Hakuba Now: Saturday 17th January 2015
- Jan 17, 2015
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 15, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Hakuba region of Nagano
New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 349cm
Posted on Saturday 17th January 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Hakuba Now report can be found here.
I'm happy to report snow started falling overnight in Hakuba.
The day yesterday ended up with some sun and blue sky to enjoy amongst the remaining clouds.
This morning there's a good 10cm on the ground around village areas, and resorts reporting more (as noted below). A bit heavy perhaps but forecasts tell us to expect temperatures to actually drop as the day progresses today and so I expect some fine snow to be falling up there during the day and tonight.
Snowing now and generally poor visibility on the slopes as well as a moderate to strong northerly wind. For the moment I can only see that the top part of the Gondola at Tsugaike Kogen and the top lifts there are stopped due to the weather conditions. Some course areas at Hakuba Cortina and Iwatake closed due to avalanche danger and checking going on over there. All other areas seem to be open as normal.
The snow is forecast to stop sometime around tomorrow morning and local forecasts are predicting a quick clear up and maybe even some sun again.
Have a great Saturday wherever you are.
---
Official snow depth numbers and operations at time of writing on Saturday 17th January 2015. Subject to change during the day:
Hakuba Goryu:
Reporting 10cm of new snowfall at Alps Daira and Toomi areas.
All courses open (except Adventure Course).
- Alps Daira - 295cm
- Toomi - 160cm
- Iimori - 160cm
---
Hakuba 47:
Reporting 20cm of snowfall at base and 20-30cm on upper areas.
Tree Riding Zone is open.
- Upper - 290cm
- Lower - 170cm
---
Happo-one:
Reporting 15cm of fresh snowfall at Usagidaira, 10+cm at base.
Happo Banks The Snow Park opening event planned for 31st January.
- Usagidaira - 280cm
- Nakiyama - 160cm
- Sakka - 170cm
---
Hakuba Cortina:
Reporting 20cm of new snowfall this morning.
Number 4 and 5 lifts closed due to avalanche danger this morning along with the Mt Hieda and Itadaira courses.
- Upper - 350cm
- Lower - 230cm
---
Tsugaike Kogen:
Please note that the top Tsugaike Ropeway only opens for spring season.
Looks like some lift distruption early on due to weather - top half of Gondola and two top lifts not moving.
- Tsuga-no-mori - 340cm
- Maruyama - 195cm
- Kane-no-naru-oka - 200cm
---
Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field:
Reporting 15-30cm of fresh snowfall.
Mostly open, areas of the Mountain Side are closed.
- Upper - 270cm
- Lower - 165cm
---
Hakuba Norikura Onsen:
Reporting 30cm of fresh snowfall.
All courses open.... some currently being checked for safety as I write this.
- 285cm
---
Kashimayari:
Reporting 15cm of fresh snowfall.
All areas now open.
- 200cm
---
Night skiing at resorts in the Hakuba area:
Hakuba Goryu:
Toomi area every day until 31st March. 6pm until 9:30pm.
Hakuba Happo-one:
Nakiyama area every day until mid March. 5pm until 9pm.
Hakuba Cortina:
Every day until 31st March. 5pm until 8pm.
Tsugaike Kogen:
Kane-no-naru-oka on Saturdays in January (and 11th); February 7th, 14th. 6pm until 8:50pm.
Karamatsu-Shirakaba on Saturdays in January 10th (and 11th); February 7th, 14th, 28th; Saturdays in March. 6pm until 9pm.
Kashimayari:
Every day until 15th March. 4:30pm until 9:30pm.
Hakuba Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Saturday 17th January 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 349cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 30 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (14th December) November 2014 snowfall 0cm December 2014 snowfall 276cm reported on 23 days January 2015 snowfall 73cm reported on 7 days |
All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Hakuba. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report.