It's impossible to believe that just a few days ago there was basically no snow on the ground; today the tall fall grasses are gone, the saplings have bent way down under the snow, and we're getting proper snow walls along the roads. It just keeps coming down—a steady fall of snow, more like mid-winter—but here to make sure this will be a very white Christmas.

I'm surprised more places haven't opened yet, especially the always-optimistic Seki, but the start of a new season is always a catch-up operation. Suginohara did move the opening schedule ahead by one day. Lots of snow prep work gets postponed until the snow really hits. But it looks like everybody will be up and going by the end of this week.

Current Official Snow Depths/Operating Condition:

Akakura Onsen:
155cm; Kumado section open

Akakan (Akakura Kanko):
150cm; Sky Cable and 2 Hotel side lifts open.

Ikenotaira:
NR; scheduled opening Dec. 23

Myoko Suginohara:
NR; scheduled opening Dec. 22

Seki Onsen:
NR; scheduled opening Dec. 21

Myoko Ski Park:
150cm; open

Kyukamura:
NR; scheduled opening Dec. 23

Tangram:
110cm; limited courses open; snowmobile rides from today

Madarao:
120cm; a couple of lifts open