The ski hill is open and everything is right in the world once again! Seriously, every off season I forget just how fun much snowboarding is, and today I cannot wipe the smile off my face. It will probably be easier in the morning when my leg muscles remind me that I haven’t been riding for over six months… but that’s what onsens are for, right?
The crowd outside Hirafu Base, ready to buy tickets and passes
There were a slew of staff welcome parties around town last night, but that didn’t stop everyone from making it up to the Ace Quad for Grand Hirafu Opening Day! The Ace Pair Lift #3 was also running, and with the bottom half of the mountain closed, every man and his dog was hitting up Center run, cavorting amongst the 20cm that so obligingly fell overnight. Well, the groomed version of it anyway.
Still looking a little green up there, but the runs are well covered and lots of fun
Spirits were high on top of the mountain, and no one seemed to mind the download on the Ace Quad, although the lower slopes looked terrifically enticing. Who ever would have known it was raining up there earlier this week?
Hirafu looks like itself again, with snowboarders lining the streets!
All told it was an amazing start to what is sure to be an incredible season. The snow forecast isn’t ideal this week, but one thing I have discovered about Niseko is that the safest assumption is that it will be dumping. Let’s get shredding!