Snow and weather reports posted on Monday 23rd April 2018
Naeba Now!
Wednesday 20th December 2017, 6:56am
Weather conditions:
Clear
New snowfall:
6cm
Snow depth:
--
Good morning From Naeba! Yet again it is a beautiful blue bird day in the mountains. Yesterday, at almost exactly 12pm, the clouds rolled in and there was a dusting of 6cm of snow. It continues to be quiet, therefore the pistes are staying in excellent condition throughout the day. As always, Naeba's night skiing will be open until 2030 tonight.
The forecast is for a clear, calm day today, with temperatures hovering around 0°C. Tomorrow we should expect some cloud and possible some small snow showers into the afternoon. It is expected to warm up drastically into the weekend, and it's possible that our next big storm will be rolling through into early next week.
Clouds did indeed move over Yuzawa yesterday with light snow starting to fall in town by the afternoon. It was a bit wet at first but improved into the evening and there's 8cm to add to the report this morning.
Kagura are reporting 10-20cm of fresh snowfall since yesterday; Maiko Snow Resort are reporting 15cm.
Nice to see that fresh snow, though it does look likely we are going to need to make do with what we have for the next few days - until Monday actually, when Santa is due to bring fresh snowfall to the region according to the forecast.
This morning there is more blue sky and sunshine to start the day off. A cold start to the day but it should be fairly mild by mid-afternoon.
Ishiuchi Maruyama plans to be part open from tomorrow. They are planning on having 10 lifts operating and 13 courses open.
And then NASPA Ski Garden and Iwappara will be opening from Friday.
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Todays webcam images are GALA Yuzawa and (not open yet) NASPA Ski Garden and Ishiuchi Maruyama.
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Currently open in Yuzawa (official snow depths where available): Wednesday 20th December 2017
GALA Yuzawa GALA Yuzawa opens for the season from this morning. 6 lifts are operating and 9 courses (Central and Northern Areas) are open. The sledding area is also open. - 140cm
Kagura Almost all of Kagura is open. - Kagura area: 180cm - Mitsumata area: 120cm - Tashiro area: 140cm
Maiko Snow Resort Maiko Snow Resort is open with the Gondola and two Okusoeji lifts operating and 7 courses in that top area available. Nighta operations are scheduled to begin from 28th December. - Top: 120cm - Base: 60cm
Muica Snow Resort Muica Snow Resort is open with all lifts operating. - 100cm
Naeba A large part of Naeba is now open. - Base: 70cm
Yuzawa Park Yuzawa Park is part open with the Number 7 and Number 1 lifts operating. - 50cm
Joetsu Kokusai - 110cm Joetsu Kokusai is part open from this morning. The area in front of the main base hotel as well as the lower part of the Atema area are open - 13 courses in total.
Yuzawa Kogen Yuzawa Kogen is - even the town-level Nunoba Family lift apparently is moving. - Top: 110cm - Base: 50cm
Yuzawa Nakazato - 50cm The Number 1 high speed lift as well as Number 2 and 3 lifts are operating. Courses open are the Panorama course, Joyful course and Number 3 romance course.
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Other planned opening dates for ski resorts in Yuzawa and Minamiuonuma:
Yesterday we enjoyed some fine weather during the morning but before we got into the afternoon we started getting snow and wind.
This morning it is continuing to snow but the wind has calmed down somewhat which is good to see.
The G Park will be closed on 22nd (Friday) for maintenance.
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Official snow depths:
Top: 225cm Base: 130cm
Operating lifts:
Number 1 Gondola Number 2 Gondola Number 1 pair lift Number 2 pair lift Quad lift
All lifts operating
Courses & Tree Runs:
* All main courses open * Tree Run courses not yet available
Nighta skiing operations are planned at Geto Kogen on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 22nd December 2017 until 25th February 2018.
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Welcome to our new Geto Kogen Now daily reports section
Geto Kogen is a ski and snowboard resort in Iwate Prefecture in the northern Tohoku region of Honshu, the main island of Japan. It’s known for heavy snowfalls, quality snow and tree run courses. Hopefully we will be able to bring you some good snowy reports through this season.
For more information on Geto Kogen please check out these pages on SnowJapan:
As with all our daily ‘Now’ reports, the bottom line is that they are independent and honest – they are published by us, not by the resort. The new snowfall number is being measured at the base area of the resort. Read more ...
Appi Kogen Now!
Wednesday 20th December 2017, 8:07am
Weather conditions:
Cloudy skies...
New snowfall:
35cm
Snow depth:
--
Appi Wednesday,
Another terrific day and evening worth of snow here at Appi. Yesterday was just a constant flow of snow which was great until the sun went down and the wind picked up making a terrific blizzard like drive home for those that stayed the whole day.
Today we’ve got cloudy skies, light snow falling with a light wind which should pick up again this afternoon. There shouldn’t be much accumulation today but the forecast has been terribly wrong before so we’ll have to wait and see.
