Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 20cm Snowfall at base this season 197cm Posted on Wednesday 16th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here The snowfall has continued and this morning I have 20cm to report to you. With my new self-appointed duty of doing the change in snow depth thingy - see yesterdays report - it's interesting to note that three of the areas are increasing their base more than upper numbers. My suggestion is to just look at these numbers as a point of interest, but not to obsess over them! Especially once things get going properly, it's the fresh snowfall that matters. Further snowfall is still expected over the coming days. The Dynamic Course at Niseko Annupuri is now available. Lift operations remain unchanged. Glad I had my toast early this morning... there's some blue sky and I think it's time to go out and check out the goods before the next batch of snow is delivered. Purely for research purposes of course. ----- Niseko Avalanche Report As always, we would like to thank the good people providing the Niseko Avalanche Report each morning. Respect. Keep safe! Moiwa base: -8℃, light wind, 30cm snowfall. Kutchan weather station: -7.1℃, SSW0.7m/s, 72cm snow depth, 1006hPa. Benkei Cape: NNW15m/s, Kamui cape: WNW10m/s, 1006hPa, 2.1m waves. Hanazono1000m: -13.3℃, NNE2.6m/s, Moiwa600m 1am: strong westerly wind, snow and bad visibility, the wind calmed down after 3am, 30cm snowfall in 12h. Annupuri1000m: NW10m/s, 30cm snowfall with snowdrifts developments. According to morning observations, reports from ski patrol and cat operators and various weather data transition, snowdrifts and cornices are developing in the eastern aspects above 800m elelvation. The development is relatively slow due to the windspeed remaining under 15m/s, making snowdrifts and cornices grow but remaining stable. The snow in the trees under 800m elevation is deep and good, unaffected by the wind. The overall avalanche risk is low except in leeward 30+° slopes just under the ridge. The bushes are getting buried, but still need some more snow. Access Gates are yet to be prepared and the out of bounds area is kept closed for the moment. Do not cross boundary ropes to access the off-pistes. The snow is forecasted to keep falling under the current favorable pressure distribution. There may be some clear windows in times, but the storm will switch back on and visibility will be lost as soon as the pressure gradient steepens. Remain careful. Fantastic inbounds and groomer condition today. Beware of frostbites. Have a nice day. ----- Ski resort operation information: Wednesday 16th December 2020 The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report. Niseko Grand Hirafu Part open Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 170cm (+15cm) - Base: 105cm (+10cm) Ski lifts operating: - Ace Family quad - Ace Number 2 Center quad - King Number 3 quad Courses available: - Family - Sennoki - Alpen - Green - Kokutai - Detour for Beginners - Center - Shirakaba - Rinkan (lower part) - Jumbo - Connection between King Number 3 and Center course ----- Niseko HANAZONO Resort Part open Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 135cm (+10cm) - Base: 80cm (+15cm) Ski lifts operating: - Hanazono Number 1 quad - Hanazono Number 2 quad - Hanazono Number 3 quad ----- Niseko Annupuri Part open Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 100cm (+20cm) - Base: 70cm (+25cm) Ski lifts operating: - Annupuri Gondola - Dream Number 1 quad - Jumbo Number 1 quad Courses available: - Utopia Course - Shirakaba Course - Family Course - Paradise Course - Dynamic Course - Junior Course ----- Niseko Village Part open Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 90cm (+10cm) - Base: 60cm (+20cm) Ski lifts operating: - Niseko Gondola - Village Express - Community Chair - Banzai Chair ----- Night time operations are available in the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas from Saturday 19th December 2020. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area. Niseko Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Wednesday 16th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 197cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 17 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (10th November and 15th December) November 2020 snowfall 62cm reported on 6 days December 2020 snowfall 135cm 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 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 18cm Snowfall at base this season 160cm Posted on Tuesday 15th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . There is another 18cm of new snow to report this morning and very likely we will see more accumulate during the day. Visibility is not the greatest with cloud rolling down the ski resort to around the mid mountain level, but this may lift later in the morning. There is little in the way of wind and the temperature has already hit the high for today - it will only get colder from now on. Most of the Furano Zone is open now and with all this fresh snow the conditions are excellent for December. Furano Zone open Kitanomine Zone closed Furano Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Tuesday 15th December 2020 Total snowfall at base 160cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 16 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 27cm (8th December) November 2020 snowfall 48cm reported on 7 days December 2020 snowfall 112cm reported on 9 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 Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 11cm Snowfall at base this season 28cm Posted on Tuesday 15th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Went to bed last night not at all happy with the forecasters - it was starry! - however, Bingo, this morning a further 11cms (and growing) and the Utopia slope has opened with the best growth of 20cms overnight. It is even white down in the