REPORT

The year-end cold wave that arrived on 12/26 (Thu.) had subsided, and by early morning there were blue skies overhead. However, by the time I got off the gondola , which started at 8:00 a.m. as scheduled, clouds had spread across the sky, and a weak but very cold northwesterly wind was blowing, making it quite chilly. As expected for the year-end holiday period, there was a long line at the gondola base station by around 7:45 a.m.
[Panorama]

As for the snow conditions, the groomed slopes featured perfect powder snow that made that satisfying squeaky sound underfoot! On the moderately firm, groomed Panorama Course (pictured), my edges gripped the slope as if they were glued to it. As people skied past me, I heard comments like “This feels great!” and “This groomed snow is amazing!”
[Panorama Course]

Above Usagidaira, strong winds caused a delay in the operation of the Alpine Quad and the lifts above the Skyline 2 Pair. The Panorama Forest Road traverse course (pictured) also had a nicely packed, groomed powder snow surface. I was able to ride smoothly and enjoyably at high speed on the firmer groomed bases of Olympic Course II and the Sakka Wave.
[Panorama Course]

I spoke with a couple from Shizuoka Prefecture, who told me, “We always read your reports! We finished our year-end cleaning and came out to ski for the day. The snow is great all the way to the bottom. Since the upper lifts are stopped, we’re enjoying a relaxing time on the Shirakaba Slope.” The groomed Shirakaba Slope (pictured) and Sakka Slope were also in perfect condition, with nicely firm powder snow!
[Shirakaba]

　
*Tomorrow, 12/31 (Tue.), the “Countdown Event 2024-2025” will be held at the Nakiyama Slope!
*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., and is JPY7,000 each for the first 30 general participants, and JPY3,000 each for the first 30 season pass holders.
　
[Happo-One Details on 12/30 (Mon.)]
*All Courses are available (Except for Kitaone New, HAPPO PARKS)
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00～) and totally 18 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