AT 8:30am this morning two of the lifts in Grand Hirafu started taking passengers for the first time this season. The Ace Quad Lift #2 was shuttling rabid passengers up to Ace Pair Lift #3.
First passenger was local lad, Tom Cason, and the eagerness that showed on his face as he rushed through the ticket gates is a good representation of how most of the village is feeling. The pent-up anxiety can be released, finally.
There was only the one course open this morning, an un-groomed Center course, with plenty of powder for those lucky enough to get in early. Visibility was quite poor at the top of Ace Pair Lift #3, but it didn’t dampen spirits too much.
To return, skiers and boarders had to catch the Ace Quad Lift back down the mountain. Temperatures are quite low and it’s still snowing here, so hopefully the rest of the mountain opens soon!