REPORT

With clear skies forecasted after the recent heavy snowfall, many photographers with tripods were gathered at the base of the mountains this morning. I spoke with a female photographer from Nagano’s Omachi City who commented, “It’s so beautiful. Waking up early was worth it.” Due to radiative cooling, my thermometer showed a frigid -14°C, but when the mountains started glowing red at around 6:25 a.m. (pictured), I forgot all about the cold.
[Distant View of Ski Resort]

Just like the season’s strongest and longest cold wave that lasted from 2/4 (Tue.) to 2/11 (Tue.), the second February cold wave started on 2/17 (Mon.) and lasted an incredible eight days. Having finally passed, today were blessed with an exceptionally clear blue sky, and the slopes are still in fantastic condition, with excellent powder snow. On the perfectly-packed powder snow of the Riesen Slalom Course (pictured), skiers were seen confidently dropping in one after another and quickly picking up speed.
[Riesen Slalom Course]

I met the station master of JR Hakuba Station (pictured, left), who said, “Snownavi! I always check your reports! Today, I brought some young employees along for snowboard practice. All the groomed runs felt great this morning, but early-morning runs on Riesen were especially fantastic. Coming up, I’ll also be taking on the role of event DJ, so I’ll do my best!”
[Shirakaba Slope]

I really enjoyed the moderately firm, groomed powder bases on the run along the Kurobishi Quad, the Skyline Course, and the Kitaone Cat Track. Later, I came across Olympic Course II (pictured), which was covered in large moguls. Needless to say, I couldn’t resist heading back up on the Kokusai 1 Pair to take on the firm, well-formed moguls.
[Olympic Course II]

　　
[Happo-One Details on 2/25 (Tue.)]
*All Courses are OPEN (Except for Riesen Grat)
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00～) and totally 17 lifts
*Fees … 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY8,000, 6-17 y/o JPY4,000, Over 65 y/o JPY7,700

*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