It's a lovely morning in Hakuba. 15-20cm or so on the ground here since yesterday.

After the frankly mad conditions yesterday with heavy snowfall and strong winds playing havoc, it's some more of the same this morning.

Very large amounts of snow falling in Hakuba at the moment.

It has started snowing (lightly) now but this is very probably the start of a lot that is due to fall over the next few days.

Snowing during the day yesterday, though a level down from the heavy snow of the previous day.

There's a slight bit of sun out at the moment over parts of the valley as I start writing this report, but that's definitely not the story of the last 24 hours.

Lots to report this morning.

The rain didn't do us any favors yesterday in terms of melt and snow conditions... but quickly and happily moving on, snow is about to make another hopefully dramatic entrance.

A cloudy day forecast today with snow at times, one of those times being now and it will be staying cold not straying too far above the zero mark.

There has been another 5-10cm or so of fresh snow in the village and base areas this morning.

Well, well, it's all very exciting this morning.

More snow to report this morning and I'm happy to report that today marks the official start of the season in Hakuba with Happo-one part opening from 9am this morning.

I was just over at Hakuba 47 where there's about 10cm of fresh snow on the ground.

Not that much going on down at village level for the most part, coming down nicely at one point yesterday evening, but better news higher up on the mountains.