REPORT

Who could have predicted that the season would be blessed with so much snow right from the start, especially after such a warm October? After my last report, the planned 12/14 (Sat.) opening of Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort was confirmed. This morning, I started walking at 8 a.m. to check the snow conditions and headed down to the bottom of the Itadaira Course.
[Ikenota]

The snow that had been falling since last evening until early this morning stopped, and the weather cleared up as the day began. However, a strong, cold northeast wind made it feel colder than the actual temperature. As I enjoyed the feel of the fluffy powder snow, I reached the beginning of the Ikenota Slope (pictured), where I was greeted by the frost and abundant snow covering the Mt. Hieda Course 1 and the Itadaira Course.
[Ikenota]

There was about 20 cm of new snow at the beginning of the Ikenota Slope, and since the lower layers had turned into firm base snow I couldn’t dig all the way to the ground, but I still measured around 70 cm. On the surface, there were areas where the wind had created patterns along with small animal footprints (pictured). The Ipponmatsu Course, which was heavily affected by the wind, had a crusty, crisp texture.
[Ikenota]

I spoke to a member of the the patrol team, who told me, “We’re looking forward to another season! On opening day, we plan to operate the No. 2 Quad and No. 4 Pair lifts. Once the other details of the opening are finalized, we’ll announce them on our official Facebook and Instagram tomorrow, 12/13 (Fri.).” Grooming started as clouds from the west began to move in, casting shadows over the Ikenota Slope (pictured).
[Ikenota Slope]

*Frequent snow removal is conducted on Route 148 and the approach to the ski resort, but there are areas where the road may be icy and slippery, so please use caution.
*The 2024-25 winter season at Hakuba Cortina is scheduled to run from 12/14/2024 to 3/30/2025.

*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