It's another good morning in Hakuba with some impressive snowfalls to report. The headline on this cold and snowy morning has to be the 70cm of new snowfall recorded at Hakuba Cortina, and 30cm or so at the resorts around the village. While it is still snowing on the mountains, the snow has eased off in the village somewhat at the moment and is on and off with even a little bit of the sun out for a short time earlier on, but generally we can expect these snowy conditions to continue basically into next week and be heavy at times. (Cortina have updated their report with a further 5cm since this morning).

It is a cold -5 degrees in the village this lunchtime but the winds are behaving and not causing any problems on the mountains today. Fingers crossed it will stay that way.

Looks like it is going to be a very fine weekend ahead for those visiting Hakuba.

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Heavy Snow Warning: Otari ski fields have seen an accumulated 150cms over the past 72 hours.

Continued heavy snow fall is adding load to the recent storm snow that has started to slab and release from the buried sun crust of January 22nd on southern exposures. Loose slides are releasing on all aspects due to weak bonds with in the new snow. Take due caution travelling in avalanche terrain and in gullies where loose slides and sluff can accumulate to create deep burials. There are still a lot of creeks that have open holes that are definite hazards and terrain traps. Take care to avoid these areas or be on the look out for these holes.

Do not underestimate how rapidly the avalanche hazard will increase with continued rapid snowfall and increased winds.

Use your head and carry all the proper safety and rescue gear if you are heading into off piste areas. Stay to well supported and simple terrain to reduce hazard. Travel in Backcountry areas not recommended until conditions and recent storm snow settles.

ALPINE ZONE: HIGH HAZARD !! Stronger winds, colder temperatures and greater snow fall will all attribute to very unstable conditions. Watch out for avalanches from ALPINE ZONES travelling to the valley and into TREELINE and BELOW TREELINE ZONES.
TREELINE: CONSIDERABLE HAZARD !
BELOW TREELINE: CONSIDERABLE

Official snow depths and operations @ Thursday 26th January 2012 AM:

Hakuba Goryu:
Goryu reported 20cm of new snow on upper slopes with 15cm lower down. All weekday lifts operating.
Official snow depths:
Alps daira - 240cm;
Toomi - 110cm;
Iimori - 100cm.

Hakuba 47:
25-30cm of fresh snow reported at 47 this snowy Thursday morning. All weekday courses and lifts open/operating (no Line D).
Official snow depth:
Upper - 220cm
Lower - 100cm

Happo-one:
Ski lifts/courses:
All lifts apart from Usagidaira pair, Happo No1 pair, Central pair and Kita One No3 pair operating.
Official snow depth:
Usagidaira - 170cm;
Sakka - 90cm;
Nakiyama - 90cm.

Tsugaike Kogen:
Official snow depth:
Upper slopes - 245cm
Champion - 160cm

Hakuba Cortina:
Cortina are reporting a whopping 70cm on the upper slopes this morning and a none-too-shabby 45cm on lower areas. They have just reported a further 5cm up until 12 noon. Limited operations as they cope with the snow.
Official snow depth:
Upper - 305cm
Lower - 210cm

Hakuba Norikura:
Official snow depth:
185cm

Hakuba Iwatake:
Official snow depth:
Upper - 130cm
Lower - 65cm

Hakuba Sanosaka:
105cm

Hakuba Minekata:
75cm