Independent snow and weather reporting from the Geto Kogen region of Iwate New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 76cm Posted on Friday 4th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Geto Kogen Now report can be found here . Hello from Geto Kogen. I don't have a whole lot to report to you unfortunately. A slight bit of snow since my last report but nothing substantial at all and the resort remains on standby. They seem to be saying that opening over this weekend is very difficult... I think we can take that as 'not happening'. We are going to need to be more patient. Currently it seems the next potential snowfall is due around early week. Geto Kogen Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Friday 4th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 76cm Number of days snowfall observed 5 days Most snowfall observed on 1 day 55cm (on 12th November) November 2020 snowfall 73cm observed on 3 days December 2020 snowfall 3cm 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 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 Shiga Kogen region of Nagano New snowfall at base 3cm Snowfall at base this season 15cm Posted on Friday 4th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Shiga Kogen Now report can be found here . Good morning from Shiga Kogen. It is a cloudy/foggy kind of morning with some fresh snowfall on the mountains (though not a whole lot on the ground - Kumanoyu reporting 5cm). Looks like there are 5 lifts moving this morning, with Ichinose Family and Takamagahara Mammoth joining the party. Heavy snow is most welcome to said party. Social distancing not require for the snowflakes. In fact, actively discouraged! It's still very limited and disconnected but good to see some action. Taking a look at the forecast there isn't a whole lot of snow on there, best change being early in the week into Tuesday. Official reported snow depths and operating lifts at time of report: Ichinose Family: - Ichinose Number 2 pair lift A line - Reported snow depth: 20cm Kumanoyu: - Kumanoyu Number 2 pair lifts (A and B) - Reported snow depth: 15cm Takamagahara Mammoth: - Takamagahara Number 2 triple lift - Reported snow depth: 30cm Yokoteyama: - Yokoteyama Number 4 pair lift - Reported snow depth: 20cm Shiga Kogen Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Friday 4th December 2020 Total snowfall at base 15cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 5 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 5cm (29th November) November 2020 snowfall 12cm reported on 4 days December 2020 snowfall 3cm 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 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 Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 12cm Snowfall at base this season 13cm Posted on Friday 4th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . OK, we got some real snow overnight, so it's time to report. I actually woke up very early, thinking it might be the day for the first plowing of the season (and I could hear the big machines out there somewhere, although they still haven't cleared the road leading directly up from highway 18 to Akakan (it's a city road though, vs. the prefectural road that heads up from further south up to the access to Ikenotaira, and on to the base of Akakan and to Akakura). We got 12cm here at the base level, and it's good and heavy and wet but that's what we expect this time of year. Not nearly enough to slide on, although sometimes we get clever yahoos who decide to hike up before the season starts. Bad idea (there are metal plates and pipes and all kind of interesting things out there to grind into, and you make a fall and it is going to hurt and no patrol to drag you off). I recommend the local approach: embrace patience, for when it is good, it is very good, and that's a better way to start the season. Don't know if this will hold, but the temperatures don't look like they'll go up to the 10°C we had yesterday, and snow is forecast again at least around Tuesday. So maybe Akakura Onsen might even get its Dec. 12 opening (but that's always a bit iffy). Relax! It will come! Embrace that patience and you will be rewarded with snow worth jumping into, not onto! Your opening information: Akakura Kanko Dec. 19 Akakura Onsen Dec. 12 Ikenotaira Onsen Dec. 19 Myoko Suginohara Dec. 26 Lotte Arai Dec. 12 Seki Onsen Dec. 19 Kyukamura Myoko RunRun Dec. 19 Myoko Ski Park Closed this season Myoko Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Friday 4th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 13cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 2 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 12cm (4th December) November 2020 snowfall 1cm reported on 1 day December 2020 snowfall 12cm 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

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Furano region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 12cm Snowfall at base this season 90cm Posted on Thursday 3rd December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . There is another 12cm of snow to report since yesterday's update. The weather during the day has been high thin cloud allowing a good amount of sunlight through. Needless to say the snow conditions on the open runs are very good for this time of year. With all this new snow hopefully the resort can open up another lift or some additional terrain for the coming weekend. Furano Zone is open with the Furano Ropeway operating for uploading and downloading to the upper mountain. The open courses are D1 (800m), D2 (740m) and A1 (850m). At this stage is not possible to ski back the base area, so you will be required to use the Ropeway to