REPORT

After the completion of reform work to a section of the Iwatake-no-yu onsen (hot spring) facility this season, the “Kuromoji Sauna” (pictured) is now open. Wood from Kuromoji, a deciduous shrub from Nagano Prefecture whose branches are used to make high-quality toothpicks, is used in the sauna, giving it a deep herba-like aroma. Next to the sauna, which has a maximum temperature of 98°C, there is a cold water bath with water that stays around 12°C.
[Iwatake-no-yu]

The Mountain Side of the resort was shrouded in thick fog, and slightly wet snow was falling lightly with almost no wind to speak of. The South Slope (pictured) was groomed with a firm, wet snow surface that my skis slid across well, but the poor visibility made it difficult to tell where I was skiing without any obvious landmarks.
[South Slope]

In other news, the IWATAKE SNOW PARK is closed between 2/7 (Tue.) and 2/9 (Thurs.) in order to undergo a major rebuild, and I’m definitely looking forward to its re-opening the day after tomorrow, 2/10 (Fri.). Around 8:30 a.m., the fog finally melted away and visibility improved greatly.
[South Slope]

I was worried when I saw a forecast from last week that called for rain today, but thankfully it turned out to be snow. Moreover, I was surprised to see that the trees near the top of the mountain were covered in a thin layer of rime ice. Both VIEW D (pictured) and the East Slope were groomed with moderately firm, wet snow surfaces. On the Sunny Valley Course, the well-packed, groomed wet snow was generally easy to ski, although there were a few hard spots here and there.
[VIEW D]

　　
[Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field Availability Information on 2/8 (Wed.)]
*All courses are available. (*Except for North)
*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!

*Click here to purchase photos found in this report

reported by Snownavi