REPORT

This is a wonderful time of year to not only go skiing, but also to enjoy a drive, indulge in the famous hot springs of Akakura Onsen, and partake of the unique and tasty cuisine of Echigo. Red snow crab season just kicked off on 3/1 (Sat.), and you can find plenty at the Marine Dream Nou roadside station, just under an hour’s drive from the ski resort. It’s close enough that you may want to head there for a delicious meal after your skiing session.
[Michi-no-eki Marine Dream Nou]

Temperatures were warm right from the start of the morning, and I worked up a little sweat just by walking from the Kumado shuttle bus stop to the Kumado No. 1 Quad. The groomed Utopia A Course (pictured) had a slightly soft granular snow surface, and around 9:40 a.m., a snowboarder (pictured) glided in and, noticing no tracks, commented, “Oh, no one’s been down yet?” before dropping in.
[Utopia A Course]

Akakura Onsen began its final spring discount operation period yesterday, 3/24 (Mon.), with the Kumado No. 1 Quad and No. Triple lifts in operation, offering access to five slopes: the Panorama Course (pictured), Family Slope, Karamatsu Course, and Utopia A and B. The Panorama Course, Family Slope, and Karamatsu Course were groomed with a thick surface layer of soft granular snow.
[Panorama Course]

I met a father from Niigata City (pictured, right) who told me, “I’ve used Snownavi before! Today is my last day of skiing for the season. The weather and snow conditions are perfect for spring.” By the way, the Yodel and Ginrei areas, which officially closed on 3/23 (Sun.), are not roped off. A member of the patrol staff mentioned, “You can use the slopes to ski downt to the Akakura and Ginrei parking lots, but since we are not conducting grooming, you do so at your own risk.”
[Family Slope]

　　
＊The 2024-2025 Season Countdown Event is ongoing until 11:30 a.m. on the last day of operations, 3/30 (Sun.)!
＊On 3/30 (Sun.), the 6th Annual Akakura Technical Championship will be held on the Panorama Course. Advance email entries are open until 9 p.m. on 3/25 (Tue.).
　
[Akakura Onsen Details on 3/25 (Tue.)]
*Available Courses … Panorama, Utopia A, Utopia B, Family, Karamatsu
*Available Lifts … Kumado No.1 Quad (8:30～), Kumado No.4 Triple (9:00～)
*Fees … 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY4,500, 6-12 y/o JPY1,000, Preschooler Free
　
＊Request for the original data of our photographs
　
　
reported by Snownavi