Goryu & 47 / ◎300cm / Snowy2021.Jan.08
Thanks to the heavy snows falling consistently since yesterday afternoon, the base at the top of the resort finally reached a significant milestone — 300cm! I made it to the foot of the mountain at 8:15 a.m., without knowing for certain when the Goryu Telecabine gondola would be able to begin operation, and found almost no one around. A guest residing in Hakuba (pictured) pointed out that, “For locals it doesn’t mean so much but for those living in one of the designated areas, the government’s most recent emergency declaration certainly is having an impact.”
[Toomi Area]
Though the morning temperature of -12℃ matched the season’s low set on New Year’s Eve, the lack of wind had it feeling warmer than the thermometer seemed to suggest. Off to skier’s right of the groomed Straight Whiskey course there was between 10 to 15cm of new snow, while the ungroomed left side (pictured) had up to 30cm of fresh. The excellent quality of the powder meant that both the groomed and ungroomed areas were exceptionally enjoyable.
[Straight Whiskey Course]
A dusting of around 5cm of fresh snow covered the groomed surfaces of the Powder Snow and Soft Cream courses, while the overall conditions and snow quality of the Toomi area were so good that I’d almost swear they were the best they’ve been in the last 10 years. I was impressed by how effortlessly the beginners were executing their snow plough turns.
[Powder Snow Course]
On frigid mid-winter days like today, having a warm and conveniently-located facility like Escal Plaza, with its collection of 6 restaurants and cafes and assortment of shops, rentals and even an onsen (hot spring), can be a huge help. The building will open its doors daily from 5:30 a.m. until 3/31 (Wed.), and the Subway Sandwich shop located inside starts serving food at 7:00 a.m. In the end, the delayed Telecabine was finally able to start moving around 10:00 a.m.
[Escal Plaza]
[Availability Information for Jan. 6]
* All Courses Available (Except for Adventure Course. Merryland Course)
* Available Lifts … Telecabin (8:15 a.m.－), Line-8 (8:00 a.m.－) totally 12 lifts
* Lift Price … Adult: JPY5,500, Child: JPY2,900, 60–79 y/o: JPY4,500, 13–17 y/o: JPY4,000, Under 6 y/o and Over 80 y/o: Free
* Night Skiing … Until Mar. 21: 6 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Toomi Slope Adult: JPY2,500, Child: 1,300 (Closed on Wednesdays)
* Sunrise Skiing … Every weekend Dec. 16 – Jan. 3 and Jan. 9 – Mar. 28: 7 a.m.– Toomi Slope Available with 1-day ticket
*Request for the original data of our photographs
