Hanazono opened this morning and the good vibes from Annupuri’s opening must have been carried across on the wind the other day cause it was all smiles over on the Kutchan side of the mountain this morning. It was a 1990 crowd (small) and it was A+ conditions. There was more than enough fresh pow to have anyone who was lucky enough to be there pretty well giggling on runs 2-10. Weather was fine until about 30 seconds before the first chair swung into the upper lift house and then it started nuking and at 11.30 as we type this it still is. Keep an eye on the report but to be honest with what is forecast and the incredible lack of crowds just get up and go each morning for the next week, the screen will still be here afterward.
Below: Big smiles from the magic carpet crew.
Below: The male to female staff ratio over at hanno seems about perfect.
Below: A. couple of the NISS guys managed to snavel some first tracks.
Below: It was a welcome with open arms at Hannazono today.
Below: Last time opening day was this uncrowded you had to get to Japan via a sailing ship.
Below: Second chair people always look at first chair people in this manner.
Below: First chair guy with his spot well and truly reserved … unless you are the dude behind him who hooked up with HPG and is on his second lap for the day.
Below: So begins 2017/2018 at Hannazono.
Below: T.here is a couple feet of fresh dry pow down there.
Below: Where else but Japan are the staff this happy to see the customer. Good vives only at the top station at Hannazono.
Below: “Dropping”.
Below: And so it begins Faceshot-breath-faceshot-breath-Faceshot.
Below: Oh yeah snowbikes are still a thing in Japan … epic!
