We're off to a cold start this morning in Furano. The thermometer bottomed out at bone-chilling -20 overnight, and we're just now rebounding to a chilly -13. Afternoon highs should break into the minus single digits. The good news is that all this cold is wringing out the moisture content in the air like a sponge, and the dry, powder-like flakes that Furano is famous for are coming down soft and lovely. At the moment, we've seen nothing but a light dusting of around 2-3cm, but the snow is forecast to continue throughout the day. Perhaps we'll see some significant accumulation.

The Kitanomine Zone Gondola is up and running as of yesterday, and almost all of the courses on the mountain are now available for skiing. However, the Todomatsu Course in Furano Zone is closed off to the public until 4PM today. Kitanomine's Giant Course and Kids Area opened yesterday and today, respectively, so there's something for everyone from beginners to experts. It looks like Kitanomine Zone just might be where the action is today.


Here's the latest official information from the ski resort.

2012/12/23 12/23(Sunday) Ski Lift and Course Operations [7:45AM]
[Snow Levels]
Upper Mountain - 110cm
Lower Mountain - 70cm

[Furano Zone Lift Operations]

Furano Ropeway - 8:30-15:00
Furano Downhill High Speed Lift #1 - 9:00-20:00
Furano Downhill Romance Lift #2 - 8:45-15:00
Furano Downhill Romance Lift #3 - 9:00-15:00
Prince Romance Lift - 8:30-16:00
Beginner Lesson Zone - 10:00-15:30


[Kitanomine Zone Lift Operations]

Kitanomine High Speed Lift #1 - 8:30-20:00
Kitanomine Romance Lift #2 - 8:45-15:00
Kitanomine Gondola - 9:00-15:00
Link Lift - 9:00-15:00
Beginner Lesson Zone - 9:00-15:00