Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 20cm Snowfall at base this season 51cm Posted on Friday 2nd December 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here 2pm update: The ski areas have made their decisions (* though I suppose they are all subject to change). Niseko HANAZONO and Niseko Grand Hirafu have delayed their opening until there's more snow. So they do not plan to open tomorrow. Hirafu are reporting 10cm of snow at the top of the Ace Number 3 pair lift and 20cm by the base. (Interesting numbers). Niseko Annupuri plan to open just their base beginner area from 9:00am tomorrow. The Dream Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open. Tickets will be 2,700 yen for adults and 1,700 yen for children of elementary school age. Niseko Village plans to be 'part open', without offering further details. Niseko Moiwa also seem to be planning on opening their Number 2 pair lift tomorrow. So there we have it. Tomorrow is the official start of the Niseko season. It will be very limited, but... yey! It's still snowing but has been a bit on and off this lunchtime. (Please note that apart from this updated text, all the other data in this report remains from the original morning report). ---------- Original morning report: Good morning everyone. There's more good snow news to report this morning with another 20cm since my last report. I like two digit numbers where the first digit is 2. (I like ones that start with 3 even more, but I must refrain from being too greedy so early on). Remember, this is around base, so we can expect there to be more higher up on the mountain. And more is forecast to fall during the day today too. As I write this it is actually quite bright in places, though snow is still falling outside my place. Enough to open tomorrow? As far as I can tell, the only ski area related news I can find early morning is that Hanazono have delayed opening. I expect there to be some other announcements made by early afternoon. I will update this report later on today with any news... ---------- Planned opening dates: Niseko Village: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Annupuri: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Grand Hirafu: Saturday 3rd December 2022 [delayed] Niseko Hanazono: Saturday 3rd December 2022 [delayed] Niseko Moiwa: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Now 2022-2023 season Data as of Friday 2nd December 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 51cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 7 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 20cm (2nd December) November 2022 snowfall 17cm reported on 5 days December 2022 snowfall 34cm reported on 2 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Furano region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 3cm Snowfall at base this season 8cm Posted on Friday 2nd December 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . There has been a further 3cm of snow since yesterdays report. It is -8c and the high will top out at -4c. Some very light precipitation is coming down but not much is expect in the way of snow through today. More snow is needed for the ski area to commence operation. Furano Now 2022-2023 season Data as of Friday 2nd December 2022 Total snowfall at base 8cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 3 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 3cm (1st and 2nd December) November 2022 snowfall 2cm reported on 1 day December 2022 snowfall 6cm reported on 2 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Furano. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 14cm Snowfall at base this season 31cm Posted on Thursday 1st December 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Greetings! Here we are in December, and it is starting off with some fairly decent snowfall overnight. I have just measured 14cm. It is snowing lightly at the moment with a moderate westerly wind. It's cold too. We are just two days away from the planned opening date. Will they be able to do it? There is more snow on the forecasts over the next few days and into next week. I'll let you know. For any newcomers: Hello! Please note that my daily snowfall numbers are from near Hirafu base, as observed by me. Please read the About page to learn more this (and other) reports on SnowJapan. Someone said they saw the gondola at Hanazono moving yesterday and asked if the ski area was open. No, not yet. The gondola was just stretching its legs. ---------- Planned opening dates: Niseko Village: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Annupuri: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Grand Hirafu: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Hanazono: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Moiwa: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Now 2022-2023 season Data as of Thursday 1st December 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 31cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 6 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 14cm (1st December) November 2022 snowfall 17cm reported on 5 days December 2022 snowfall 14cm reported on 1 day Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Madarao region of Nagano New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 1cm Weather overview Cloud Wind Light Temperature - Visibility Limited Posted on Thursday 1st December 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Madarao Now report can be found here . Hello from Madarao. It's December, and I can just about (just about) open the snowfall account for the season! There is a thin layer of snow around this morning, and it's not enough to completely cover the ground (and less so over at Tangram). Hopefully we will get more snow tomorrow in larger amounts to give us a proper covering before the weekend. Sun is forecast for Saturday, so that covering might not last. Just over two weeks to go! Madarao Now 2022-2023 season Data as of Thursday 1st December 2022 Total snowfall at base 1cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 1 day Most snowfall observed in 1 day 1cm (on 1st December) November 2022 snowfall 0cm December 2022 snowfall 1cm reported on 1 day Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Madarao. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Furano region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 3cm Snowfall at base this season 5cm Posted on Thursday 1st December 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . A snow front arrive late yesterday afternoon and with a drop in temperature snow started to settle across Furano. The roads are now a blanket of white and there is around 3cm on the ground. It is -8c in town and will stay cool through the day going to a high of -5c. Moderate wind gusts are present and it is a clear day with part cloud. Furano Ski Area is still waiting for more snow to commence operation for the season. Furano Now 2022-2023 season Data as of Thursday 1st December 2022 Total snowfall at base 5cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 2 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 3cm (1st December) November 2022 snowfall 2cm reported on 1 day December 2022 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Furano. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 17cm Posted on Wednesday 30th November 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here I am happy to report that it is indeed snowing again. Yey! (It makes it easy to quickly forget the heavy rain we had to endure before this). Just 1cm so far, but we expect snowfall during the day today and beyond, with snow and cold conditions lined up on the forecast for the coming days. Hopefully, the slopes will remain white all the way through to spring. I wonder how much we might get before Saturday, the planned opening date for the ski areas here in Niseko. It's not much time to create a good and stable base... but not impossible. I'm going to have myself some celebratory toast while watching the snow come down. ---------- Planned opening dates: Niseko Village: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Annupuri: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Grand Hirafu: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Hanazono: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Moiwa: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Now 2022-2023 season Data as of Wednesday 30th November 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 17cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 5 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 12cm (17th November) November 2022 snowfall 17cm reported on 5 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 16cm Posted on Sunday 27th November 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Snow is falling this morning once again. Good to see a thin layer of white on the ground, and I can just about justify adding 1cm to the report today. That is as of 9am. We're going to need a lot of more snow for ski areas to be able to open, of course. While we might get a bit more today, forecasts from Wednesday onwards are looking promising for some real wintery snowy conditions. Sounds good to me. ---------- Planned opening dates: Niseko Village: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Annupuri: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Grand Hirafu: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Hanazono: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Moiwa: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Now 2022-2023 season Data as of Sunday 27th November 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 16cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 4 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 12cm (17th November) November 2022 snowfall 16cm reported on 4 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Nozawa Onsen region of Nagano New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 0cm Posted on Friday 25th November 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Nozawa Now report can be found here . Good morning from Nozawa. There is some snow on the upper Yamabiko and Uenotaira areas this morning. Just a bit. Today should be dry and perhaps sunny. I will be back early next week with another update. Nozawa Now 2022-2023 season Data as of Friday 25th November 2022 Total snowfall at base 0cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 0 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 0cm November 2022 snowfall 0cm Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Nozawa Onsen. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Hakuba region of Nagano New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 0cm Posted on Monday 21st November 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Hakuba Now report can be found here . Hello and good morning from Hakuba. We got rain on overnight, but this morning the clouds have cleared, and it's a beautiful morning with just some clouds in places... but mostly blue skies. Around Wednesday and into Thursday, we will probably get more rain down in the village, but it should be snowing higher up in the mountains again. Hopefully, I will have some fun snowy news for you again later in the week. By the way, while Hakuba Sanosaka does plan to re-open this season, there's no official info/details out there just yet. Will let you know when I know. News from Hakuba Norikura coming soon too. Hakuba Now 2022-2023 season Data as Monday 21st November 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 0cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 0 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 0cm November 2022 snowfall 0cm Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Hakuba. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 15cm Posted on Friday 18th November 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here After that nice amount of snow yesterday things have eased off for this morning. I have just about 1cm more to add since my report yesterday. I thought it would be more than that because it was coming down at quite a rate at some points during the day. This morning felt really cold early on and outside it has been icy too. I am guessing the coldest of the autumn/winter so far. There is quite a lot of cloud around now, but some blue sky still with the sun at least trying to break through at times. We might get some rain later on today. Forecasts don't seem to show much potential for significant snow in the coming week. Basically, don't be too surprised if the current lovely snow turns into slush and then disappears, at least at lower areas. Whatever happens, I will keep you updated. ---------- Planned opening dates: Niseko Village: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Annupuri: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Grand Hirafu: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Hanazono: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Moiwa: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Now 2022-2023 season Data as of Friday 18th November 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 15cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 3 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 12cm (17th November) November 2022 snowfall 15cm reported on 3 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 0cm Posted on Friday 18th November 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . It was a foggy morning at Mt. Myoko; when the mists moved the snow is still up there, almost down to the Akakura Kanko Hotel. It’s going to melt in the nice sun today (and we all have last-minute snow preparations to finish up, and it’s nice to have some good weather to rush around in), but that snow tells me it’s time to give a little pre-season presentation on our fair mountain. And surroundings. No major changes on the hills in terms of lifts and runs and such. The only thing to note is the closure of the Champion No. 1 lift, the very bottom lift and run at the bottom of the Akakan side of the two Akakura areas. The lift actually stopped running last season, due to low numbers and the run kind of being set apart from the rest of the Akakan runs. Just remember if you do head to the bottom of the area that you either need a ticket at Akakura Onsen to go back up, or walk the 10 minutes or so down the road back to the Akakan gondola. There’s a new decorative waterfall now being completed at the base of Akakura Kanko (Kanko) next to the Myoko Sky Cable gondola. Don’t know how much of it will actually be visible in the snowy months (did you know there’s another waterfall between the gondola and the main road? It’s under there). The biggest news is, of course, the pending return of international travelers after two viral-influenced years. Hotels look like they’re filling up all over the area, with guides and others reporting an increasing number of requests for tours and lessons and other activities. One worry is that two of the larger/more popular restaurants have closed in the last year or so, so it could be pretty hard to get a meal in town - reservations became a requirement in the pre-covid days, so it could be even more difficult this season. Take the friendly local train to Joetsu! There are all the usual rumors: Will Prince sell Myoko Suginohara? Madarao did get a new owner in the fall, we hear. Will Kanko finally replace its aging gondola (it’s coming up on 40 - I understand it is Japan’s longest gondola with the least change in altitude, if that makes sense)? Will we get as much snow as last season’s amazing falls? Will I actually finish repairing my snow-damaged container house before the snow really falls? Things are changing, no doubt about it, with more international money and more international guests. I hope we keep some of our traditional feeling through it all, though - and the mountains aren’t going to change. In the end, I guess, those great peaks are what’s most important about being here. Look up to Mt. Myoko, and it's always a good day. Looking forward to welcoming you to Myoko! Myoko Now 2022-2023 season Data as of Friday 18th November 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 0cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 0 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 0cm November 2022 snowfall 0cm Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Myoko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 12cm Snowfall at base this season 14cm Posted on Thursday 17th November 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Well, well, well! We did get more snowfall during the day yesterday and it has been snowing this morning, too. The Hanazono image from below is from earlier this morning when lovely big flakes were coming down. Snow is still falling at lunchtime, though not quite at the same rate as before. But we have had a fairly decent amount of snow and there's going to be a nice layer out there on the mountain. I wonder how much. But it definitely feels like winter now. (Excite!) It also feels like I will have to get used to the daily early morning routine fairly soon... Someone asked about covid. Since my first main report a week or two ago, the reported covid case numbers in Japan have been rising quite quickly, and there is talk of the '8th wave'. Japan is still kind of obsessed with those case numbers, even if perhaps less so than before. And perhaps it's mostly a media-driven thing. As things are, it seems the government isn't planning on introducing restrictive measures. The mask-wearing thing isn't going anywhere soon, though. But anyway, rest assured, I do not intend to mention covid in my reports unless it feels very relevant. Hopefully, it won't often be. ---------- Planned opening dates: Niseko Village: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Annupuri: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Grand Hirafu: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Hanazono: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Moiwa: Saturday 3rd December 2022 Niseko Now 2022-2023 season Data as of Thursday 17th November 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 14cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 2 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 12cm (17th November) November 2022 snowfall 14cm reported on 2 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com