2020 has been many things, but this winter season has got off to a snowy start this time round.

Another very pleasing amount of fresh snow since yesterday, with the larger part of it coming overnight, even though it was snowing yesterday.

Merry Christmas. As my Niseko colleague said this morning, it kind of feels different this year.

So the snow eased off during the day yesterday and we got to actually see some of the mountain! Since yesterday the ski area reports 7-8cm of snow on their upper Yamabiko and Uenotaira areas.

There's more snow to report. Not as much as there has been in the previous few days, but another 22-30cm is being reported on the top areas and a more modest amount down at base.

Hello from Nozawa. The heavy snow has continued.

More snow to report this morning, though less in quantity.

More snow to report this morning, though less in quantity.

The Nagasaka Gondola wasn't able to get going yesterday and it is going to be rested today too.

Nozawa Onsen is this morning reporting a whopping 70cm of snowfall on the upper Yamabiko area since yesterday morning (with 60cm of that since 3pm yesterday); also, 43cm on Uenotaira.

Lots of lovely snowy scenes this morning in Nozawa as the snow continues.

Good morning from a snowy Nozawa.

There's not a whole lot to report this morning, but I'm just excited about opening tomorrow.