REPORT

With persistent cold temperatures, rime ice continues to cover the trees on the Mountain Side of the resort. The South (pictured) and East slopes were in excellent condition and impressively easy to ski, with moderately firm, groomed powder snow surfaces. I especially enjoyed making wide, sweeping turns on the expansive South Slope.
[South Slope]

Although it was a weekday, the summit area was bustling with a crowd reminiscent of the weekend at around 9:30. Just after the opening of the ski resort, the majority of visitors seemed to head for the South Slope (pictured), and the runs headed back down to the base of the mountain, leaving the East Slope pleasantly empty. The East Slope is also a great place to ski laps while waiting for the VIEW courses to open at 9:00.
[South Slope]

The Yoo-Hoo! Ice Slider is a new, free activity this season and part of the IWATAKE WHITE PARK located at the top of the mountain. The slide is unique in that it uses a sled on a course built from blocks of ice. I spoke with a mother from Kanagawa Prefecture, who told me, “I came to Iwatake for the first time with my children (pictured), who are back home from studying abroad on a remote island during the winter vacation.” (I didn’t know there was such a thing as studying abroad on a remote island.)
[IWATAKE WHITE PARK]

My skis slid well on the Sunny Valley Course, which had a firmly groomed snow surface right from the beginning. The surface of the area beyond the steep slope at the end of the course (the former Paradise Slope), was even harder, forcing me to pay more attention to my edges. In other news, the resort parking lot was about 70% full just after 10:00, as if it were a weekend. Perhaps many people have arrived early for the three-day weekend that starts tomorrow.
[Sunny Valley Course]

[Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field Availability Information on 1/6 (Fri.)]
*All courses are available. (*Except for SAWA C, HIKAGE, DANGAN, North, VIEW α)
*Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00-), totally 6 lifts
*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