REPORT

Take a look at the reports from 12/15 (Sun) through today, and you’ll see the harsh yet breathtakingly beautiful scenery unique to Shiga Kogen! However, on days like this morning with a fierce blizzard raging, the cold is no joke. At Giant, the Shiga Kogen area’s lowest elevation resort (though the base still sits at an impressive 1,334m), fine, dry snow was falling densely, carried by an icy north wind.
[Giant・Giant Slope]

The early section of the Giant Slope (pictured), with its gentle gradient and moderately firm, groomed powder snow surface, was topped with about 3vcm of fresh, silky powder. From the steeper midsection through to the end, the slope featured firmer, slightly damp snow, likely due to lighter snow being carried away by the wind. The excellent snow conditions were evident with every turn underfoot.
[Giant・Giant Slope]

After taking a break on Nishidateyama’s 1st Hoodie Quad, I met a couple from the local area at the summit (pictured). They shared, “We love the great snow quality at Shiga Kogen, so we always come to ski here. Today, we started at Sun Valley, then hit Hasuike, Giant, and Nishidateyama. Next, we’ll be heading towards Takamagahara, Tanne-no-Mori, and Ichinose Family as we ski our way around.”
[Nishidateyama・Takamagahara Slope]

On the Intermediate Upper Course, half of the slope was groomed (pictured) with about 5 cm of light, fresh powder on top. The other half, which was ungroomed, had about 10 cm of freshly fallen snow that had been compacted by strong winds and offered a nice, floaty sensation. On my way back to the Giant parking lot, I ran into Kevin from Yamanouchi Town, who said, “Oh, it’s Snownavi! It was pretty cold today, right? Be sure to stop by the newly opened YAMANOUCHI COFFEE in the Shibu Onsen area.”
[Nishidateyama・Intermediate Lower 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 Okushiga, while Nishidateyama is reporting 50cm, and Giant 60 cm.
　　
[Shiga Kogen Details on 1/10 (Fri.)]
*All Courses are available (Except Maruike A, YAKEBI COAST, YAKEBI WALL, Kumanoyu Second A, Yokoteyama Kaiwa）
*Available Lifts … Nishidateyama Quad. (8:30 ～) and totally 33 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