REPORT

With the Central, Olympic I, and Olympic II courses opening early yesterday, and the Kitaone Course and Sakka Slope opening this morning, Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort is now “fully open,” meaning that 80% or more of the resort’s terrain is open to skiers and snowboarders! Temperatures were brisk this morning, with the mercury dropping below -10℃ at the foot of the mountain, but skies were mostly clear, with only a few thin clouds hovering near the sun.
[Usagidaira]

The groomed snow made that perfect powder squeak as I took my first few steps outside of the gondola! My edges dug deep into the beautifully groomed, moderately firm surfaces on the southern portion of Usagidaira (first photo) and the area alongside the Kurobishi 2 Quad (pictured), enabling some speedy runs and tight turns.
[Kurobishi]

The ungroomed snow in the area paralleling the Kurobishi 3 Pair and on the Skyline Course remained nice and soft, and I found it was easier than I expected to execute smooth, flowing turns. The groomed portion of the Skyline Course (pictured) was also in good condition, with moderately-packed powder snow. The snow was sufficient to completely cover the underbrush, and the skiing was excellent.
[Skyline Course]

The Kitaone Cat Track had a nicely-groomed, packed-powder surface, while the Sakka Slope (pictured) had similar but slightly softer conditions. There were a few areas where the brush was sticking out through the snow on the course that connects the Sakka Wave area at the bottom of the Olympic Course II to the gondola base station, but they didn’t have any effect on my ability to ski. The ungroomed aspects of the Shirakaba Slope were sporting some mogul-like bumps across the surface.
[Sakka]

[Happo-One Opening Information for 12/21 (Wed.)]
*All courses are available. (*Except for Riesen Grat Course, Tenbo Course, Urakuro, Omusubi)
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00 a.m.–),  totally 10 lifts
*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