return. Furano Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Thursday 3rd December 2020 Total snowfall at base 90cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 10 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 21cm (1st December) November 2020 snowfall 48cm reported on 7 days December 2020 snowfall 42cm 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 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 Furano region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 9cm Snowfall at base this season 78cm Posted on Wednesday 2nd December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . There is 9cm of new snow to report this morning. There is a thin layer of cloud allowing some of the sun to shine through. Snow is currently falling and is varying between light and moderate flurries. Due to the new snow the resort has been able to open up A1 course today. Furano Zone is open with the Furano Ropeway operating for uploading and downloading to the upper mountain. The open courses are D1 (800m), D2 (740m) and A1 (850m). At this stage is not possible to ski back the base area, so you will be required to use the Ropeway to return. Furano Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Wednesday 2nd December 2020 Total snowfall at base 78cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 9 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 21cm (1st December) November 2020 snowfall 48cm reported on 7 days 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 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 Geto Kogen region of Iwate New snowfall at base 2cm Snowfall at base this season 75cm Posted on Tuesday 1st December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Geto Kogen Now report can be found here . Quick update as we wait for more. Just a few cm to add to my reports and it is currently snowing. Geto Kogen will open as soon as there is enough snow. They are on stand by! And I'm anxious to get out there too. Geto Kogen Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Tuesday 1st December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 75cm Number of days snowfall observed 4 days Most snowfall observed on 1 day 55cm (on 12th November) November 2020 snowfall 73cm observed on 3 days December 2020 snowfall 2cm observed 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 Geto Kogen. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 15cm Snowfall at base this season 77cm Posted on Tuesday 1st December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Big massive dumps! Well, not exactly massive, but I just wanted to use that phrase. (I might dig it up again in the future when it's actually appropriate). There wasn't much snow yesterday during the daytime, but it started snowing again in the evening and this morning I have 15cm of fresh snowfall to add to my reports. It is clearly colder this morning and while it was mostly cloudy while I have been putting this report together, the sun is actually breaking through at the moment and some blue sky too. That will likely be temporary as we are due more snow. Today was the original planned opening for the Niseko Village area and then of course the official planned opening dates for Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Hanazono follow on Saturday the 5th. With regular snow on the forecast through Thursday, perhaps they will all get to open up on Saturday? I will be here to tell you the latest. --- Going back to the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics 'ski area' story that I mentioned yesterday. From what I understand, both from my previous understanding and on reading this new article, the general public were never allowed on this ski area. Which seems a bit mean, almost cruel. No doubt there were reasons. I wonder how many people actually ended up being able to ski it. It would be on my 'if I had a time machine' place list though. It's a beautiful region by the way. I hear that upcoming on that site is the story of another ski area in Japan that the public never got to ski on. --- Planned opening dates: Niseko Annupuri: Opening as soon as there is enough snow Niseko Grand Hirafu: Saturday 5th December 2020 Niseko Hanazono: Saturday 5th December 2020 Niseko Village: Opening as soon as there is enough snow Night skiing operations are planned from 19th December 2020 until 7th March 2021. There is no night skiing at HANAZONO area. Niseko Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Tuesday 1st December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 77cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 7 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (10th November) November 2020 snowfall 62cm reported on 6 days December 2020 snowfall 15cm 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 8cm Snowfall at base this season 62cm Posted on Monday 30th November 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here There is a layer of snow on the ground this morning and we're looking all white once again. I am measuring 8cm and it is good quality stuff too, nice and light, though not yet enough for lifts at Annupuri to get moving. We are forecast snow each day during this week and fingers crossed a larger number overnight tonight, so lets hope that things will now remain white and the base can start building up. Right now it is mostly cloudy but there is actually some blue sky as well. The snow clouds should start moving in to do their stuff from later on. Perhaps even soon... --- As we patiently wait for more snowfall, I would like to recommend an interesting read. Back in February 1972 the Winter Olympics were held in Sapporo City, and it marked the first time that they were held outside of Europe or the US. Faced with finding a suitable venue for the ski downhill races, they had to look outside of the city and ended up choosing the western slopes of Mt Eniwa. The problem was... there were no ski courses or lifts on Mt Eniwa. (Doh!) So they went ahead and created what was effectively an Olympic-approved functioning ski area complete with ropeway, lift and various other infrastructure. (As you would!) And then months after the Olympics were over, they took it all down. Looking at the beautiful mountain nearly 50 years later, you'd never know. It really is a fascinating story, and you can find out much more over on the SnowJapanHistory site (project of the guy who started SnowJapan): --- Planned opening dates: Niseko Annupuri: Opening as soon as there is enough snow Niseko Grand Hirafu: Saturday 5th December 2020 Niseko Hanazono: Saturday 5th December 2020 Niseko Village: Tuesday 1st December 2020 Night skiing operations are planned from 19th December 2020 until 7th March 2021. There is no night skiing at HANAZONO area. Niseko Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Monday 30th November 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 62cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 6 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (10th November) November 2020 snowfall 62cm 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

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Furano region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 10cm Snowfall at base this season 48cm Posted on Monday 30th November 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . It has been snowing through the day in Furano, going from flutters to moderate precipitation. At base level the accumulation has just hit the 10cm mark, and I would expect the top of the resort to be around double this figure. Furano Zone is open with the Furano Ropeway operating for uploading and downloading to the upper mountain. The open courses are D1 (800m) and D2 (740m). At this stage is not possible to ski back the base area, so you will be required to use the Ropeway to return. Furano Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Monday 30th November 2020 Total snowfall at base 48cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 7 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 11cm (5th and 24th November) November 2020 snowfall 48cm 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 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 Nozawa Onsen region of Nagano New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 0cm Posted on Sunday 29th November 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Nozawa Now report can be found here . This morning there snow on the mountain is visible from base, but not quite down to base. We are expecting a generally cloudy day today. Nozawa Onsen plans to open from Saturday 12th December 2020. Nozawa Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Sunday 29th November 2020 Total snowfall at base 0cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 0 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 0cm November 2020 snowfall 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 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 5cm Snowfall at base this season 12cm Posted on Sunday 29th November 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Shiga Kogen Now report can be found here . Good morning from Shiga Kogen. And after some more snow, right now the sun is shining through. It's a lovely morning. Don't you just love it when things turn white. But back to that snow. Kumanoyu are once again reporting 5cm and I can indeed add another measured 5cm to my report this morning. I'm guessing that higher up in some places it will be getting into double digits. Still, it's a thin cover for the moment and a fragile one. Let's hope it keeps cold and we can get some more in the coming week (though right now there's not a whole lot of snow on the forecast). Keeping cold is key. Two lifts remain operating this morning: - Kumanoyu Number 2 Pair B Line - Yokoteyama Number 4 Pair Shiga Kogen Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Sunday 29th November 2020 Total snowfall at base 12cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 4 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 5cm (29th November) November 2020 snowfall 12cm 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 Furano region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 38cm Posted on Sunday 29th November 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . There is a light dusting of snow at base level. The temperature is -3c as I post this report and will rise to -1c during the day. Today's weather will be overcast and there may be some snow mid afternoon. The good news is that snow is on the forecast for the next few days, so hopefully there is something substantial in there. For an opening weekend the conditions are pretty good on the two open courses. There are patches where dirt and stones are getting churned up though. Furano Zone is open with the Furano Ropeway operating for uploading and downloading to the upper mountain. The open courses are D1 (800m) and D2 (740m). At this stage is not possible to ski back the base area, so you will be required to use the Ropeway to return. Furano Now 2020-2021 season Data as of Sunday 29th November 2020 Total snowfall at base 38cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 6 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 11cm (5th and 24th November) November 2020 snowfall 38cm 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 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