Independent snow and weather reporting from the Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 306m Weather overview Clear at base, snow higher Wind Moderate Temperature - Visibility - Posted at 8:17am on Tuesday 25th December 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . Merry/Happy Christmas everyone! A really nice day in Myoko, after the good snows of yesterday. Clear to the east, still some snow falling high up over the mountains. All the reports aren't in from the resorts yet, but I'll add what new snow levels are in--and then it's time for a Ho! Ho! Ho! and play in the snow (sorry, eggnog overload from last night). Operations and official snow depths Akakura Kanko (Akakan) 160cm, -4C Akakura Onsen 160cm, -5C Ikenotaira 90cm, -5C Suginohara 140cm, -10C Seki Onsen 180cm, -10C Kyukamura Open; no snow report (see neighboring Myoko Ski Park) Myoko Ski Park 145cm, -2C Tangram 120cm, -8C Madarao 130cm, -7C Myoko Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Tuesday 25th December 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 306cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 11 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 61cm (2nd December) November 2012 snowfall 17cm reported on 3 days December 2012 snowfall 289cm 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 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 Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 40cm Snowfall at base this season 306cm Weather overview Snow Wind Light Temperature - Visibility - Posted at 1:20pm on Monday 24th December 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . The snow is really falling today; a pretty solid wet base from the rain and wet snow yesterday slowly turned to some really nice powder overnight, and it's still falling pretty heavily at midday. The sloppy base was enough to freeze up my snow measurement boards, so no unofficial/actual measurement from the base level today (I figured about 50cm, close to Akakan's 40cm) The local talk was that things would go sunny over the next few days (and, as I've often said, bluebird doesn't really mena great skiing, does it? GIve us the heavy falls and powder), but it looks like we'll have a few more days of snow before it gets sunny toward the weekend, and perhaps also quiet a bit warmer on Saturday. Still early season, though; still lots of time to get that snow falling again. Myoko Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Monday 24th December 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 306cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 11 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 61cm (2nd December) November 2012 snowfall 17cm reported on 3 days December 2012 snowfall 289cm 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 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 Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 266cm Weather overview Cloud, some fog, light rain Wind Calm Temperature - Visibility - Posted at 5:46pm on Saturday 22nd December 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . Late report today, but not a great weather day today, not a great weather report at the moment, but things will be looking up tomorrow. I firmly believe. Gray and some rain today, but more lifts have opened and the feeling of the season is starting to build. A lot of ski schools were out for those first lessons for the hardcores, too. It's raining right at the moment, but there is some snow mixed in there. The freezing line is supposed to descend through the night (it was at 1500 meters during the day, which means it was pretty mild at base level), and if we're lucky there will be fresh on the ground in the morning. Looks like the chance of something heavy by tomorrow night, too! Myoko Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Saturday 22nd December 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 266cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 10 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 61cm (2nd December) November 2012 snowfall 17cm reported on 3 days December 2012 snowfall 249cm reported on 7 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 Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 15cm Snowfall at base this season 581cm Weather overview Cloud cover, snow Wind OK Temperature -8C base / -14C top Visibility Fair Posted at 9:22am on Thursday 3rd January 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here We ended up with some fine weather yesterday. We are back to snow and wind this morning - there's another 15-20cm of snow to report in Niseko this morning and once again a similar temperature. Early on the top lifts at each resort are not operating due to the wind (Jumbo Number 4 at Annupuri; Wonderland Chair at Niseko Village; Ace Number 4 and King Number 4 at Niseko Grand Hirafu; and Hanazono Number 3 at Niseko Hanazono). A few more lifts are running at reduced speed. Visibility is not too bad out there at the moment even with the snow falling. In fact, just now there was a quick and cheeky appearance of the sun from behind the clouds, but it was only for a short time. If the forecasts are correct, it should be snowing for the day and tomorrow as well. Perhaps get a bit colder too. Let's take a look at those JMA snowfall numbers for Kutchan in December 2012. The final number for the month was an impressive 306cm. So not quite the 349cm of December 2011 but more than the previous five Decembers. Some excellent conditions out there again and for the most part I don't think there'll be many complaints from the people who chose the early season. By my calculations we have now probably had over 6m of snow fall here in the Hirafu village area since the first snowfall of the season. Sounds good to me! Niseko Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Thursday 3rd January 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 581cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 41 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (10th, 11th, 19th December) November 2012 snowfall 118cm reported on 11 days December 2012 snowfall 418cm reported on 27 days January 2013 snowfall 45cm 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 Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 1466cm Weather overview Cloud Wind Moderate Temperature 8C base / 3C top Visibility Fair Posted at 1:33pm on Saturday 6th April 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Good morning from Niseko once again. Not too many of those left this season, though it feels like I've been posting reports forever but today an afternoon one makes a change. Hope you like the new look of the reports on the main site. Looks pretty good doesn't it? And now we have some interesting data and graphs on there too (valid for reports this season, not the archives). Oh ok sorry, you want a weather report too! Well we have had a cloudy day here with some winds messing around with a few lifts. Rain and strong winds due tonight and into tomorrow. Planned resort operations Niseko Hanazono - until Sunday 7th April Niseko Village - until Sunday 7th April and then 27th April until 6th May Niseko Annupuri - until Monday 6th May Niseko Grand Hirafu - until Monday 6th May Niseko Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Saturday 6th April 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 1464cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 109 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (27th January) November 2012 snowfall 118cm reported on 11 days December 2012 snowfall 418cm reported on 27 days January 2013 snowfall 443cm reported on 26 days February 2013 snowfall 316cm reported on 24 days March 2013 snowfall 164cm reported on 19 days April 2013 snowfall 7cm 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 Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 51cm Weather overview Cloud Wind Light Temperature -2C base / -7C top Visibility Fair Posted at 8:56am on Friday 23rd November 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here . The day has arrived! Two lifts are moving at Niseko Grand Hirafu this morning and the season in Niseko has officially started. Hirafu are saying that they have 90cm of snow on the upper slopes and 45cm on lower slopes. The Ace No2 Quad (Center 4) and Ace No3 Pair lifts are the ones taking people with wide smiles up the mountain as I write this. As I mentioned yesterday, Annupuri are not opening today as they wait for more snow to get things going. No new cm of snowfall to report since yesterday but it's keeping cold and still under zero. It was quite a clear morning earlier on but there are more clouds around now as the lifts open and probably even some more flakes of snow are due to fall, but likely nothing major. It was fun to see the resort prepare for opening yesterday and last night - having the lights on last night only added to the excitement. The village is certainly suddenly seeming busier but that is mostly with people involved in the local businesses making final preparations for the season. For those clever ones that have already got their preparation in place, I'm sure they will be making up some of the numbers of people out on the slopes in this early season phase. There's a rather familiar look to the weekly forecast as it stands at the moment... the chance of snowfall on most days. I'm good with that. Looks like it is going to get very cold indeed tonight before perhaps warming up slightly at the end of the weekend and into Monday - though warm is perhaps not the best choice of words! Have fun. Niseko Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Friday 23rd November 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 51cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 4 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 20cm (19th and 21st November) November 2012 snowfall 51cm 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 17cm Snowfall at base this season 266cm Weather overview Cloud Wind Calm Temperature - Visibility - Posted at 1:56pm on Friday 21st December 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . After some sun yesterday, the snow started again in the afternoon. A little less than 20 cm by the morning--heavier than what we've had recently, but it's still snow! The base keeps building, and more resorts keep on opening. Operations and official snow depths Akakura Kanko (Akakan) Sky Cable gondola, Nos. 3 & 5 lifts; 130cm Akakura Onsen Ginrei Nos. 3 & 5; Kumado Nos. 2, 4, 6; 130cm Ikenotaira Open; 70cm Suginohara Gondola; Mitahara zone closed; 110cm Seki Onsen Open; 140cm Kyukamura Opening December 22 Myoko Ski Park Open; 120cm Tangram No. 3 lift; 40cm Madarao Nos. 1 & 2 lifts; 60cm Myoko Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Friday 21st December 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 266cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 10 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 61cm (2nd December) November 2012 snowfall 17cm reported on 3 days December 2012 snowfall 249cm reported on 7 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 Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 65cm Snowfall at base this season 249cm Weather overview Cloud cover Wind Moderate Temperature - Visibility - Posted at 9:14am on Wednesday 19th December 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . Oh, that powder snow is here. Really light, fluffy, powder snow--not what you'd expect in December, but really nice. Today is not a day to sit and write snow reports; just the facts, and I'm out the door! Myoko Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Wednesday 19th December 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 249cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 9 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 61cm (2nd December) November 2012 snowfall 17cm reported on 3 days December 2012 snowfall 232cm reported on 6 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 Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 0cm Weather overview - Wind - Temperature - Visibility - Posted at 4:43pm on Wednesday 7th November 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . It's a wintery-looking day up in the mountains today; we've had rain and sun and one of the biggest rainbows I've ever seen here. Looks like it could be snowing up high—hard to say for sure, but it's always fun to look up and think about the coming months. The real snow probably won't hit until late this month at the earliest—we usually get one big dump of wet snow that breaks trees and strands people who put off the change to snow tires, but won't linger or be deep enough to get the lifts going. I wanted to thank the SnowJapan team, who put up a few initial reports. Your reporter at the base of the Akakan Ski Area is now here, ready to go. I'll try and update things once a week or so until things really get going. If there's snow at base level, I'll let you know (on the peaks--OK, it looks nice, but you're not going to go get into it!). Changes: the only major change for the season is the removal of one of the main lifts at Akakan. This means a little longer ski down to get the main lift to the top. Word is that it's economics--there is some duplication of lifts (but try telling that to the race groups that regularly use the big Champion slope), and labor costs are just too high. I'm told that electricity is not an issue, but keeping staff on is. Having said that, though, it looks like there will be a much higher international presence this season. A few of the hotels are basically sold out. And that means more people on weekdays as well as the weekends. One lift going out won't matter that much, though. The countdown begins..... Myoko Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Saturday 3rd November 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 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 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 Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 0cm Weather overview Mostly cloudy, light snow Wind Light Temperature 2C base / 0C top Visibility - Posted at 11:06am on Saturday 3rd November 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . More 'signs' to report from Myoko where the first snow of the season was walked upon up at Tsubame Onsen (1120m) yesterday morning. 3cm or so of it as well and of course higher up would have got more. The snow crept quite a fair bit down the mountain as well and this morning we can still see the top half of Myoko with a bit of a coating... It will get slightly warmer over the next few days but we can perhaps expect a bit more snowfall later on in the coming week. Myoko Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Saturday 3rd November 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 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 2cm Snowfall at base this season 1493cm Weather overview Cloud, light snow Wind Light Temperature 4C base / 1C top Visibility Varied Posted at 8:00am on Friday 3rd May 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here ...and it's not quite over yet, as they say! A dusting of snow this morning at base areas though it is more like sleet right now as I write this. Niseko Grand Hirafu resort are actually seeing an increase of 5cm for their upper slopes snow depth data this morning and so there might be some more 'deep' to find up there this morning for those heading out early... it has been a really great start to, er, May! With cloud and snow still falling up there, it's not good visibility today. The precipitation should ease by around lunchtime and leave us with just cloud. Drier conditions are forecast now through Monday. The Hirafu Gondola is operating today for the rest of Golden Week, ie. until Monday. For those of you interested, today is Constitution Memorial Day (Kenpo kinenbi), tomorrow is Greenery Day (Midori no hi) and Monday is The Last Day of the Season (otherwise known as Childrens's Day, Kodomo no hi!). Niseko Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Friday 3rd May 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 1491cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 113 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (27th January) November 2012 snowfall 118cm reported on 11 days December 2012 snowfall 418cm reported on 27 days January 2013 snowfall 443cm reported on 26 days February 2013 snowfall 316cm reported on 24 days March 2013 snowfall 164cm reported on 19 days April 2013 snowfall 32cm reported on 6 days May 2013 snowfall 2cm 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 Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 5cm Snowfall at base this season 1491cm Weather overview Cloud, rain Wind Light Temperature 4C base / 1C top Visibility Varied Posted at 8:20am on Tuesday 30th April 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here It's quite bright this morning, but cloudy and raining as I write this... Niseko Village are actually reporting light snow higher up on the resort area. Currently it is around 4 degrees here at Hirafu base. Rain on and off forecast for the day, but when it gets colder overnight there's a chance it might just turn into some white stuff for us. I'll let you know tomorrow of course. Back to a normal weekday today (or sort of normal, sandwiched as it is between the two main parts of Golden Week) and as such the Hirafu gondola is being rested for a few days now and should be back open from Friday until Monday... the last day of the season. Other lifts appear to be ready to be moving as normal this morning. Niseko Now 2012-2013 season Data as of Tuesday 30th April 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 1491cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 113 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (27th January) November 2012 snowfall 118cm reported on 11 days December 2012 snowfall 418cm reported on 27 days January 2013 snowfall 443cm reported on 26 days February 2013 snowfall 316cm reported on 24 days March 2013 snowfall 164cm reported on 19 days April 2013 snowfall 32cm reported on 6 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