REPORT

The current winter weather system, responsible for copious amounts of snowfall across the area, also brought strong winds to Happo and the center of the HAKUBA VALLEY. However, I never expected that lifts on the upper half of the ski resort would remain closed for more than 3 days after initially shutting down around noon on 12/23 (Fri.). Again today, all ll I could do was to change my mindset, and head for the steep, ungroomed Olympic Course II on the lower half of the mountain.
[Olympic Course II]

The Olympic Course II (pictured) had about 20 cm of light, new powder, and while beginners and intermediate skiers struggled with the hard, uneven surface below the fresh snow, advanced skiers were able to navigate it smoothly. Snow stopped falling about 30 minutes after the opening of the resort, and only occasional light snow flurries occurred afterwards.
[Olympic Course II]

I was able to execute comfortable and controlled turns on Sakka Wave (pictured), the Sakka Slope, and the Kitaone Cat Track, where 2 to 3cm of fresh, dry snow topped the groomed, packed powder surface. On the steep aspect of the Kitaone Course, I found around 15 to 20cm of light, new snow covering the moderately firm moguls that had formed there.
[Olympic Course II]

Well-packed moguls covered almost the entire surface of the Olympic Course I (pictured), and there, as well as on the Kokusai Slope and the Central Course, I again enjoyed the feeling of the 15 to 20 cm of fluffy fresh snow. It was packed-powder conditions on the groomed Shirakaba Slope, and there is now enough snow to completely cover the bushes, so skiers and boarders are able to pass through without any concerns.
[Olympic Course I]

[Happo-One Opening Information for 12/26 (Mon.)]
*All courses are available. (*Except for Riesen Grat Course, Tenbo, Urakuro, Omusubi)
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00 a.m.–),  totally 10 lifts
*Fees … Adult JPY6,000, 6-17 y/o JPY3,200円, Over 58 y/o 5,800円

*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