As far as runs go they are still in limited supply but we can expect the whole mountain to open on the 24th and for those that venture our way you can expect one the best days of the year with all that fresh snow waiting for the first runs.
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Lift operations on Tuesday 18th December 2017 (at time of writing; subject to change):
- APPI Gondola - Central quad - Central number 2 lift - Central number 3 lift A - Central number 4 lift
It is another cold -9c morning here in the town and the temperature is set to top out at a not warm -6c. Luckily there is little in the way of wind, just a slight breeze evident at the moment. New snow on the ground is respectable at 5cm and will mean the groomers will be in fantastic powdered corduroy condition. However, due to very overcast skies I would expect some low light conditions on the slopes. Tomorrow looks promising with the sun likely to be out. Read more ...
Niseko Now!
Wednesday 20th December 2017, 8:32am
Weather conditions:
Snow clouds
New snowfall:
19cm
Snow depth:
--
Good morning.
'Only' 19cm of fresh snow to report on this cold and snowy morning. ;)
Light snow falling as I write this report with somewhat limited visibility outside from the look of the webcam images.
It looks like we might be heading towards a few days where there might not be much fresh snowfall along with milder conditions. Don't worry, though, as Santa will be here with his presents and more snow by Monday.
With all the snow we have had, I think there's probably more than a few people looking forward to the chance of a day or two featuring some blue sky and sunshine. If it's not snowing, some sun would be nice... though we'd like it to remain as cold as possible of course to keep the snow in fine condition.
Hearing more about probable plans for gate openings... soon!
Yey!
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -9°, 15cm new snow, light winds. Moiwa 800m : -12°, W10.8m/s, 20cm new snow, major snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -15°, W16m/s, 30cm new snow, major snowdrift development. Hirafu 1200m: -16°, light blizzard, 15cm new snow, poor visibility. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NW16m/s. Kamui Cape: WSW14m/s, 1020hPa, wave 2.2m.
The winter weather pattern has not changed. Overnight the atmospheric pressure gradient increased, winds picked up, and seas have been increasing hour by hour. Snowdrifts on south west facing slopes between 800 and 1200m, there has been 120cm new growth on top of Jan 12-14 low pressure snowfall layer. Gusting conditions has caused uneven development , expect fractures between 60-120cm depending on location. From observation and snowfall transition, the avalanche risk is high on cornice and knolls slopes between 800-1100m.
Today is cold. This morning the isobars are moving apart and wind will drop, however take care of frostbite. Do not stimulate knolls or cornices on open slopes, ride one by one. Do not wait in the valley bottoms. Snow in the forest is heavier than yesterday but still has good bounce. Do not enter strictly off limits areas Haru no Taki and Yu no Sawa. From the snowfall transition Haru no Taki is especially dangerous.
Peak gates are still being prepared at Hirafu and Annupuri aiming for Friday opening. Please listen to the patrols advice. Winter came early this year, have a good season.
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Wednesday 20th December 2017
What's planned to be open today in Niseko (subject to change):
Floodlit 'nighta' skiing: Night skiing is planned for every evening at the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area. Ski lifts that are scheduled to be operating for nighta are noted above. Read more ...
Hakuba Now!
Wednesday 20th December 2017, 8:34am
Weather conditions:
Blue skies and sunshine
New snowfall:
0cm
Snow depth:
--
Hello there and after a day of snow and cold yesterday, it's one of those fantastic blue sky days again.
We are enjoying some amazing clear skies with just some cloud hanging over some of the peaks, with sunny sunshine trying to warm up the very cold start to the day here in Hakuba.
Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba 47 are this morning reporting 5cm up top (as well as snow falling during the day yesterday). The Sakka Number 2 pair lift at Happo-one is due to start up from today and that resort is reporting 2cm of snow this morning at the top Gondola station.
With the cold conditions the snow this morning should be in really good condition and today is perfect to be out on the mountains.
Next snow? Perhaps a little overnight tonight but after that more sun than snow over the next few days, along with milder temps too - especially at the weekend. Things should get back to being colder and snowy by Monday morning.
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Ski resort opening status on Wednesday 20th December 2017:
Operating lifts: - Gondola Adam - Alpen quad lift - Hakuba Riesen quad lift - Nakiyama Number 3 triple lift - Panorama pair lift - Kokusai Number 1 pair lift - Kokusai Number 3 pair lift - Kurobishi Number 2 quad lift - Skyline Number 2 pair lift - Sakka Kita-one quad lift - Sakka Number 2 pair lift
Courses open: - Majority of course areas are now at least part open. - Areas still closed: Riesen Grat, Kurobishi off-piste, Nakiyama Wall, Nakiyama North, Central, Shirakaba North.
There's more sunshine and blue sky over the region early this morning. It's cold too with the thermometer showing -4C outside just before. It should warm up a bit and get into low positive numbers by this afternoon.
The resort is reporting 20cm of snowfall up on the top areas since yesterday from the snow that started falling in the afternoon yesterday. Not as much down below.
