Markie

Kiroro is still getting some good freshies but Hakuba looks like it's getting its fair share too. Naeba is opening tomorrow and Karuizawa has already been up and running since Nov 1 ......they must spend a fortune on snow-making. If I were in Tokyo, I know where I would be headed this week-end.

That's very good to hear, slow. At least I still have a little chance of seeing you this season. After Christmas, my next trip will be to the Three Valleys in France in February and I still haven't decided what to do for Easter, but would like to go to Hokkaido again, so this may be my only chance to see you this season.

It's no secret I'd love to see slow over Christmas, but as the feeling is not mutual, I believe she plans to be at Hakuba over the New Year when I'm well gone.

That's a good deal, slow. Go for it!

Just checked Kiroro and it's snowing there and the pond is beginning to fill up, but there is hardly any white at Rusutsu! Aren't they on the same island? Just 3 hours drive apart?

Fattwins, BCS, no need to tell me, I know. A good dump in Hakuba last night. The webcams tell the story.

Thursday, I do remember it was sunny on Sunday but couldn't see that blue sky. What were you doing on Lautau peak? Were you trying out the new gondola?

Yeap, I can get the Kiroro base station image again now but couldn't this morning. Nevertheless, thanks for the links. Looks like another nice sunny day there with blue skies. Blue skies are something I haven't seen here in HK for a long time. I can look out the window and even if it's a sunny day, when I look up, it's hazy. The pollution from our northern neighbour has made blue skies a rare sight here. Only when the winds are right and the weather is clear.

Now that's I nice link coldcat. I can't get the Snowjapan Mt Yotei link either. It seems to have the same problem as the Kiroro link.

That's great news. Thanks, BCS.

Rats, the base station webcam at Kiroro is out again but at least the other Kiroro webcam shows they still have a good white base there. At Hunter mountain, however, only traces of snow left from what was only a few days ago an all-white-sight. Hakuba seems to be holding up well though. It looks like another nice sunny day there and even though the snow levels are obviously down from the last couple of days and the tall bits of grass are starting to creep back into view, the slopes are still more than 90% white. I am patiently waiting for that base to build up. It's only 5 weeks more before I

Good to see the Kiroro base station webcam is back on line. Looks like the snow there is quite slushy and the pond hasn't filled up quite yet.

Up north, the Kiroro base station webcam is still down, but the other Kiroro cam shows some good snow accumulation. The same is true for Rusutsu. In Hakuba, it looks a really pretty sight with the sun shining down on those white covered slopes.

Don't worry about Fattwins, sock monkey, I bet you'll have a fantastic time. Australia is alway great fun at that time of the year!

It's good to have both when and volume this year. I'll keep my fingers cross. BTW the webcams also had some really nice shots of Mt Fuji today.

I wouldn't say always. Remember the first time I went to Hakuba, the season started quite late but Kiroro was already getting a good supply of freshies then. But I think Kiroro is not as high are you so their snow melts much quicker than you in early and late season.

Have been keeping a close watch on the webcams for about a month already. This is the second time this season I have woken up and have been delighted at what I found on the webcam pages. It's falling quite hard in Hakuba, more so than that first big one last month it seems. The Happo One and Goryu webcams show a good picture of the conditions. The Tsugaike ,Iwatake and the other Hakuba resort webcams are still out but the Hakuba 47 highway cams are showing some snowy conditions on the road. Up north, in Hokkaido, I'm glad to see the Rusutsu webcam is back on line but is seems they are not

That's a yes, cb. Let me know when you have finalized your plans for that week so we can discuss what slopes to do on what days.

Just to pound this point to death, I remember a lot of really flat spots in Rusutsu, Kiroro and 3 Valleys, but they were so flat you came to a complete stop in some places and had to walk for a bit. That bit of Tsugaike is gentle but the inclination is enough to take you all the way down to the lift.

Agree with db. Not only does Tsugaike have a long, very wide and gentle slope, it is also served by a many lifts so you don't have to worry about queues even on peak days.

Thanks for that pic. Sure is a beautiful sight.

Quote: Originally posted by keba: The "rules" are OK for those who already ski, for a beginner, the shorter, the easier. And rent, don't buy. And stay out of the powder, at least for the first couple of days... I've seen instructors who like to start beginners off with short skis and some who insist they start with normal length skis. There must be some pros and cons to both, but if shorts skis are chosen, definitely keep off the powder!

Thursday why did you change your label to Niseko Rules? Was ut just to irritate Fattwins? I hope not, that's my job when O11 is too busy. We should keep a directory of who is/was who. All these changes are making me dizzy.

Db, I don't think that's for a one day thing. Naeba always makes snow like that to get a line running in the season as soon as possible and they do get some avid keenies going up there to do that one little stretch.

Quote: Originally posted by Stanii: hy guys, for the snowmaking u need three things; - water - cold temperatures - electricity and of course a snowgun Excuse me, that's 4 things! I decided to give Fattwins a one week break so I thought I'd pick on someone else for a change! Actually, Karuizawa is also quite big into snow-making. But I've seen those snow-cannons in many places in Japan including Hakuba.