REPORT

Wait… what’s going on here? It turns out the “Happo Kotatsu Cafe” appeared outside today at Kitaone Kogen (elevation 1,200 m), which is accessible by the Kitaone Sakka Kitaone Quad! I thought it would be set up indoors, but instead, kotatsu (heated tables) have been placed directly on the slopes. I spoke with a couple from Suzaka City (pictured), who mentioned, “This is our first time experiencing anything like this. The kotatsu is really starting to warm us up.”
[Kitaone Kogen]

I lifted the blanket to take a look underneath, and found a hard aluminum table under the foldable table (though you can relax comfortably in the cozy chairs). The heat comes from hot water bottles (pictured) placed on a rack attached to the underside of the aluminum table. I was a bit skeptical about whether it would really work in the snow, but when I put my hand inside, it was indeed starting to warm up.
[Kitaone Kogen]

On the opening day of the Kotatsu Cafe, mandarin oranges, coffee from Coffee Senjeu, Hakuba Happo-One Original Blend (pictured), and yuzu tea were served. Additionally, on 1/19 (Sun.) and 1/26 (Sun.), the Japanese sake “Kurobishi” will be served (※ served from 11 a.m., limited quantities). At the Kitaone Kogen Terrace, takeout options such as hot coffee and hot wine are also available for purchase.
[Kitaone Kogen Terrace]

By the way, everyone, I need to apologize for jinxing us. In my report yesterday, I mentioned that there hadn’t been a single rainy day yet this season, and of course, this morning the base area experienced some light rain. Anyway, the groomed snow on the Sakka Slope today was packed with firm, wet snow.
[Sakka ]

　
*The Kotatsu Cafe uses a new product from Alpen Outdoors called the “Kotatsu Unit.”
*Kitaone Kogen is accessible to non-skiers as well. Access is via the Kitaone Quad (pictured), which takes about 10 minutes. (The cost is JPY2,500 for adults and JPY1,500 for high school students and younger, running from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekends.)
*Free for those with a one-day lift pass or similar ticket.
*On weekends and holidays between 1/4 (Sat.) and 3/2 (Sun.), the “HAPPO First Tracks” event will be held, allowing you to ski the first run of the day on the Riesen course. The event kicks off at 7:30 a.m., JPY7,000 each for the first 30 general participants, JPY3,000 each for the first 30 season pass holders.
　
[Happo-One Details on 12/26 (Thu.)]
*All Courses are available (Except for Riesen Grat, Kitaone, HAPPO PARKS)
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00～) and totally 13 lifts
*Fees … 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY8,000, 6-17 y/o JPY4,000, Over 65 y/o JPY7,700

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi