]
The South Slope (pictured), with its groomed, moderately firm powder base, was also obscured by thick fog. The slope itself was in excellent condition, but its vastness made it easy to get disoriented without a clear view of landmarks. In contrast, VIEW C and VIEW D were easier to navigate, as the trees lining both sides served as useful markers, and the fog was lighter in those areas, making for smoother skiing.
[South]
I broke through the fog near the junction with the White Ribbon Course, and the views finally opened up. The groomed Sunny Valley course featured a moderately firm powder surface from the start to the middle sections, with firmer, artificial snow mixed in toward the end. A pair of sisters from England (pictured) told me, “We had so much fun in the powder on White Ribbon. We’re staying in Hakuba for two weeks with our family and exploring various ski resorts.”
[Sunny Valley]
[Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field Details on 12/24 (Tue.)]
*Available Courses … South, East, View C, View D, Sunny Valley, White ribbon
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00-), 4-sen East (8:15-), 5-sen South (8:15-), View 2 (9:00-)
*Fees … Special In-Season Rates 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY5,000, 6-12 y/o JPY2,500 *A preschooler will be free per adult.