valley with snow falling everywhere so I think we can safely say that the snow is here. Lifts operating: - Chuo Number 1 pair - Chuo Number 2 pair - Utopia pair - Zao Ropeway (both sections) - Zao Chuo Ropeway - Sky Cable Ski course areas open: - Chuo (part) - Utopia (part) Official snow depths (as reported by the ski area): - Summit area: 40cm - Paradise area: 35cm - Chuo area: 50cm - Utopia area: 45cm - Uwanodai area: 20cm - Oomori area: 20cm - Kurohime: 20cm Floodlit night skiing: Uwanodai area: - 26th December 2020 until 6th March 2021 (daily) - 13th, 19th, 20th March 2021 Yokokura area: - 26th December 2020 until 3rd January 2021 (daily) - 8th January until 6th March 2021 (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays) Zao Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Tuesday 15th December 2020 Total snowfall at base 28cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 3 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 16cm (on 14th December) November 2020 snowfall 0cm December 2020 snowfall 28cm observed 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 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 Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 34cm Snowfall at base this season 74cm Posted on Tuesday 15th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . Another day of your reporter enjoying early-season snow clearing, and forgetting to put up a report.... OK, the season isn't actually going yet, right? In fact, we do have an early opener to report. The season has now begun! Lotte Arai has two lifts running now. I have to say that their snow figures seem a bit generous; this is a great start, but I really wonder about the possibility that more than two meters has fallen there, but not anywhere else.... And over two days. But we are over the 50cm mark here at Akakan (34cm and growing today; see photo), and the snow keeps falling nicely. So no griping (just keep an eye on those numbers!). There's a rumor, too, that Akakura Onsen might open Thursday. No word for sure on their website, so we'll let you know as soon as official notice comes up. Akakura Kanko Dec. 19 Akakura Onsen Dec. 12 (so 19th, maybe earlier) Ikenotaira Onsen Dec. 19 Myoko Suginohara Dec. 26 Seki Onsen Dec. 19 Kyukamura Myoko RunRun Dec. 19 Myoko Ski Park Closed this season Kurohime Kogen Dec. 26 Myoko Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Tuesday 15th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 74cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 4 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 34cm (15th December) November 2020 snowfall 1cm reported on 1 day December 2020 snowfall 73cm 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 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 Shiga Kogen region of Nagano New snowfall at base 7cm Snowfall at base this season 37cm Posted on Tuesday 15th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Shiga Kogen Now report can be found here . Morning! Lots of snow in the region but actually less so up here in Shiga Kogen. Sometimes that happens. Kumanoyu are reporting a modest 5cm of fresh snow... Yakebitaiyama are reporting 20cm, perhaps from the top of the mountain. It's a cold morning though and we have lots of snow still there on the forecast in the coming days. There is a bit of sunshine peeping through the clouds at the moment. It is probably just temporary as more clouds roll in... Official reported snow depths and operating lifts at time of report: Ichinose Family: - Ichinose Number 2 pair lift A line - Reported snow depth: 30cm Kumanoyu: - Kumanoyu Number 2 pair lifts (A and B) - Reported snow depth: 40cm Takamagahara Mammoth: - Takamagahara Number 2 triple lift - Reported snow depth: 30cm Yakebitaiyama: - Yakebitaiyama Number 4 pair lift - Reported snow depth: 50cm Yokoteyama: - Yokoteyama Number 1 Sky B line - Yokoteyama Number 4 pair lift - Reported snow depth: 70cm Shiga Kogen Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Tuesday 15th December 2020 Total snowfall at base 37cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 9 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 12cm (14th December) November 2020 snowfall 12cm reported on 4 days December 2020 snowfall 25cm 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 Shiga 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 Nozawa Onsen region of Nagano New snowfall at base 17cm Snowfall at base this season 30cm Posted on Tuesday 15th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Nozawa Now report can be found here . Lots of lovely snowy scenes this morning in Nozawa as the snow continues. The resort was reporting 15-20cm of snowfall on the upper slopes during the day by yesterday afternoon and another 20cm this morning. So that's 35-40cm of fresh snow on the upper areas of the mountain since yesterday. Looks like it is set in as well, with snow on the forecast through into next week. Excellent. It already just feels very different from last year. (A good thing!) No further lifts or courses appear to be open just yet but I would imagine some opening up pretty soon. The resort is probably in one of those 'coping' modes right now as it deals with all the incoming snow. Which is, of course, a great problem to have. Fresh snowfall recorded by the resort (since yesterday morning): - Yamabiko (1407m): 40cm - Uenotaira (1230m): 35cm - Hikage (660m): -cm (not reporting yet) - Nagasaka (615m): -cm (not reporting yet) - Karasawa (563m): -cm (not reporting yet) Official snow depth numbers (reported by the ski area): - Yamabiko (1407m): 50cm - Uenotaira (1230m): 40cm - Hikage (660m): -cm - Nagasaka (615m): -cm - Karasawa (563m): -cm Planned operating lifts: - Nagasaka Gondola (8:30am - 5:30pm; last one down at 4pm) - Yamabiko Four quad lift (8:45am - 3:30pm) - Yamabiko Number 2 Four quad lift (8:40am - 3:40pm) - Uenotaira Four quad lift (8:50am - 3:40pm) Courses currently open: - Yamabiko C Course (850m) - Yamabiko D Course (1250m) - Uenotaira Course (2000m) Nozawa Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Tuesday 15th December 2020 Total snowfall at base 30cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 2 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 17cm (15th December) November 2020 snowfall 0cm December 2020 snowfall 30cm 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 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 19cm Snowfall at base this season 52cm Weather overview Snow Wind Light Temperature - Visibility Varied Posted on Tuesday 15th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Madarao Now report can be found here . Hello from Madarao. I am very happy to bring you your daily dose of Madarao snow. About 20cm since yesterday and more due in the coming days. It's cold too. The ski area is showing a snow depth of close on 40cm. I think it is safe to say that both ski areas will be opening as planned on 19th December. Madarao Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Tuesday 15th December 2020 Total snowfall at base 52cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 7 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 19cm (on 15th December) November 2020 snowfall 12cm reported on 4 days December 2020 snowfall 40cm 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 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 48cm Snowfall at base this season 136cm Posted on Tuesday 15th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Geto Kogen Now report can be found here . Morning from Geto. Good news. Snow! And lots of it too. The ski area is actually reporting 100cm of snowfall (!) I'm presuming that is on the mountain as not that much here, but there is still a lot. And the other good news is that the ski area will be open from tomorrow, Wednesday 16th December. It may be later than planned, but with more snowfall due in the coming days it looks like we can get off to a flying start tomorrow. Official snow depth (as reported by the ski area): Top: 80cm Base: 50cm Geto Kogen Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Tuesday 15th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 136cm Number of days snowfall observed 8 days Most snowfall observed on 1 day 55cm (on 12th November) November 2020 snowfall 73cm observed on 3 days December 2020 snowfall 63cm observed 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 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 Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 32cm Snowfall at base this season 177cm Posted on Tuesday 15th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here A very good morning to you. Great news today. Over 30cm of fresh snow just measured outside and has been falling this morning, though has eased off just before and in places some blue sky has started to appear. The forecasts remains for snow, though, so this is likely just a temporary break. It might be snowing again just after I post this. Snow is on the forecast every day through into next week. So don't get bored of my talking about snow, please. And if you are venturing out, as exciting as this all is, let's take extra care! The only change I can see right now in terms of lift/course operations is the Family course at Annupuri being added to the list. I would expect more changes coming soon... perhaps even today). Always trying to find ways to make my reports take me more time in a morning, I have added a few numbers to the report. For example: Official snow depth (reported by resort): - Peak: 155cm (+25cm) - Base: 95cm (+20cm) The new numbers are the ones in brackets. They show the change since the previous report. I was quite good at math(s) at school, so I should be good. I will endeavour to keep this going especially when there are big changes. Remember these numbers are official numbers put out there by the ski areas themselves. I am simply reporting on them. Just as a bit of interesting information. These numbers can be found in each report in the lower section. (I do actually check and update that lot each morning!) ----- Niseko Avalanche Report As always, we would like to thank the good people providing the Niseko Avalanche Report each morning. Respect. Keep safe! >> Kutchan Town: SSW3.5m/s, -8.1℃, snow depth 63cm, 1006.6hPa. Moiwa 600m: WNW3m/s, -9℃, 55cm new snow, poor visibility. Hanazono 1000m: SSE3.1m/s, -15.2℃. Coastal Data- Cape Benkei: WNW18m/s. Cape Kamui: W11m/s, 1005hPa, wave 2.5m. Moiwa Base: -10℃, 45cm new snow, snow depth 70cm. 1500m Elevation Reference: WNW15m/s. This season’s strongest winter weather pattern is bringing cold air and has dropped over 50cm of snow in the last 24hrs. And more is coming. Above 1000m blizzard conditions, however winds are less than 15m/s. Cornices and and snowdrifts are large above 800m and growth continues steadily. Leeward slopes on the west side around 1000m have 150cm+ snowdrift growth, cornices will easily collapse and avalanches could occur easily on open steep slopes. On leeward snowdrift slopes, 30deg and steeper with buried bamboo around 800m, there is the possibility of surface avalanche fracturing at over 60cm depth. Better to not go riding until visibility gets better and the snowdrifts stabilise. We can finally ride in the trees, but the snow is deep and heavy and hard to get through. The snow on the sides of the runs is fantastic. Be careful of hidden obstacles. Gates will take a little more time before they can open. Please respect and understand Niseko Rules. ----- Ski resort operation information: Tuesday 15th December 2020 The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report. Niseko Grand Hirafu Part open Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 155cm (+25cm) - Base: 95cm (+20cm) Ski lifts operating: - Ace Family quad - Ace Number 2 Center quad - King Number 3 quad Courses available: - Family - Sennoki - Alpen - Green - Kokutai - Detour