REPORT

Mid-February to early March is competition season at Iwatake, featuring events like the National Student Iwatake Ski Tournament. Currently, the Shinmai Cup 2025 Hakuba Junior Youth Championship is being held at Kamoshika (pictured) from 2/11 (Tue., holiday) to 2/13 (Thu.). I spoke with a staff member from the Hakuba Iwatake Ski School, which organizes the event, who mentioned, “Today is tough for both the competitors and the course maintenance team.”
[Kamoshika]

The reason for the challenges was the strong winds. A low-pressure system that was at 1,014 hPa yesterday morning rapidly intensified to 986 hPa as it moved northeast, reaching typhoon-like strength (a bomb cyclone!) and causing fierce winds even in the base area. In near whiteout conditions, competitors received encouraging shouts of “Hang in there!” from their teammates as they raced down the slopes.
[Kamoshika]

The moderately firm wet snow bases on the groomed Sunny Valley Course (pictured), Kamoshika, and Kometsuga had a light layer of fresh, slightly moist snow measuring 3 to 5 cm. It felt great to glide through the new snow as my skis easily sliced through it. In the ungroomed areas along the sides, there was about 5 to 6 cm of heavier fresh snow that had accumulated.
[Sunny Valley Course]

Due to the delayed start of the gondola (pictured), there was a 5 to 7 minute wait for the Kamo 1 Pair and Rai Pair lifts. This Sunday, 2/16, is Kids’ Ski Day, with free lift rides all day for elementary school children! Additionally, from 2/14 (Fri.) to 2/16 (Sun.), the 61st Annual Hakuba Junior Ski Competition (alpine events) will be held on Kamoshika.
[Sunny Valley Course]

　 　
＊Due to the Shinmai Cup 2025 Hakuba Junior Youth Championship taking place from 2/11 (Tue., holiday) to 2/13 (Thu.), restrictions are in place on the Kamoshika Racing Course.
　
[Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field Details on 2/13 (Thu.)]
*All Courses are OPEN (Except for North, VIEW A, B, SONEZAWA)
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00-), and totally 7 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