REPORT

Sunvalley, Maruike, and Hasuike are the collective gateway to Shiga Kogen. These three compact ski areas have a total of four lifts between them, but they offer nine varied courses, from the steep and famous Maruike A Course (300 meters in length, maximum slope angle 32 degrees, average 27 degrees) to the super gentle Hasuike A Course. I ran into a group of seven visitors from Gifu Prefecture (pictured), who told me, “It was tough driving on the snow-covered. We’re staying overnight and are excited to enjoy the top-quality snow!”
[Sunvalley・Main Course]

The Sunvalley Main Course (first photo) and Maruike B Course (pictured) had fantastic, moderately firm, groomed powder snow conditions! I observed intermediate and advanced skiers flying down the mountain with quick and controlled turns while beginners were making their way down slowly and cautiously. The resort’s lowest point is 1,415 meters above sea level, so of course, the snow is fine-quality powder!
[Maruike B Course]

The Maruike Second Slope is a 200-meter-long course that fans out from the side of a small hill. The gentle slopes on the north side are groomed, while the south side is left ungroomed (pictured). Although the course length is short, you can repeat powder laps quickly by riding the Maruike Second Pair (132m), which takes only 1 minute and 20 seconds to get back to the top.
[Maruike・Second Slope]

The low-angle beginner slope of the Hasuike A Course (pictured) was groomed with a moderately soft powder snow surface and was topped with a thin layer of light, fresh snow. The Hasuike and Giant ski areas are connected and can be traversed back and forth, and you can even get to the Okushiga area without taking off your skis. This morning, the snow that began yesterday continued to fall at varied intensity. (*Currently, only the Maruike A Course is closed, due to lack of snow.)
[Hasuike・Course A]

　
[Availability Information on 2/2 (Thu)]
*All courses are available (Maruike A, Mt. Nishidate Okabe C, Perfecter C, Philosophy C, LIPS C, Eternal C, Terakoya Connecting C0
*Available Lifts … Housaka First Quad (8:30-) and totally 38 lifts
*Fees … 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY6,500, 13-18 & Over 60 y/o JPY5,600, 6-12 y/o JPY3,200 (Until 3/31)

＊Hotels of Shiga Kogen

＊Click here to purchase photos found in this report
　
　
reported by Snownavi