REPORT

As of 12/30 (Fri.), all slopes at Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort are now open with the exception of the Kitaone 3 Slope, which is scheduled to open on 1/14 (Sat.) along with HAPPO PARKS ‘NATURES’, a new snow park in the Kitaone area. In addition to the slopes on the top half of the mountain, the Sakka Slope (pictured) on the lower portion of the resort has plenty of snow, and the wide, flatly-groomed surfaces were in good powder snow condition from top to bottom.
[Sakka Slope]

As was the case yesterday, this morning the upper portion of the resort was cloaked in fog. As for the slopes themselves, both Usagidaira (pictured) and the Kurobishi Slope were in very good groomed condition with moderately firm powder snow surfaces. Around 9:00 visibility improved quite a bit, and I was able to confidently ski with more speed.
[Usagidaira Slope]

I spoke with a ski patroller who introduced me to a female colleague, saying, “She (pictured) will be joining our team as an official patroller on 1/10. She usually runs up and down mountains as a skyrunning athlete.” It seems that this season, a total of five new members will join the patrol staff.
[Usagidaira Slope]

Getting back to the slopes, even if you head to the top of the resort by using the Sakka Kita One Quad, Skyline 2 Pair and Kurobishi 2 Pair, there is a beginner course that will allow you to head back down from the top. That route is as follows: the slope alongside the Kurobishi 2 Pair → the Skyline forest road (pictured) → the Kitaone cat track → Sakka Slope. This morning, however, the groomed surface of the Kitaone cat track was hardpacked.
[Skyline Course]

[Happo-One Opening Information for 1/4 (Wed.)]
*All courses are available!
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00 a.m.-), totally 15 lifts
*Fees … Adult JPY6,500, 6-17 y/o JPY3,200, Over 60 y/o JPY5,800

*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