I have 10cm of fresh snowfall to report to you on this Thursday morning here at Hirafu base. It's good quality snow as well, nice and light.

Yesterday the winds were affecting the lifts at Niseko Annupuri from the start of the day of course, and by noon the top lifts at Niseko Grand Hirafu and Hanazono were also having to stop.

It is colder this morning and importantly there's 6cm of fresh snow outside my place here near Hirafu base.

Hello from a mild and foggy Niseko. Poor visibility here this morning, down to village level.

A very good morning to you from here in sunny Hirafu.

Well first of all I'm glad that yesterday is out of the way!

What about this then? While it is always the most exciting to be able to report heavy snowfall, it's always good to be able to report some blue skies and sunshine as well.

It's a nice and cold morning here and I measured 9cm of fresh snowfall a short while ago.

The day is here! Yes, today is officially the first day of the ski and snowboard season.

It is a very good morning to you from here in Niseko.

I have more snowfall to report to you this morning from here in Hirafu.

Hello from here in Hirafu and - as expected - Niseko Grand Hirafu is not going to be able to open today and opening has been delayed.

Good morning from Niseko and here were are in the week when the ski lifts plan to start moving. The big question is... will they be able to?

It's keeping cold and today the forecast is for light snow and cloud. Perhaps a few bits of blue sky might show through in the afternoon.