It is looking like we might have to wait until Christmas Day on Monday for the next delivery of fresh snowfall; though what Santa-san plans to bring us does look promising. Before then though we can expect a fair bit of sunshine - and milder conditions - if the forecasts are correct. Let's hope it doesn't warm up too much.
In the meantime, plenty of snow to enjoy with most of the resort already open.
It's a cold and very sunny morning once again here in Madarao.
Some fresh snow from last night means that it should be a very agreeable morning out on the open slopes.
More sunshine is on the forecast over the next few days with the next snow due on Monday.
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Official snow depth: 95cm
Operating lifts:
Number 1 lift Number 2 quad lift
Open courses
Paradise Beginners B Utopia Giant (lower) Curving Pole A
Lower lift ticket prices for opening until 22nd December.
Planned nighta operations this season:
Daily between 29th December 2017 and 3rd January 2018 7th January 2018 11th February 2018 Every Saturday between 4th January and 24th March 2018 Read more ...
Shiga Kogen Now!
Wednesday 20th December 2017, 9:08am
Weather conditions:
Sunny blue skies
New snowfall:
8cm
Snow depth:
--
After that good start to the day yesterday, we were into snowfall and windy weather conditions again by the afternoon. Not huge amounts of snow this time though.
And this morning... we're back to clear skies and sunshine. There's more of this due over the next run of days too, probably until Sunday. It's really cold this morning but we can expect somewhat warmer conditions late week and over the weekend.
The cold will be back for Monday though and that is when the next decent snowfall is expected.
No fresh snowfall expected before the weekend but I do expect more areas to open at the weekend. More people will be here for Christmas and in the run up to New Year, so as much as possible will be open.
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Areas of Shiga Kogen that are at least part open:
- Okushiga Kogen - Yakebitaiyama - Ichinose Yamanokami - Ichinose Diamond - Ichinose Family - Tannenomori - Takamagahara Mammoth - Maruike - Sun Valley - Kumanoyu - Yokoteyama - Shibutoge Read more ...
Zao Now!
Wednesday 20th December 2017, 9:26am
Weather conditions:
Cloud and sun
New snowfall:
2cm
Snow depth:
--
Good morning from Zao.
Alas, not much to report from yesterday and this morning we are seeing some sun shining through with improved visibility.
I'm taking a look at the forecast and there's not much sign of snowfall over the next 4-5 days or so. Christmas Day is when the next snow looks set to move in and be delivered personally by good old Santa. Until then we are due a mix of sun and cloud and generally rather milder temperatures. Fingers crossed it won't warm up too much - the weekend looks like the mildest conditions expected.
Floodlit night skiing for the 2017-2018 season is planned as follows:
In the Uwanodai area: Daily from Saturday 23rd December 2017 until Sunday 4th March 2018 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only from Friday 9th March until Sunday 18th March 2018.
In the Yokokura area: Daily from Saturday 23rd December 2017 until Monday 8th January 2018 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only from Friday 12th January until Sunday 18th February 2018. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only from Friday 2nd March until Sunday 11th March 2018.
Night time 'light up' sightseeing ropeway is planned for the following dates:
December 2017: 23rd-24th, 29th-31st January 2018: 1st-7th, 13th-14th, 20th-21st, 27th-31st February 2018: every day March 2018: 1st-4th Read more ...
Minakami Now!
Wednesday 20th December 2017, 10:08am
Weather conditions:
Bluebird
New snowfall:
10cm
Snow depth:
--
Modest snowfall last night with about 10cm on the carpark this morning.
Up at Tenjin they got 20cm thought the base has seen some settling.
Looks like a few days of clear weather according to the forecast.
Norn Minakami is opening this morning with 2 lifts operating; Minakami Kogen Ski Resort is also opening from today with just the Minakami quad lift operating.
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Update 12 noon: Tenjin all open up top. Photo below!
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Planned opening dates at ski resorts in Minakami - subject to change:
Please note that the snowfall numbers posted in this report will be observed from close to the base Tenjindaira Ropeway station - which is often much more than in the central town area of Minakami. Read more ...
Myoko Now!
Wednesday 20th December 2017, 11:56am
Weather conditions:
Bluebird
New snowfall:
31cm
Snow depth:
--
Yesterday the web, today the computer. Sorry about this, guys! Your reporter promises to get technically ready (I was here at base at 6:30 to check the snow plot….).
Anyway, good news: 31cm of fresh, light new snow. Kind of surprised yesterday to be in the office, looked outside, and once again we had a mini-blizzard blowing away. Nice snow, star-shaped crystals. It looks great, but it’s still not enough to get out in the backcountry.
Expect lots of brush and vines and inability to traverse and troubles (to keep the story short, wait a bit more!)
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Akakura Kanko: 170 cm, -6° Lifts: Myokokogen Sky Cable (gondola); Hotel No. 2, 3, 5; Champion No. 1 and 3
