REPORT

Route 292 (Shiga Kusatsu Kogen Route), which was closed during the winter season, reopened on 4/23 (Wed.). Perhaps as a result, I noticed a lot of cars with license plates from the Kanto region parked in the Yozaka Parking Lot, just a 2 to 3 minute walk from the bottom of the Second Sky Lift. There was still solid snow coverage all the way down to the lowest elevation First Slope at Yokoteyama, with no exposed brush, making for worry-free runs on all courses.
[Yokoteyama・Second Slope]

A local snowboarder (pictured) kindly called out to me telling me he was a fan of Snownavi, before adding, “I was planning to do one run then meet a friend at Shibutoge, but it felt so good that I had to go for another.” On both the First and Second Slopes, the moderately soft, groomed corn snow offered smooth, enjoyable riding.
[Yokoteyama・Second Sky Lift]

I also ended up taking an extra run on the Second Slope before heading over to Shibutoge via the Third Sky Lift. I spoke with the friend of the snowboarder in the second photo after they had met up there, and they shared, “Conditions are smooth, and I’m having a lot of fun!” While the Gemut Course had more visible dirt compared to the Yokoteyama Second Slope, the soft, groomed corn snow still allowed for smooth turns and fast riding.
[Shibutoge・Gemut Course]

I ran into a snowboarding couple (pictured) who told me, “We came to Shibutoge for the first time to check out the Yokote Shibu Springpark, and we were amazed by how clean the snow is. The park is super fun!” One of the park diggers also shared, “We hope lots of people will come and enjoy the park during Golden Week—we’ll be waiting for you!” The park’s final day has been extended from 5/6 (Tue., national holiday) to 5/25 (Sun.), though it’s dependent on snow conditions.
[Shibutoge・Waver Course]

　
＊The Okushiga Kogen Fourth Pair Lift is closed from Monday to Thursday.
＊The base depth at the top of this report reflects the maximum depth across all of Shiga Kogen. Currently, the highest recorded depth of 180 cm is at Takamagahara Mammoth, while Yokoteyama & Shibutoge are reporting 90 cm.
＊The planned final day of operation for each lift can be found here.
　
[Shiga Kogen Details on 4/25 (Fri.)]
*Available Courses … (Okushiga) All courses are OPEN, (Yakebitaiyama) Giant Slalom, Gondola Contact, Gondola detou, Panorama, Panorama course in, East connecting route, South, (Ichinose Family) Front, Teng, Panorama, (Kumanoyu) All courses except 1A and 3A are acceptable, (Yokoteyama) 1st, 2nd, Kaiwa, Jumbo, King, (Shibutoge) Gemut, Weiber
*Available Lifts … (Okushiga) 2nd Rapid Pair, 3rd Rapid Pair, Gondola, 4th Pair, (Yakebitaiyama) No.1 Gondola, No.2 Gondola, (Ichinose Family) Ichinose Quad, 2nd Pair B Line, (Kumanoyu) No.1 Pair, No.2 Pair B Line, (Yokoteyama) 1st Sky B Line, 2nd Sky, 3rd Sky, 4th Pair, (Shibutoge) 1st Romance
*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