REPORT

I heard a group of visitors from Australia (pictured) exclaiming, “WOW! Beautiful!” when they saw the immaculately groomed slopes and incredible scenery from the top of the resort. I later spoke to a patrolman who mentioned that the number of international visitors to Iwatake has been increasing recently. Today was the third sunny day in a row, but the morning temperature was milder than yesterday, making it feel more comfortable.
[East Slope]

The wide, evenly-groomed East Slope (pictured) and South Slope both had moderately firm, powder snow surfaces that squeaked when you walked on them. My edges held well, and I was able to ski and enjoy fast runs with confidence. During the first 30 minutes of operation, most visitors were heading to the South Slope, and the Downhill Course, so perfect, undisturbed corduroy remained on the East Slope for a long time.
[East Slope]

Then top half of the groomed Sunny Valley Course had moderately firm powder snow surfaces, while the last part of the course (= Paradise) and the Kamoshika Course (pictured) were even firmer and easier to ski. An instructor with the Hakuba Iwatake Snowboard School told me, “I love your site. We have a lot of lesson booked, mainly for groups on weekdays and for individuals on weekends and holidays. We do still have openings, so we welcome anyone who’d like to sign up!”
[Kamoshika Course]

I had a conversartion with diggers from the IWATAKE SNOW PARK, who told me they were fans of Snownavi, and that they will be building a terrain park on the South Slope between 1/16 (Mon.) to 1/20 (Fri.), and plan to open it on 1/21 (Sat.). They also mentioned that they were planning to keep the wave section that is currently here. In other news, elementary school students will receive free lift tickets this weekend on 1/15 (Sun.) during the Kids Ski Free Day.
[South Slope]

　
[Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field Availability Information on 1/13 (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