Independent snow and weather reporting from the Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 45cm Snowfall at base this season 119cm Posted on Wednesday 16th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . It feels like the Myoko we remember (after last year's record-breakingly poor snow). The cars are buried, the trains have stopped, the snow keeps falling hard enough that one plowing a day just isn't enough. No worries about whether or not we'll have a white Christmas this year. Akakura Onsen has now officially announced that it will open tomorrow. Most everything else follows on Saturday, except for Myoko Suginohara and Kurohime Kogen, which open on the 26th. I'm actually at a loss for something to write, because it's just so good out there. The only thing to do now is be sure and fight for first lift on Saturday.... Hey, a woodcock just landed outside my office (see photo). Probably caught off-guard by the 45 cm of fresh on top of what we already had. Time to head down the hill, buddy! Akakura Kanko: Opening December 19 Akakura Onsen: Opening December 17 Ikenotaira Onsen: Opening December 19 Myoko Suginohara: Opening December 26 Seki Onsen: Opening December 19 Kyukamura RunRun: Opening December 19 Tangram Ski Circus: Opening December 19 Madarao Kogen: Opening December 19 Lotte Arai Resort 211cm, -1.8° Kurohime Kogen Snow Park Opening December 26 Myoko Ski Park: Closed this season Myoko Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Wednesday 16th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 119cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 5 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (16th December) November 2020 snowfall 1cm reported on 1 day December 2020 snowfall 118cm 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 16cm Snowfall at base this season 145cm Posted on Monday 14th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here It is a good start to what should be a very good week. I have just measured 16cm of fresh snowfall out there; so let's guess and hope that there might be well over 20+cm higher up the mountain. Indeed, Niseko Grand Hirafu have actually added 30cm to their upper official snow depth number (and 20cm for base). They are also reporting 35cm of snowfall - at mountain peak... and base (?. Great if so!). Not much movement with the Annupuri and Village official numbers but perhaps they are busy with stuff this morning. Snowfall is due throughout the week so we can expect the numbers to be piling up and more lifts and courses to open up as soon as they deem there is enough snow and it's safe. For the moment those things appear to be unchanged. But there's that lovely layer of fresh snow out there. Visibility limited though and it is cold. If that doesn't bother you then it should be a fine morning to be out there. ----- Ski resort operation information: Monday 14th 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 resort): - Peak: 130cm - Base: 75cm 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 resort): - Peak: 105cm - Base: 60cm Ski lifts operating: - Hanazono Number 1 quad - Hanazono Number 2 quad - Hanazono Number 3 quad ----- Niseko Annupuri Part open Official snow depth (reported by resort): - Peak: 65cm - Base: 35cm Ski lifts operating: - Annupuri Gondola - Dream Number 1 quad - Jumbo Number 1 quad Courses available: - Utopia Course - Shirakaba Course - Paradise Course - Junior Course ----- Niseko Village Part open Official snow depth (reported by resort): - Peak: 60cm - Base: 30cm 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 Monday 14th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 145cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 15 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (10th November) November 2020 snowfall 62cm reported on 6 days December 2020 snowfall 83cm 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 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 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 Geto Kogen region of Iwate New snowfall at base 7cm Snowfall at base this season 88cm Posted on Monday 14th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Geto Kogen Now report can be found here . Morning everyone. Happy to report that it is snowing again and it looks like it should be set in for the week. The numbers will be added. The base will be built, for proper this time. And hopefully Geto Kogen will be able to get open soon! A message from SnowJapan We hope this message finds you and yours well. As the 2020-2021 season here in Japan gets started, we wanted to post a few general thoughts as well as answer a few common questions. Coronavirus in Japan Compared to many countries, Japan appears to have managed to keep its number of (official confirmed) cases relatively low and without any major ‘lockdowns’. Still, coronavirus has overwhelmingly been the major issue of the year and has had a profound impact on many people and businesses. Hospitality and tourism are two of the areas that have been hit particularly hard hit, with the Go To campaign providing a certain amount of relief for some. In recent weeks, the number of confirmed cases announced in the country every day has increased to around 2500-3000, in what is being labelled the third wave. Let us all hope that we might soon see a decrease in the numbers again and do what we can to help that happen. How ski areas in Japan are dealing and measures being taken Correct information on coronavirus is of course important and we encourage everyone to keep up to date with information from trusted sources. We also encourage people intending to visit a ski area in Japan to take on all relevant advice and requests being asked of visitors. While there is understandably a sense of unease along with a bunch of unknowns as we start the winter season, most ski areas in Japan plan to be opening and are implementing various measures to try and minimise the potential for infections. Actual measures and requests vary but generally include limiting the number of people riding gondola cabins, ropeways and multiple-person ski lifts; wearing masks and face coverings; using hand sanitisers; practising social distancing and avoiding queues. Some ski areas are resting various ski lifts for the season, though in many such cases that will not affect the amount of terrain that is available to skiers and snowboarders. There are a small number of ski areas that have decided to not open at all this winter – some citing coronavirus, some citing a lack of snowfall in recent years… some mentioning both. Geto Kogen Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Monday 14th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 88cm Number of days snowfall observed 7 days Most snowfall observed on 1 day 55cm (on 12th November) November 2020 snowfall 73cm observed on 3 days December 2020 snowfall 15cm 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