for Beginners - Center - Shirakaba - Rinkan (lower part) - Jumbo - Connection between King Number 3 and Center course ----- Niseko HANAZONO Resort Part open Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 125cm (+20cm) - Base: 70cm (+10cm) Ski lifts operating: - Hanazono Number 1 quad - Hanazono Number 2 quad - Hanazono Number 3 quad ----- Niseko Annupuri Part open Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 80cm (+15cm) - Base: 45cm (+10cm) Ski lifts operating: - Annupuri Gondola - Dream Number 1 quad - Jumbo Number 1 quad Courses available: - Utopia Course - Shirakaba Course - Family Course - Paradise Course - Junior Course ----- Niseko Village Part open Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 80cm (+20cm) - Base: 40cm (+10cm) Ski lifts operating: - Niseko Gondola - Village Express - Community Chair - Banzai Chair ----- Night time operations are available in the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas from Saturday 19th December 2020. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area. Niseko Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Tuesday 15th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 177cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 16 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (10th November and 15th December) November 2020 snowfall 62cm reported on 6 days December 2020 snowfall 115cm reported on 10 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 14cm Snowfall at base this season 142cm Posted on Monday 14th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . There was a good dump of snow arrived yesterday afternoon, and overnight there has been more. In total there is 14cm of new snow to report. The day is cold,-10c now, and the expected high is -7c. Calm conditions with no significant wind. The snow may continue off and on through the day but for now it has almost stopped. The Furano Zone snow conditions will be excellent today with powder snow and good coverage from the top to base of the resort. A1 (850m) A2 (1,750m) D1 (800m) D2 (740m) Reserved for race training D3 (530m) Reserved for race training E1 (430m) B1 (1,410m) C1 (900m) C2 (570m) Furano Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Monday 14th December 2020 Total snowfall at base 142cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 15 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 27cm (8th December) November 2020 snowfall 48cm reported on 7 days December 2020 snowfall 94cm reported on 8 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 Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 16cm Snowfall at base this season 17cm Posted on Monday 14th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . It is always good to be woken up by the sound of the road clearance bulldozer (the earlier the better as an indication of how much fell overnight). This morning was 06:40 (05:00 would have been better!) so a pleasant surprise to find 16cm fell overnight (at base), as there was a depressing cessation of snowfall by early evening yesterday. Snow reports coming in from around the mountain for collation were therefore delayed this morning. Higher up, reported levels more or less doubled, however, no additional slopes are open yet. A few more days of the same should do it, fingers crossed. Incidentally, anyone driving up this week, please note that temperatures are inside the -3C to -7C black ice zone so please do be careful, especially on corners. Right, I'm off to clear the edges of our roofs to prevent the build up of ice. Whilst seeing how long icicles can get may be fun, the ice they are attached to can be like 10cms+ slabs of concrete flagstones, not something you want falling on your head. (Don't stand under the lip of a roof - snow falling on someone may be a laugh but it may be hiding something nasty! - a local was killed in the village two years ago). Zao Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Monday 14th December 2020 Total snowfall at base 17cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 2 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 16cm (on 14th December) November 2020 snowfall 0cm December 2020 snowfall 17cm observed 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 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 Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 27cm Snowfall at base this season 40cm Posted on Monday 14th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . Winter, I think we can say, officially arrived this morning. And your reporter would have gotten this good news out earlier, but this was the first day of snow clearing to be done, and there is a lot of lingering summertime deskwork to do (so stayed up late, woke far later than our "real" season target of 05:30). But the lifts aren't moving yet, although with today's fall, and more very likely over the next few days, I think we'll see some sliding very shortly. Almost 30cm here at base! Good, sticky, heavy early-season snow, just the right stuff to get a base set up on the hill. Mild temperatures, very little wind now, and the snow keeps falling. The barometer really crashed overnight, but it's rising again. Still looks like tomorrow could be another good one, with that Siberian wind coming straight at us (please see the local weather reports here on Snow Japan, with the beautiful displays of the wind. I could watch that all day). Back with any updates; otherwise, it's countdown to ecstasy (look up Steely Dan, young readers). Myoko Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Monday 14th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 40cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 3 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 27cm (14th December) November 2020 snowfall 1cm reported on 1 day December 2020 snowfall 39cm 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 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