Happo-One / △110cm / Sunny2021.May.04
After a string of persistent poor weather ranging from rain (Apr. 28–29) and strong winds (Apr. 30), to lightning (May. 1) and light snow (May. 2) and back to strong winds May. 3) again, we were finally blessed with a return of calm, sunny skies today. A group of 3 skiers (pictured) got my attention by calling out to me saying, “We’re big fans of your site!” They continued to tell me, “This morning we put our boards in line for the gondola at 5 a.m.” A prudent move, considering there was an hour and a half wait to board the gondola around 10:00 a.m.
[Kurobishi]
I found my ski edges biting deep into the loose, groomed granular snow surface along the Kurobishi No. 2 Quad (pictured). Over on the (in)famous steep mogul slope (pictured) paralleling the Kurobishi No. 3 Pair, there seemed to be around 2cm of fresh, damp snow. Below the Alpen Quad lift, as well as the area to skier’s right, there were spots amongst the deep and irregular moguls where bare ground was exposed.
[Kurobishi]
I spent some time talking to a group of 4 skiers (pictured) visiting from all over Japan. They said that they loved our site, and continued by telling me that they originally met through the Happo-One Ski School’s Super Kids School program. Their parents chimed in to mention, “Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow, so we’re going to ski our hearts out today.”
[Riesen Grat Course]
Since our last report the Skyline Course and Skyline No. 2 Pair (Apr. 26), as well as Urakuro (Apr. 29) and the Kokusai No. 1 Pair (May. 1) have closed for the season. (*Listed dates denote the last day of operation). That means Happo is now down to 4 skiable slope areas. Conditions on Riesen Grat (photos 3 & 4) as well as the groomed portion of Usagidaira were similar, with both featuring soft, granular snow surfaces. A couple of skiers from Azumino (pictured) chatted excitedly with me saying, “We always enjoy your reports. It’s a great day and fantastic weather today.”
[Riesen Grat Course]
[Availability Information for May. 4]
* Available Area … Riesen Grat, Usagidaira, Kurobishi, Panorama
* Available Lifts … Gondola (8:00 a.m.–), totally 6 lifts
* Lift Price … Spring Discount from Mar. 20: 1-Day Pass Adult JPY4,500, Child under 12: JPY1,000
*Request for the original data of our photographs
