REPORT

The strongest cold wave of the season, which lasted from the daytime hours of 1/7 (Tue.) until 1/10 (Fri.), has passed, and the first two days of the January three-day weekend were blessed with calm, sunny weather. On today, the final day, the snow which had been coming down hard early in the morning, weakened around 8 a.m. By roughly 8:30 a.m., dense fog began to set in across the slopes. By the way, there are two upcoming long weekends in February: 2/8 to 2/11 and 2/22 to 2/24.
[Warabidaira]

“Nice to see you. We were blessed with great weather yesterday and the day before, and the school was very busy,” commented an instructor from the Cortina Ski School (pictured). The Ipponmatsu Course (pictured) and the Warabidaira Slope had about 5 cm of light new snow on top of firm, wet snow bases that had a powdery feel, allowing for smooth, speedy, and fun runs.
[Ipponmatsu]

The groomed Rabbit (pictured) and Snake courses were in excellent condition as well, with well-packed, “powdery” wet snow topped with 4 to 5 cm of fresh snow. My skis glided smoothly, though the thick fog reduced visibility, making the details of the snow surface had to distinguish. Later, I met a couple from Hokkaido who said, “We took a ferry from Otaru to Niigata to get here. The snow in Hakuba is just as good as Kiroro and Rusutsu!”
[Rabbit]

At the Kids Park, I spoke with a father from Tokyo who said, “We decided to avoid the crowded long weekend and will be staying for two nights at Hotel Green Plaza Hakuba, starting today. My son and I just started building a snowman.” The Mt. Hieda Forest Course, with 3 to 4 cm of light new snow on top of well-packed groomed powder, and the Ikenota Slope, with a moderately firm, groomed wet snow base, both provided excellent conditions for easy skiing.
[Kids Park]

　
[Hakuba Cortina Details on 1/13 (Mon.)]
*All Courses are OPEN (Excpet for Hieda 2, Giant, Itadaira Ridge)
*Available Lifts … No. 2 Quad (8:30～) and totally 6 lifts
*Fees … 1 day ticket Adult JPY5,800, 6-12 y/o JPY3,500, Over 60 y/o JPY5,200, Pre-schoolers FREE

*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