REPORT

Today, I ran into the owner of YAMANOUCHI COFFEE (pictured, far left) who greeted me saying, “Good morning! I came to ski today since the shop is closed on Thursdays. I bought new skis recently because they were on sale, and today is the first time I get to use them. Our shop opens at 6 a.m. until June, so feel free to stop by!” The shop theme is “a ski café where you can enjoy breakfast all day long,” and it’s located in Shibu Onsen.
[Yakebitaiyama・Panorama Course]

The Panorama Course (first photo) and Shirakaba Course (pictured) had hard packed, groomed granular snow bases. The 3 cm layer of wet new snow on top acted as a cushion, making it feel easier to slide. The South Course (fourth photo), at the base of the ski resort, also had a hard, groomed granular snow surface covered in 1 to 2 cm of fresh wet snow.
[Yakebitaiyama・Shirakaba Course]

By the way, Ichinose Diamond (pictured, right) will stay open until 4/13 (Sun.), while Tannenomori Okojo (pictured, center) will operate until 4/4 (Fri). However, Ichinose Family (pictured, left), Takamagahara Mammoth, and Terakoya are scheduled to remain open all the way until 5/6 (Tue., public holiday), along with Yakebitiyama, Okushiga Kogen, and Kumanoyu! As with my previous visit, it was raining in Nakano City this morning, but started snowing from around the Shiga Kogen Hasuike intersection.
[Ichinose Family・Distant View of Ski Resort]

At Yakebitaiyama, the official Spring Skiing period began on 3/31 (Mon.), with the gondola now starting at 8 a.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. on weekends and holidays. Additionally, a New Model Test Ride event will be held near the base station of the No. 1 Gondola on 4/12 (Sat.) and 4/13 (Sun.). (ID required, free participation)
[Yakebitaiyama・South Course]

　
＊The base depth at the top of this report reflects the maximum depth across all of Shiga Kogen. Currently, the highest recorded depth of 250 cm is at Okushiga, while Yakebitaiyama is reporting 220 cm.
＊The planned final day of operation for each lift can be found here.
　
[Shiga Kogen Details on 4/3 (Thu.)]
*Most Courses are OPEN (=Except for Sunvalley, Maruike, Hasuike, Giant, Higashidateyama, Nishidateyama, Hoppo Bunadaira, Ichinose Diamond, Ichinose Yamanokami, YAKEBI WALL, YAKEBI VALLEY, Yokoteyama Queen No. 5 & 6）
*Available Lifts … Yakebitaiyama No. 1 Gondola (8:30～) and totally 20 lifts
*Fees … 3/31- Spring Fee 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY6,500, Middle & High school students, over 60 y/o JPY5,900, Under 12 y/o JPY3,200

＊Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi