REPORT

Starting this season, the old mogul course at Hakuba Sanosaka is available for rental as a private slope. The fee is \50,000 for a half-day, or \80,000 for a full-day charter (pictured, background). Reservations are required and can be made by calling 0261-75-2452 (the course will only be open to those with reservations.) Last night and this morning strong winds were blowing intermittently in front of JR Hakuba Station.
[Carving Slope]

Those strong winds delayed the start of gondolas and lifts at other area ski resorts, but Sanosaka’s 2nd Quad Lift and 6th Pair Lift started operation on time at 8:30. In fact, thanks to its topography, Hakuba Sanosaka is not easily affected by wind, and the ski resort states, “If the wind is blowing, give Sanosaka a call first!”
[Paradise Slope]

With that said however, I did notice strong winds blowing from time to time around 9:00 this morning, sending snow down from the trees and picking up and swirling around the fresh snow on the early part of the Paradise Slope. Both the Paradise and Carving slopes had moderately firm, groomed powder snow surfaces, giving my edges good grip and enabling me to link comfortable turns! (Pictured here is an instructor with the Kamoshika Snowboard School.)
[Paradise Slope]

The snow surface of the groomed Paradise Downhill course was hard packed and littered with branches and leaves blown in by the wind. I spoke with a skier from Aichi Prefecture (pictured), who said, “I love your site. Hakuba is great, and Hakuba Sanosaka is a fantastic place to practice!” Conditions were also excellent and inviting on the well-maintained Carving Slope.
[Carving Slope]

　　
[ Sanosaka Opening Information for 1/5 (Thu.)]
* All Courses Available!
* Available Lifts … No.2 Quad (8:30 a.m. ―), totally 2 lifts
* Lift Price … 1-day Ticket Adult JPY3,000, 6-12 y/o 1,000JPY, Child: Free

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi