Independent snow and weather reporting from the Nozawa Onsen region of Nagano New snowfall at base 75cm Snowfall at base this season 287cm Posted on Friday 31st December 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Nozawa Now report can be found here . The snow is really coming down at the moment. Get this: Yesterday afternoon the ski area was reporting 20cm of snow on the top area. That's from the daytime yesterday. This morning there's an additional 85cm. I make that a total of 105cm. The numbers on lower areas were different from what they are now when I checked earlier, so not sure what's going on there. I might adjust my own number later as I go out and start shovelling the snow and getting more of a feel of what we have, want it to be representative. [Update: updated!] But whatever the number, it's a whole lot. Deep powder conditions. I hear some lifts are going to be opening late this morning as they cope with the snow. I think Naski might sit it out too. [Updated: tonight's night time and new year countdown events have been cancelled due to the heavy snow] Information checked each morning at time of report. All subject to change. Fresh snowfall recorded by the ski area (total since yesterday morning): - Yamabiko (1615m): 105cm - Uenotaira (1407m): 93cm - Hikage (660m): ?cm - Nagasaka (616m): ?cm - Karasawa (563m): ?cm Official snow depth numbers (reported by the ski area): - Yamabiko (1615m): 250cm - Uenotaira (1407m): 240cm - Hikage (660m): 165cm - Nagasaka (616m): 155cm - Karasawa (563m): 155cm All courses apart from the following plan to be open: - Yunomine A - Mizunashi A - Grand Prix - Mukobayashi - Hachiman - Kamoshika Planned operating lifts: - Most lifts are now scheduled to be open, subject to weather conditions. - The Utopia and Challenge pair lifts are normally rested on weekdays. - The Nagasaka quad lift is open for night skiing 30th Dec-1st Jan, 8th-9th Jan, 11th-12th Feb. Nozawa Now 2021-2022 season Data as of Friday 31st December 2021 Total snowfall at base 287cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 13 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 75cm (31st December) November 2021 snowfall 15cm reported on 2 days December 2021 snowfall 272cm reported on 11 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 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 Madarao region of Nagano New snowfall at base 60cm Snowfall at base this season 248cm Weather overview Snow Wind Northerly Temperature - Visibility Varied Posted on Friday 31st December 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Madarao Now report can be found here . Snow storm time! Visibility poor, cold, bit of a northerly wind. Care needed outside. Madarao reporting 40cm of fresh this morning and the official snow depth number is up to 200cm. I just measured 60cm (* updated). And counting. There's more in places. Now where's my shovel! See you in 2022. [Updated after extensive shovelling] Madarao Mountain Resort - Snowfall reported by the ski area (24 hours): 40cm - All lifts apart from Number 5 and 13 planned to be operating - 14 courses open - Tree run courses not open yet - 200cm official snow depth Tangram Ski Circus - All 5 lifts operating - 140cm official snow depth (not updated at time of this report) Madarao Now 2021-2022 season Data as of Friday 31st December 2021 Total snowfall at base 248cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 15 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 60cm (on 31st December) November 2021 snowfall 11cm reported on 2 days December 2021 snowfall 237cm reported on 13 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 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 Geto Kogen region of Iwate New snowfall at base 9cm Snowfall at base this season 537cm Posted on Friday 31st December 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Geto Kogen Now report can be found here . Good morning on this New Years Eve! Just 9cm to report this morning and the ski area reporting about 20cm on upper areas. It was a mix of cloud and snow yesterday in the end and it is snowing still this morning - but we might get some spells of clearer weather. But generally we should be excpecting a snowy start to 2022. See you then! Courses open: Most of Geto Kogen is open. Tree run courses: Heart and Rabbit, depending on conditions. More to open soon. Lifts operating (subject to change): Number 1 pair Number 2 pair Number 1 gondola Quad lift Official snow depth: Upper: 295cm Lower: 165cm Geto Kogen Now 2021-2022 season Data as of Friday 31st December 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 537cm Number of days snowfall observed 23 days Most snowfall observed on 1 day 61cm (on 26th December) November 2021 snowfall 106cm observed on 5 days December 2021 snowfall 431cm observed on 18 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 Geto Kogen. 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 18cm Snowfall at base this season 159cm Posted on Friday 31st December 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Hakuba Now report can be found here . Good morning from Hakuba. The award for the most new snowfall reported this morning goes to Hakuba Cortina, they are saying they got 50+cm. Woohoo! Other ski areas reporting a somewhat more modest 20cm upwards, with Happo reporting up just over 40cm at the Usagidaira level. All good. It is still snowing and everywhere has that white-grey look thing going on with visibility limited to poor in places on the mountain. All that fresh snow is enticing though... and there's lots more incoming according to forecasts. There will be various New Year things going on today and this evening, and I'm sure some fireworks too. Take care and let us hope for a good 2022. ----- I am happy to say that I think we are at the stage now where the ski areas in the area are all either mostly open or fully open. (Or as open as they intend to be). Always good to reach that point. As such I have cleaned up the information below. What I intend to do from now is to mention anything of note that stands out to me within the text of my report. I will of course continue to report the official snow depth numbers and any fresh snowfall that ski areas report each morning. ----- Total snowfall accumulation this season so far [*upper areas] [As reported by official sources at time of this report] Hakuba Goryu: 253cm Hakuba 47: 265cm Hakuba Happo-one: 254cm Hakuba Cortina: 229cm Tsugaike Mountain Resort: 283cm ----- Hakuba Goryu Reported snowfall: - Upper: 20cm Official snow depth: - Upper: 210cm - Toomi: 105cm Hakuba 47 Reported snowfall: - Summit: 20cm - Lower: 20cm Official snow depth: - Top: 210cm - Base: 100cm Hakuba Happo-one Reported snowfall: - Kurobishi: 30cm - Usagidaira: 42cm - Nakiyama: 20cm Official snow depth: - Kurobishi: 170cm - Usagidaira: 177cm - Nakiyama: 85cm Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field Reported snowfall: - Mountain Side: 20cm - Village Side: 10cm Official snow depth: - Mountain Side: 130cm - Village Side: 50cm Tsugaike Mountain Resort Reported snowfall: - Upper: 18cm Official snow depth: - Upper: 265cm - Lower: 95cm Hakuba Norikura Onsen Official snow depth: - 180cm Hakuba Cortina Reported snowfall: - Summit: 50+cm - Lower: 50+cm Official snow depth: - Top: 265cm - Base: 160cm ----- Hakuba Sanosaka is not opening for the 2021-2022 season Hakuba Now 2021-2022 season Data as of Friday 31st December 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 159cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 16 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (18th December) November 2021 snowfall 29cm reported on 4 days December 2021 snowfall 130cm reported on 12 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 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 7cm Snowfall at base this season 377cm Posted on Thursday 30th December 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here It is snowing nicely at the moment. Not quite as cold as it has been but still in negative numbers and later today and tomorrow is going to get colder. The snow is set to continue through into the New Year and beyond. All of the official courses at Niseko Grand Hirafu are now open. In other Hirafu news, it looks like the Ace Family quad lift will be open from 8:30am until 4:00pm until 10th January. I must admit I can't recall what the normal operating times are, but it's news so presumably an adjustment! The upper Jumbo Number 3 lift might open late this morning due to some 'inspection/maintenance'. Great to see the top lifts moving. And of course that means that you can get from one place to another without taking your skis or board off. It's never as fun taking the United Shuttle Bus to get around. As the report below states Gate 5 should be open today. The peak gates... not just yet. ----- Niseko Avalanche Report Niseko Base: -3℃, 5cm snowfall, calm. Moiwa800m: -9℃, 10cm snowfall, calm. Annupuri1100m: -7℃, light westerly wind with snowfall, 30cm snowdrifts moderately developing. Sea of Japan Benkei cape: NNW11m/s, Kamui cape: WNW10m/s, 1009hPa, 1.1m waves. The atmospheric pressure gradient is getting a little steeper and a light westerly wind with snowfall is blowing above 1000m elevation. According to all weather data and observations, the general avalanche risk is low at the moment, however it may change as the weather deteriorates. Old tracks are not covered, but the snow is good. Gate 5 (Hanazono) is scheduled to open today. Please follow the ski patrol's instructions. Bushes are thick and the gully is not fully buried in the lower section. Beware of irregularities and dips in the slopes. The sunlight is weak making it difficult to see the surface’s undulations. The slopes under the Higashi-One cornices could slide from the deeper weak layers. It is highly recommended not to traverse all the way, even if the gate might be open. Ride the fall-line, not across it. Traversing a steep slope can trigger an avalanche. Peak gates won’t open before New Year. Have a good day. ----- Planned ski area operations: Thursday 30th December 2021 The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report. Niseko Grand Hirafu Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 255cm (no change) - Base: 135cm (no change) Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 10cm - Base: 10cm Planned lift operations: - Ace Family quad - Ace Number 2 Center Four quad [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm] - Hirafu Gondola - Holiday Number 1 pair - King Number 3 quad - Swinging Monkey - King Number 4 (*maybe) Planned open courses: - All courses open ----- Niseko HANAZONO Resort Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 205cm (+5cm) - Base: 145cm (-2cm) Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 12cm - Base: 10cm Planned lift operations: - Hanazono Number 1 - Hanazono Number 2 quad - Hanazono Number 3 quad - Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm] ----- Niseko Annupuri Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 190cm (no change) - Base: 130cm (no change) Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 5cm - Base: 5cm Planned lift operations: - All lifts operating - Annupuri Gondola - Dream Number 1 quad - Jumbo Number 1 quad [* open for night skiing until 7:30pm] - Jumbo Number 2 pair - Jumbo Number 3 pair - Jumbo Number 4 pair Planned open courses: - All but one course are now open ----- Niseko Village Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 190cm - - Base: 130cm - Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area): - Peak: ?cm - Base: ?cm Planned lift operations: - Niseko Gondola - Village Express - Community Chair [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm] - Banzai Chair - Wonderland Chair Niseko Now 2021-2022 season Data as of Thursday 30th December 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 377cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 28 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (23rd December) November 2021 snowfall 85cm reported on 6 days December 2021 snowfall 292cm reported on 22 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 Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 9cm Snowfall at base this season 186cm Posted on Thursday 30th December 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . After the brilliantly clear day yesterday, we're back to fog. Viz is poor down to base, however, there are clear spells around Korohime and the lower Omori slopes. It should start snowing in the afternoon with a small amount overnight. The snow is set to continue throughout tomorrow with the wind picking up later in the day. Official snow depth Summit: 65cm Paradise: 90cm Chuo: 90cm Utopia: 135cm Uwanodai: 75cm The majority of lifts and areas and runs are now scheduled to be open. Zao Now 2021-2022 season Data as of Thursday 30th December 2021 Total snowfall at base 186cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 16 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (on 27th and 28th December) November 2021 snowfall 38cm observed on 3 days December 2021 snowfall 148cm observed on 13 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 Zao 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 Furano region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 6cm Snowfall at base this season 201cm Posted on Thursday 30th December 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . There has been another 6cm of new snow around the base of the ski area. Today is broken cloud and the morning sun is just starting to hit the Kitanomine village. Conditions are calm with no wind, and it is -7c and will go a little higher to -4c during the day. Snow is expected to start early in the afternoon. Kitanomine Zone closed. Furano Zone open. Operating lifts: Furano Ropeway Furano Downhill Swift Lift Furano Downhill Romance 2 chair Furano Downhill Romance 3 chair Prince Romance chair Furano Now 2021-2022 season Data as of Thursday 30th December 2021 Total snowfall at base 201cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 22 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (26th November) November 2021 snowfall 72cm reported on 5 days December 2021 snowfall 129cm reported on 17 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 Madarao region of Nagano New snowfall at base 2cm Snowfall at base this season 188cm Weather overview Light snow Wind Light Temperature - Visibility Varied Posted on Thursday 30th December 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Madarao Now report can be found here . Good morning. Yesterday we enjoyed some clearer skies but it's back to lower visibility this morning. It is relatively mild this morning and it's probably going to be one of those days when it gets colder as the day progresses. And the snow that is falling will get nicer along with the cold, and a whole lot of it is due as we get into tomorrow. Madarao Mountain Resort - Snowfall reported by the ski area (24 hours): 5cm - All lifts apart from Number 5 and 13 planned to be operating - 14 courses open - Tree run courses not open yet - 160cm official snow depth Tangram Ski Circus - All 5 lifts operating - 140cm official snow depth Madarao Now 2021-2022 season Data as of Thursday 30th December 2021 Total snowfall at base 188cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 14 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 42cm (on 18th December) November 2021 snowfall 11cm reported on 2 days December 2021 snowfall 177cm reported on 12 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 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 Geto Kogen region of Iwate New snowfall at base 9cm Snowfall at base this season 528cm Posted on Thursday 30th December 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Geto Kogen Now report can be found here . Just two more days left in 2021. How much snow will we get by the end of the year. Over 5m already. Light snow and relatively mild (mild doesn't seem right) this morning, and there might even be a chance of some rain today. Noooooo! But tomorrow is going to be colder and definitely snowy. Lots of snow on the forecast for the first week of January too. Courses open: Most of Geto Kogen is open. Tree run courses: Heart and Rabbit, depending on conditions. Lifts operating (subject to change): Number 1 pair Number 2 pair Number 1 gondola Quad lift Official snow depth: Upper: 295cm Lower: 165cm Geto Kogen Now 2021-2022 season Data as of Thursday 30th December 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 528cm Number of days snowfall observed 22 days Most snowfall observed on 1 day 61cm (on 26th December) November 2021 snowfall 106cm observed on 5 days December 2021 snowfall 422cm observed on 17 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 Geto Kogen. 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 18cm Snowfall at base this season 141cm Posted on Thursday 30th December 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Hakuba Now report can be found here . Moderate at times snow falling this morning, and around 20cm of fresh to report. There's a nice new layer on the ground. It's not particularly cold actually, and tomorrow should be colder still. Visibility is limited out there but it doesn't appear to be windy and ski areas are open as planned. The snow clouds should be with us over the next few days and it should get heavy at times too. That will be a fine way to end this year and a good way to begin the new one. ----- Total snowfall accumulation this season so far [*upper areas] [As reported by official sources at time of this report] Hakuba Goryu: 238cm Hakuba 47: 245cm Hakuba Happo-one: 229cm Hakuba Cortina: 204cm Tsugaike Mountain Resort: 240cm ----- Hakuba Goryu Reported snowfall: - Upper: 15cm Official snow depth: - Upper: 195cm - Toomi: 100cm Lift operations (planned): - Most lifts now operating Course openings (planned): - Most areas now open, apart from some of Iimori Hakuba 47 Reported snowfall: - Summit: 20cm - Lower: 20cm Official snow depth: - Top: 190cm - Base: 80cm Planned lift & course openings: - All scheduled lifts open (Line D usually only opens when the gondola is not operating) - All official runs now open - Tree Riding Zones also open Hakuba Happo-one Reported snowfall: - Kurobishi: 30cm - Usagidaira: 25cm - Nakiyama: 5cm Official snow depth: - Kurobishi: 140cm - Usagidaira: 135cm - Nakiyama: 65cm Information: - All planned areas are now open Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field Reported snowfall: - Mountain Side: 20cm - Village Side: 15cm Official snow depth: - Mountain Side: 110cm - Village Side: 40cm Lift operations (planned): - View 2 - 4 Sen East - 5 Sen South - Gondola - Kamo 1 - Chuo Tsugaike Mountain Resort Reported snowfall: - Upper: 18cm Official snow depth: - Upper: 214cm - Lower: 80cm Lift operations: - All areas now open Hakuba Norikura Onsen Official snow depth: - 160cm Lift operations (planned): - 6 of 9 lifts now operating Hakuba Cortina Reported snowfall: - Summit: ?cm - Lower: ?cm Official snow depth: - Top: 210cm - Base: 130cm Information: - All lifts and courses now open ----- Hakuba Sanosaka is not opening for the 2021-2022 season Hakuba Now 2021-2022 season Data as of Thursday 30th December 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 141cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 15 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (18th December) November 2021 snowfall 29cm reported on 4 days December 2021 snowfall 112cm reported on 11 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 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 14cm Snowfall at base this season 370cm Posted on Wednesday 29th December 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here I was out at Hanazono for night skiing yesterday. The snow was wonderful. Mt Yotei was looking beautiful earlier on this morning but is now shrouded in cloud. It's still fairly bright in places as I put this report together, and we can expect the chance of some more snow during the day. (Actually let me update that in real time, some very light snow falling right now). Probably not much in terms of cm today but we will be getting more from tomorrow and on New Years Eve. Today is the day that them there top lifts get moving! Yes, the Wonderland Chair at Niseko Village, the Jumbo Number 4 pair at Niseko Annupuri are confirmed to be moving and it looks like the top King Number 4 at Hirafu will be open too (apparently depending on conditions). That means that the mountain is now pretty much all open, perhaps with just a few minor exceptions. Yey! One other update as I am about to post the report: Hirafu Gondola is having some early morning issues. ----- I have said it before but the sometimes the truly bonkers amount of snowfall in short periods of time that some areas 'down south' receive is always very interesting to me. Some seem to get these magnificent spurts of ridiculous amounts of snow, but can then go dry for longer periods and not be that cold. I get the impression it's much more variable than here. Up here -- generally -- we seem to enjoy a more consistent season. The huge amounts must be really exciting, but I think I would prefer consistency. I won't get into comparing snow quality. That's definitely very controversial, but also well beyond my (ahem) expertise. I wish I knew those places better. I suppose for now I will just have to put up with knowing Niseko well. ;) ----- Niseko Avalanche Report Moiwa base: -7℃, 10cm snowfall, calm. Moiwa 800m: -11℃, NNW8m/s, 15cm new snow, cornices and snowdrifts developing. Annupuri 1100m: -10℃, 15cm new snow, calm. Coastal data Benkei cape: NW8m/s, Kamui cape: SW10m/s, 1018hPa, 1.2m waves. Wintery pressure distribution has loosened and the isobars are wide. Weak NW snow storm continued until dawn at above 800m elevation and cornices are slowly developing. Based on observation and weather data evaluation, the general avalanche risk is relatively low today. Yesterday’s track has been mostly reset. Cornices are likely to widely collapse, be careful. The snowpack is turning into thick slabs in wind-affected steep slopes with wind crests under the cornices and could fracture from a deeper weak layer. Avoid dropping in simultaneously and/or traversing slopes. Do not stay in the bottom of the gullies after riding. Snow is good in the treeruns. Hirafu, Annupuri, and Village’s Peak chair-lifts are opening today. Thanks to the groomer operators and ski patrols, the groomer runs are looking great. Watch out for overspeeding and collisions. Wind direction will change in the morning. Beware of the sudden change in the weather. Niseko avalanche meeting will be held from 6pm at Niseko chomin centre today. Mr Yuji Ishikawa, chairman of the Hokkaido Mountaineering Association will come as a guest and it is a rare chance to hear his talk. Hope the meeting will be a fruitful one. ----- Planned ski area operations: Wednesday 29th December 2021 The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report. Niseko Grand Hirafu Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 255cm (+10cm) - Base: 135cm (no change) Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 20cm - Base: 20cm Planned lift operations: - Ace Family quad - Ace Number 2 Center Four quad [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm] - Hirafu Gondola - Holiday Number 1 pair - King Number 3 quad - Swinging Monkey - King Number 4 (*maybe) Planned open courses: - Perhaps all open today (maybe) ----- Niseko HANAZONO Resort Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 200cm (-3cm) - Base: 147cm (+2cm) Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 15cm - Base: 15cm Planned lift operations: - Hanazono Number 1 - Hanazono Number 2 quad - Hanazono Number 3 quad - Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm] ----- Niseko Annupuri Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 190cm (no change) - Base: 130cm (no change) Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 10cm - Base: 10cm Planned lift operations: - Annupuri Gondola - Dream Number 1 quad - Jumbo Number 1 quad [* open for night skiing until 7:30pm] - Jumbo Number 2 pair - Jumbo Number 3 pair - Jumbo Number 4 pair Planned open courses: - All but one course are now open ----- Niseko Village Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 190cm - - Base: 130cm - Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area): - Peak: ?cm - Base: ?cm Planned lift operations: - Niseko Gondola - Village Express - Community Chair [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm] - Banzai Chair - Wonderland Chair Niseko Now 2021-2022 season Data as of Wednesday 29th December 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 370cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 27 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (23rd December) November 2021 snowfall 85cm reported on 6 days December 2021 snowfall 285cm reported on 21 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 Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 8cm Snowfall at base this season 177cm Posted on Wednesday 29th December 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . A modest amount of new snow today, however, it is a clear morning which makes a change and hoping to see the sun (albeit in and out) during the day. The temperature has also gone up a bit so, all round, a good time to be had today. Back to snow tomorrow although not expecting a lot until the 31st. Official snow depth Summit: 60cm Paradise: 90cm Chuo: 90cm Utopia: 130cm Uwanodai: 75cm The majority of lifts and areas and runs are now scheduled to be open. Zao Now 2021-2022 season Data as of Wednesday 29th December 2021 Total snowfall at base 177cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 15 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (on 27th and 28th December) November 2021 snowfall 38cm observed on 3 days December 2021 snowfall 139cm observed on 12 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 Zao 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