REPORT

The fluffy snow dancing in the air sparkled as it caught the morning sunlight. “Happy New Year! I’m heading straight for the Olympic Course this morning!” said a skier (pictured) at the front of the line at the No. 1 Gondola base station. As he carved his way down the course, a plume of snow rose dramatically behind him with each turn.
[Yakebitaiyama・Olympic Course]

Today, the No. 1 Gondola began running at 7:50 a.m. for the “First Tracks” event. At 7 a.m., the temperature in the parking lot was a chilly -11.0°C, so cold that I almost didn’t want to step outside. However, the fresh snow was as light as a feather, even at the base. A skier who had finishes the First Tracks session smiled and told me, “That was amazing!”
[Yakebitaiyama・Giant Slalom Course]

The Giant Slalom Course (pictured), was groomed early in the morning and had a beautiful, powder base with just the right amount of firmness, providing an incredibly smooth and enjoyable ride. Around 10cm of new snow had settled on the softly undulating surface along the sides. The Gondola Detour Course at the base of the ski resort (pictured, fourth photo), as well as the Gondola and Middle Contact Courses, were also groomed with similarly packed powder, offering the same pleasant conditions.
[Yakebitaiyama・Giant Slalom Course]

A staff member shared with me, “Yesterday was a bit warmer during the day, but this morning brought the typical cold temperatures of Yakebitaiyama. The YAKEBI COAST course, which will be new this season, is scheduled to open in mid-January. It’s gonna be great.” I’ll speak for myself, but I’m definitely looking forward to hitting the YAKEBI COAST course sometime in January when the conditions are just right!
[Yakebitaiyama・Gondola Detour Course]

　　
＊The reported base depth at the top of this report reflects the maximum depth across all of Shiga Kogen. Currently, that highest recorded depth of 150 cm is at Takamagahara and Okushiga while Yakebitaiyama is reporting 140 cm.

*The amount of snowfall shown is the “largest amount of snowfall in the Shiga Kogen Plateau.Currently, the most snowfall is 100cm at Yakebakuyama and Okushiga, and 90cm at Yokoteyama and Shibu-Toge.

[Shiga Kogen Details on 1/4 (Sat.)]
*All Courses are OPEN!
*Available Lifts … Yakebitaiyama No.1 Gondola (7:50～) and totally 39 lifts
*Fees … 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY8,000, Middle & High school students, over 60 y/o JPY6,400, Under 12 y/o JPY3,700

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi