REPORT

The powerful cold wave of the last few days seems to have finally settled down, and the snow that had been falling until around 7:30 this morning was replaced by patches of blue sky. The top half of the Riesen Slalom Course (pictured), which opened up to skiers and boarders yesterday afternoon, was in good condition with a thin layer of fresh snow on top of the firmly-groomed powder snow surface – just enough to cover the tracks left by the grooming machine.
[Riesen Slalom Course]

The bottom half of Riesen (starting just before the Usuba Slope) was firmer than the top because of a comparitively higher percentage of man-made snow, and I found that my edges were able to hold their grip will. Both the Nakiyama and Shirakaba slopes were sufficiently covered with artificial snow, and I didn’t notice any areas with thin snow cover or exposed brush. However, the snow on the ungroomed Shirakaba slope was noticeably uneven, with small to medium-sized irregular bumps spread across the surface.
[Riesen Slalom Course]

Conditions on the Panorama Course were excellent, with a thin layer of fresh snow topping off the moderately firm, groomed powder snow surface. I met a couple from Saitama Prefecture (pictured) who told me, “Today is the first day of our overnight skiing trip. The snow is soft and really easy to ski!”
[Panorama Course]

This morning the Alpen Quad, Kurobishi 2 Quad, and Skyline 2 Pair were temporarily closed due to strong winds coming in from the west. I chatted with a skier from Kanagawa Prefecture (pictured) who said, “Snownavi! I love your site. I decided to come out and ski since my favorite Riesen Slalom Course is now open for skiing. Riesen is amazing first thing in the morning!”
[Usagidaira Slope]

[Happo-One Opening Information for 12/20 (Tue.)]
Open Course(s) … Panorama Course, Panorama Forest Road Course, Usagidaira, Kurobishi, Skyline, Riesen Slalom, Nakiyama South, Shirakaba South, Central, Olympic Course I, Olympic Course II
Open Lifts … Gondola (8:30～), Panorama Pair, Kokusai 1 Pair, Kokusai 3 Pair, Alpen Quad, Kurobishi Quad, Skyline 2 Pair, Nakiyama Triple, Happo Riesen Quad
*Fees … Adult JPY5,000, 6-17 y/o JPY1,500 (Until 12/23）

＊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!

*Click here to purchase photos found in this report

reported by Snownavi