Lotte Arai, Japan Report: Wet and Icy Down Low, Soft Snow Up Top

Brett Ploss | | Post Tag for Conditions ReportConditions Report
Lotte Arai 12/28/23. Image: Brett Ploss.

Report from December 28, 2023

I drove two hours from Hakuba to Lotte Arai this morning. The drive snakes along Japan’s famous Jade Coast, named for the small pebbles of jade that can be found here.

Pulling into Lotte Arai, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, which was quite the contrast from Hakuba yesterday.

No clouds up high. Image: Brett Ploss.

I took the gondola up, followed b a high lift to the top. The snow was soft and incredible. No new snow overnight but it was great for some nice turns.

Upper mountain. Image: Brett Ploss.

The middle and lower mountain were all ice and warm. The snow was lacking so the lower lift is closed, but you could still ski to the base.

Snow Numbers

Image: OpenSnow 12/28/23.

Forecast

Image: OpenSnow 12/28/23.

Photos

Found some untouched lines up top. Image: Brett Ploss.

 

View of Lotte Arai from the road. Image: Brett Ploss.

 

Gondola mid station. Image: Brett Ploss.
Posted by Brett Ploss |

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