Photo/Illutration Artificial snow is piled up on Rokkosan Snow Park's slope in Kobe's Nada Ward on Nov. 19 ahead of the popular ski resort's opening day. (Toshiyuki Hayashi)

KOBE—As the Kansai region faces its coldest spell yet this season, preparations are nearing completion for the opening of Rokkosan Snow Park here.

The ski resort with artificial snow is set to open its gates on Nov. 30.

Since late last month, the park has been tirelessly producing 240 tons of artificial snow each day using massive ice-making machines.

The snow is then piled up to emulate a mountain on a 260-meter-long slope and covered with sheets to protect it from sunlight, wind, rain and fog.

Just before its opening, the snow will be smoothed out to create a fresh slope. 

Challenges arose despite the ability to make its own snow—the city experienced an average temperature 2.7 degrees above normal in October.

Even at the ski resort, located at an altitude of 855 meters where temperatures are typically 5 degrees lower than in the city center, autumn arrived late this year.

The region even experienced heavy rain in early November.

Despite these setbacks, the resort has stayed on schedule for its opening.

This season, a conveyor belt lift will be introduced in the popular sledding area to make it more enjoyable for families with small children.

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