This is being written during a mid snow clearing coffee break; there is a lot of snow out there to clear, and I'm the one to do it.

The day started slow, but now we can't see with the heavy snow falling—pelting, crashing, screaming—down.

Another late report here, thanks primarily to the last of the bonenkai—end of the year parties; they never stop—and the fact that once I got some coffee in it was time to go blow more snow.

This would have been a nice, early report if it weren't for the (dramatic pause, please) nearly one meter of snow that fell overnight.

Snow is falling this morning, although not (yet) the heavy fall that was forecast as possible for the day.

I have been hesitant to report since yesterday, for the rain yesterday, because were looking for a big snowfall that hasn't happened yet today.

The snow might have tapered off during the day yesterday, but it started up again sometime during the night.

Yesterday's forecast came true: we work up to about 60cm of fairly nice fresh snow - not as wet and heavy as is often the case early in the season.

Here it comes.... things are white outside at the moment.

A post-earthquake note (nothing snow-related to report just yet, unfortunately). We were really close to the epicenter, it seems. Felt that way.

The snow is slowly creeping down the hill; the fall blooms (yellow bulldozers and red snowthrowers) are now in full glory around the homes.

That's it folks... all of the ski lifts in Myoko at a standstill and we're all done for another season.

The good weather has mostly continued since the last update but we are getting rained on this morning in Myoko.

Your reporter is out of town on this, the last day for all the resorts except Akakan and Seki Onsen, but we've got the official word: 10cm of fresh snow. What a year...