REPORT

Starting today, the Sawa Lift and Kamo 1 began operating, and with the opening of Kamoshika (pictured), Kometsuga, the Sawa Course, and HIKAGE, Hakuba Iwatake Snowfield has reached “fully open” status (80% or more terrain open). The groomed Kamoshika Course featured a packed powder surface topped with about 20 cm of fresh, fluffy snow, offering perfect conditions. A skier who was the first to ride the course (pictured) shared, “I always follow your reports! The fresh snow feels amazing.”
[Kamoshika]

After a slight delay for maintenance, the gondola began operating at 8:40 a.m. Upon disembarking, I found dry snow falling steadily on the Mountain Side. The South Slope featured a moderately firm, groomed powder base with about 20 cm of new snow, while the ungroomed areas to the sides (pictured) boasted 30 to 40 cm of fresh powder! Whether on the groomed runs or in the ungroomed sections, the fluffy snow provided an incredibly enjoyable experience.
[South Slope]

The ungroomed steep slope beneath the 5sen South Lift, known as FIVE SIDE (pictured), was blanketed in about 40 cm of fluffy fresh snow, and the area echoed with cheers from skiers and snowboarders. A skier from Australia, whom I rode the lift with, commented, “It’s rare to get snow this good in Australia. The snow in Hakuba is absolutely amazing and so much fun!”
[FIVE SIDE]

The South Slope (pictured) soon became lively with the bustling atmosphere typical of the year-end and New Year holiday season. On the Sunny Valley Course, which was groomed with firm powder snow and topped with 5 to 10 cm of fresh snow, riders could enjoy the exhilarating feeling of carving at speed. As of 9:45 a.m., the Central Parking Lot was about 80% full (check the linked page for real-time parking availability).
[South Slope]

　 　　
[Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field Details on 12/28 (Sat.)]
*All Courses are available (=Except for North, VIEW A, B, DANGAN, SONEZAWA)
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00-), and totally 6 lifts.
*Fees … Special In-Season Rates 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY5,000, 6-12 y/o JPY2,500 *A preschooler will be free per adult.

＊Printable Rental Discount Coupons!
Carving Ski・Snowboard 1-Day Rental Set JPY3,000 / Outerwear JPY2,500!
Carving Ski・Snowboard High Performance Model Rental JPY500 OFF!
Kid’s Ski・Snowboard 1-Day Rental Set JPY2,500 / Outerwear JPY1,500!

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi