REPORT

Just like yesterday, we were blessed with calm, clear skies once more today. On top of the nice weather, conditions were excellent, and the snow let out that perfect powder squeak as I got off the gondola and walked across the slope! Every nook and cranny of the top portion of the South Slope (pictured) was finely pressed corduroy, and I overheard visitors commenting on how perfect the groomed snow looked, and how excited they were to take their first runs.
[South]

the South Slope since 12/25 (Sun.). There are currently four items on hand: a flat box, a 3m table top, a flat pipe, and a down rail (seen in photo). Iwatake is known for the high quality of its park items, and even though it’s only a mini version at the moment, the build quality is predictably great.
[South]

The top portion of the South Slope as well as the East Slope (pictured), featured a moderately firm, groomed packed powder surface, while the snow on the bottom half of the South Slope was packed more tightly. I found it easy to ski in each of those areas. As I made my rounds first thing this morning, I was impressed by the technical and controlled turns linked effortlessly by a high-level rider I spotted on the East Slope.
[East]

Today, above all else, the views of the Ushiro-Tateyama Mountain Range were spectacular. It is certainly not an exaggeration to say that the view from the standalone mountain of Iwatake (1,290 meters above sea level) is the best in Hakuba. The groomed surface of the Sunny Valley course consisted of moderately packed powder all the way down to the midpoint, with harder snow on the last half due to the artificial snow mixed in.
[South]

　
[Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field Availability Information on 12/28 (Wed.)]
*Over half of areas open (=All courses are available except for SAWA C, HIKAGE, DANGAN, Noth, Kamoshika C, Kometuga C, FIVE SIDE)
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00-), 4-sen East, 5-sen South, View 2
*Fees … Adult JPY4,800, Over 60 y/o JPY4,500, Over 70 y/o JPY4,200, 6-12 y/o JPY3,000 (Until 3/19) *A preschooler will be free per adult.

＊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!

reported by Snownavi