Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 5cm Snowfall at base this season 157cm Posted on Monday 11th December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here I am happy to report improved news this morning. I have just measured 5cm of fresh snowfall (as always, results will vary depending on exactly where you are) and it is snowing as I put this report together. The Hanazono webcam shows it snowing quite nicely over there, actually. It's noticeably colder too, with Hirafu and Village ski areas reporting a temperature of -15C and -14C higher up a bit earlier on. Good! Niseko Annupuri and Niseko Tokyu Hirafu are both back open this morning. That is of course good to see, though the choices are all still very limited as we wait for more snow to arrive. This week should bring some. (I'm not 100% sure on the status of Niseko Moiwa ski area, but their website seems to indicate that the pair lift is on standby to open). ------------------ Individual ski area information for Monday 11th December 2023 The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources. Lift information is the planned operations for the day at the time of writing. Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 10cm - Base: 10cm Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 70cm (+10cm since yesterday) - Base: 15cm (+5cm since yesterday) Lifts: - Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four) (8:30am-3:10pm) * used for transport only - Ace Number 3 pair (8:40am-3:20pm) Courses: - Center Course ------------------ Niseko HANAZONO Resort Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 10cm - Base: 10cm Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 60cm (+15cm since yesterday) - Base: 35cm (+32cm since yesterday; hmm, don't think so!) Lifts: - Hanazono Number 1 (9:00am-2:00pm) - Hanazono Number 2 quad (9:00am-3:00pm) Courses: - Mango Salad ------------------ Niseko Annupuri Kokusai Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 0cm - Base: 0cm Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 40cm (no change since yesterday) - Base: 10cm (no change since yesterday) Lifts: - Dream Number 1 quad (8:30am-4:00pm) Courses: - Beginners run by the lift ------------------ Niseko Village Ski Resort Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 15cm (no change since yesterday) - Base: 5cm (no change since yesterday) Lifts: - Upper Village Gondola (8:30am-4:00pm) * used for transport only - Community Chair (8:30am-4:00pm) ------------------ Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort Lifts: - Number 1 pair lift (8:00am-4:00pm) ------------------ Floodlit night skiing is planned from Saturday 16th December 2023 until Wednesday 20th March 2024. Niseko Now 2023-2024 season Data as of Monday 11th December 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 157cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 16 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 25cm (1st December) November 2023 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 days December 2023 snowfall 37cm reported on 5 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Nozawa Onsen region of Nagano New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 26cm Posted on Saturday 9th December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Nozawa Now report can be found here . The sun is out. There are quite a few people around. I wouldn't be surprised to see our favourite bright green skiing vegetable Naski out and about today! Is it milder than we would like? Sure. But I'm itching to get out there myself this morning. Got to play with what we got, right? While today will be the warmest (and hopefully the warmest of the month/winter!), temps are going to gradually drop. Nothing dramatic on the cards just yet. Fresh snowfall since yesterday morning (reported by the ski area): Yamabiko: 0cm Uenotaira: 0cm Hikage: - Nagasaka: - Karasawa: - Official snow depth numbers (reported by the ski area): Yamabiko: 40cm Uenotaira: 30cm Hikage: - Nagasaka: - Karasawa: - Lifts operating: Nagasaka Gondola (8:30am-3:30pm; last one down at 4:00pm) Yamabiko Number 2 Four quad lift (8:40am-3:40pm) Yamabiko Four quad lift (8:45am-3:30pm) Uenotaira Four quad lift (8:50am-3:40pm) Courses available: Yamabiko A (1,300m) Yamabiko C (850m) Yamabiko D (1,250m) Yamabiko B and E (some restrictions) Uenotaira (2,000m) Notes: The top area is open. You need to get the gondola back down to base. All base areas are closed. Nozawa Now 2023-2024 season Data as of Saturday 9th December 2023 Total snowfall at base 26cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 4 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 13cm (25th November) November 2023 snowfall 21cm reported on 2 days December 2023 snowfall 5cm 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 Geto Kogen region of Iwate New snowfall at base 5cm Snowfall at base this season 195cm Posted on Friday 8th December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Geto Kogen Now report can be found here . Morning from Geto Kogen. Cloud with rain yesterday but we got some sleet from around 6pm which turned into snow overnight. So we have a modest amount of fresh this morning and a temp as of 8am of 1.7C at base. This morning the sun is out and it mostly blue sky (with a few small fast moving clouds in places). Saturday should bring more sun with the chance of a bit of rain as it will be very mild. Happily, Sunday should see a drop in temperatures with snow to follow early to mid-week. Lifts operating (planned): Number 1 gondola Runs open (planned): All the main runs. Tree run courses will open at a later date. Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): 95cm (top) 43cm (base) New snowfall (reported by the ski area): 5cm (top) Cumulative snowfall this season (reported by the ski area): 420cm (top) Geto Kogen Now 2023-2024 season Data as of Friday 8th December 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 195cm Number of days snowfall observed 9 days Most snowfall observed on 1 day 73cm (on 30th November) November 2023 snowfall 138cm observed on 5 days December 2023 snowfall 57cm observed on 4 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in 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 Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 4cm Snowfall at base this season 40cm Posted on Friday 8th December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . This morning I was woken up by the rumbling and beeping of a snow plow. Yesterday's rain turned into large flakes and left just over 4cm of the good stuff. The slopes are being primed for a proper opening tomorrow. (This early bit should be seen as a bonus! After all, the ski area originally planned to open on 9th December). It's not clear at this stage what exactly that might involve. It is partly cloudy now, but they usually clear out by mid-afternoon. Zao Now 2023-2024 season Data as of Friday 8th December 2023 Total snowfall at base 40cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 7 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 18cm (on 30th November) November 2023 snowfall 32cm observed on 4 days December 2023 snowfall 8cm 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 Shiga Kogen region of Nagano New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 49cm Posted on Friday 8th December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Shiga Kogen Now report can be found here . We did get a bit of snow falling yesterday though it wasn't that cold and it didn't really stick on the roads. Perhaps a few cm on some slopes, though I can't find any specific numbers being reported. It's a lovely sunny Friday morning. Cold very early on, but it will be warming up with some southerly winds set to do their naughty thing. Once we get past the warmth of tomorrow, it will be getting colder again and the next snow is still due around mid-week next week. A bit of a bumpy ride at the moment, but this morning is certainly a feel-good kind of morning. The information below is manually checked with official sources and updated for every report. Please note that details can change quickly, especially at the beginning of the season, and official information may take a bit longer to update. All information is subject to change. Ichinose Family 1 ski lift operating (Number 2 pair A) Official snow depth: 30cm Kumanoyu 2 ski lifts operating (Number 2 pair AB) Official snow depth: 25cm Takamagahara Mammoth 1 ski lift operating (Number 2 triple) Official snow depth: 40cm Yakebitaiyama 1 ski lift operating (Number 4 pair) Official snow depth: 30cm Yokoteyama 1 ski lift operating (Number 4 pair) Official snow depth: 40cm Shiga Kogen Now 2023-2024 season Data as of Friday 8th December 2023 Total snowfall at base 49cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 12 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 11cm (30th November) November 2023 snowfall 32cm reported on 8 days December 2023 snowfall 17cm reported on 4 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in 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 Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 152cm Posted on Friday 8th December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here I might have typically tried to post an update yesterday but couldn't due to being away. It appears that Hirafu closed due to 'strong winds and insufficient snowfall', and the Village Express (at Niseko Village) closed. Not a pretty picture. The good news this morning is that it is noticeably colder, and there has actually been some snowfall. Just a little - not much more than a dusting, though perhaps up to 5cm on the mountain. It is rather windy too. I'm afraid tomorrow will be milder again, but Sunday should be much colder. Hopefully, we can get back to winter mode... and stay there! ------------------ Annupuri is reporting 5cm of fresh snow, as shown in the listing below. That may well be the case, though it might be worth pointing out that sometimes the choice of numbers posted on a report is not 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10... but 0, 5 or 10. I am not saying that is what is happening in this case, but more than a few ski areas in Japan actually only work in units of 5! It might be worth keeping an eye on that (but I recommend not spending too much time over-analysing these things). ------------------ Individual ski area information for Friday 8th December 2023 The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources. Lift information is the planned operations for the day at the time of writing. Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 3cm - Base: 0cm Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 65cm (no change since yesterday) - Base: 10cm (no change since yesterday) Lifts: - Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four) (8:30am-3:10pm) - Ace Number 3 pair (8:40am-3:20pm) Courses: - Center ------------------ Niseko HANAZONO Resort Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 0cm - Base: 1cm Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 50cm (-10cm since yesterday) - Base: 30cm (+5cm since yesterday) Lifts: - Hanazono Number 1 (9:00am-2:00pm) - Hanazono Number 2 quad (9:00am-3:00pm) - Hanazono Number 3 quad (9:00am-3:00pm) Courses: - Yotei Sunset - Mango Salad ------------------ Niseko Annupuri Kokusai Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 5cm - Base: 5cm Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 40cm (-10cm since yesterday) - Base: 20cm (no change since yesterday) Lifts: - Dream Number 1 quad (8:30am-4:00pm) Courses: - Beginner course by the lift ------------------ Niseko Village Ski Resort Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): - Peak: 20cm (no change since yesterday) - Base: 10cm (no change since yesterday) Lifts: - Upper Village Gondola (8:30am-4:00pm) - Community Chair (8:30am-4:00pm) ------------------ Floodlit night skiing is planned from Saturday 16th December 2023 until Wednesday 20th March 2024. Niseko Now 2023-2024 season Data as of Friday 8th December 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 152cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 15 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 25cm (1st December) November 2023 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 days December 2023 snowfall 32cm reported on 4 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 2cm Snowfall at base this season 36cm Posted on Monday 4th December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Yesterday, it was a beautiful day. The snow from previous days has melted and hardened. Luckily, we received, 2cm of the fresh powder. It is a cloudy and calm morning. The forecast for the coming week is still that it should be getting a bit milder. We need to be patient for the next snow. Lifts operating (planned): Zao Ropeway Zao Chuo Ropeway Chuo Number 1 pair AB Utopia Number 2 pair Sky Cable Courses open (planned): Chuo Utopia Official snow depth (reported by ski area): Yokokura area: 15cm Uwanodai area: 20cm Utopia area: 50cm Chuo area: 50cm Paradise area: - Summit area: 30cm Zao Now 2023-2024 season Data as of Monday 4th December 2023 Total snowfall at base 36cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 6 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 18cm (on 30th November) November 2023 snowfall 32cm observed on 4 days December 2023 snowfall 4cm 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 Madarao region of Nagano New snowfall at base 3cm Snowfall at base this season 48cm Weather overview Sunny Wind Light Temperature - Visibility Excellent Posted on Monday 4th December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Madarao Now report can be found here . More freshly frosted trees this morning and the clouds dispersed... the sun is out and there's blue skies over the Madarao mountain. The next week isn't looking good for prospects of fresh snow, so hopefully next week will be good in the lead up to the planned opening dates. We are now less than two weeks away! Madarao and Tangram both plan to open on Saturday 16th December. Madarao Now 2023-2024 season Data as of Monday 4th December 2023 Total snowfall at base 48cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 6 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 18cm (on 25th November) November 2023 snowfall 33cm reported on 4 days December 2023 snowfall 15cm 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 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 Nozawa Onsen region of Nagano New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 26cm Posted on Monday 4th December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Nozawa Now report can be found here . The ski area reports 15cm of fresh snowfall on the top Yamabiko area this morning. (There has just been a dusting around base areas). We have some low clouds again in the early morning, but on the mountain, visibility looks good. There are a lot of clouds around, but some blue sky and forecasts suggest we will end up with a sunny day. Conditions should be pretty good for those lucky enough to be able to spend their Monday morning sliding on the snow. A fair bit of sunny weather is still showing on the weekly forecasts, along with milder temps warming up, particularly towards Saturday. Fresh snowfall since yesterday morning (reported by the ski area): Yamabiko: 15cm Other areas: not yet reporting Official snow depth numbers (reported by the ski area): Yamabiko: 55cm Other areas: not yet reporting Lifts operating: Nagasaka Gondola (8:30am-3:30pm; last one down at 4:00pm) Yamabiko Number 2 Four quad lift (8:40am-3:40pm) Yamabiko Four quad lift (8:45am-3:30pm) Uenotaira Four quad lift (8:50am-3:40pm) Courses available: Yamabiko A (1,300m) Yamabiko C (850m) Yamabiko D (1,250m) Yamabiko B and E (with some restrictions) Uenotaira (2,000m) The top area is open. You need to get the Nagasaka gondola back down to base. All base areas are closed. Nozawa Now 2023-2024 season Data as of Monday 4th December 2023 Total snowfall at base 26cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 4 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 13cm (25th November) November 2023 snowfall 21cm reported on 2 days December 2023 snowfall 5cm 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 Shiga Kogen region of Nagano New snowfall at base 8cm Snowfall at base this season 48cm Posted on Monday 4th December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Shiga Kogen Now report can be found here . Some fresh snow overnight. Kumanoyu reported just 5cm, but I measured more than that (and my friend close to Yakebitaiyama said 'over 10cm'). A fairly nice layer out there, anyway. The day started with a lot of cloudy but it has gradually been getting brighter and sunny. There looks set to be a lot of that over the coming days and while it is pretty cold this morning it will also be getting milder with Saturday being the peak. As far as I can tell ski areas operations are the same as we enter the week. Shiga Kogen Now 2023-2024 season Data as of Monday 4th December 2023 Total snowfall at base 48cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 11 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 11cm (30th November) November 2023 snowfall 32cm reported on 8 days December 2023 snowfall 16cm 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 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 Geto Kogen region of Iwate New snowfall at base 5cm Snowfall at base this season 190cm Posted on Sunday 3rd December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Geto Kogen Now report can be found here . Yesterday it was cloudy with snow at times. And there is basically more of that forecast for today but as I write there some blue sky amongst the cloud and it is now snowing. It should be a good day. All 14 runs are open so some great conditions, especially when you consider that it is still the beginning of December. Generally clear and milder weather is forecast in the first half of the week. Lifts operating (planned): Number 1 gondola Number 1 pair Runs open (planned): All the main runs! Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): 170cm (top) 80cm (base) New snowfall (reported by the ski area): 7cm (top) Cumulative snowfall this season (reported by the ski area): 410cm (top) Geto Kogen Now 2023-2024 season Data as of Sunday 3rd December 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 190cm Number of days snowfall observed 8 days Most snowfall observed on 1 day 73cm (on 30th November) November 2023 snowfall 138cm observed on 5 days December 2023 snowfall 52cm 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 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 Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 20cm Snowfall at base this season 62cm Posted on Sunday 3rd December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . A weekend, pre-season update, following the official meeting of Akakura ski areas on the first, and a little more fresh snowfall (that is already disappearing a bit). The biggest news for the coming season is that the much-rumored IC card-based gate system will be in place this season at Akakura Kanko, Akakura Onsen, Alpen Blick/Ikenotaira and Suginohara. No more showing your pass to the lifties; just on through (if you have a valid card). This also promises to reduce the long ticket lines, especially on Sunday mornings at Akakan, although a lot of the advanced functions, such as online reservations, will be phased in over this season and next. Other than that, just a minor increase in lift tickets, and a new owner at Suginohara, although that news comes from the media, not the meeting. Sounds like there are big plans for this area, as anyone who has seen the articles in the business press will know (such as US$ billions in investment), but we'll see. There still are a lot of abandoned buildings around here from the end of the last big boom. I have to admit there's been a pretty good cover of snow for this early in the season, which can make you think we're all set for the season openers on the 16th, but there is some warm weather and rain ahead in the coming week, so, as always, we'll just relax and wait—it always seems to come around, at least around Christmas. Here are the planned opening dates for ski areas around Myoko. All are of course subject to change and depend on snowfall. Friday 15th December 2023: ARAI SNOW RESORT Saturday 16th December 2023: Akakura Kanko Akakura Onsen Ikenotaira Onsen Alpen Blick Saturday 23rd December 2023: Myoko Suginohara Myoko Now 2023-2024 season Data as of Sunday 3rd December 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 62cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 2 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 42cm (25th November) November 2023 snowfall 42cm reported on 1 day December 2023 snowfall 20cm 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 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