Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 2cm Snowfall at base this season 43cm Posted on Thursday 13th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Snow clouds are over us and light snow is falling. It's good that snow is falling of course and there's more on the forecast, but can someone flip the switch to heavy snow setting please? The resort itself is reporting 5cm of fresh and pretty poor visibility on the upper Chuo area that is open. So limited but we are hopeful for decent snow over the coming days. Zao will open more as soon as there is enough snow. Lifts and course info: - Chuo Number 1 - Mikaeri pair - Zao Ropeway - Zao Chuo Ropeway - Sky Cable - Chuo course part open Official snow depths (as reported by resort): - Summit area: 5cm (Zao folk, update this info please!) - Paradise area: 25cm - Chuo area: 40cm - Utopia area: 30cm - Uwanodai area: 20cm - Oomori area: 20cm Zao Now 2018-2019 season Data as of Thursday 13th December 2018 Total snowfall at base 43cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 9 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 16cm (on 9th December) November 2018 snowfall 7cm observed on 3 days December 2018 snowfall 36cm observed 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 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 6cm Snowfall at base this season 16cm Posted on Thursday 13th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Shiga Kogen Now report can be found here . Good morning from Shiga Kogen. Ah, good. I bring you news of snow! Not huge amounts but I am measuring 6cm and I hear from a friend '10cm' where he is at Ichinose and we are looking (almost) all white once again. It has been snowing lightly early on this morning but clearer skies are forecast. Yakebitaiyama plan to get their Number 2 lift operating from tomorrow along with the 850m Karamatsu Course. And Mammoth plan to get their quad lift going from Saturday. Expect more to start opening up as the snow arrives. More snow due tonight. Come on!!!! The below information is manually checked for each report. Official snow depth numbers are as reported by the ski resorts themselves. Ichinose Family - Official snow depth: 20cm - A 370m stretch of lower course is open - The Ichinose Number 2 pair lift A is operating Kumanoyu - Official snow depth: 20cm - A 600m course area is open - The Number 2 pair lift is operating Takamagahara Mammoth - Official snow depth: 25cm - The lower part of the main course is open, 300m in length - The Takamagahara Number 2 triple lift is operating Yakebitaiyama - Official snow depth: 30cm - The 960m long South Course is open - The Number 4 romance lift is operating All other areas of Shiga Kogen are closed. Shiga Kogen Now 2018-2019 season Data as of Thursday 13th December 2018 Total snowfall at base 16cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 7 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 6cm (13th December) November 2018 snowfall 3cm reported on 2 days December 2018 snowfall 13cm 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 Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 15cm Snowfall at base this season 78cm Posted on Thursday 13th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . Well, the pre-season - or should I say, some lingering pre-season work - had me not in the snow, but near a sunny beach resort in the tropics. Very weird to be writing a snow report now, but let's catch up a bit with openings coming up. And one actually open! Just a little fresh snow in Myoko over the past two days, but enough for Akakura Onsen to open on the 11th. Only 40cm right now, but it looks pretty promising over the weekend. And I hope it does fall pretty heavily, with both Akakan and Ikenotaira scheduled to open. Not going anywhere after this (I hope!). Will be out in the yard with my measuring stick and thermometers, ready to give you up-to-date snow reports. Resort opening dates: • Akakan 12/15 • Akakura Onsen open • Ikenotaira 12/16 • Suginohara 12/22 • Seki Onsen 12/22 Myoko Now 2018-2019 season Data as of Thursday 13th December 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 78cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 4 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (10th December) November 2018 snowfall 5cm reported on 1 day December 2018 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 Nozawa Onsen region of Nagano New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 26cm Posted on Thursday 13th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Nozawa Now report can be found here . The good news is that Nozawa seem to be reporting 15cm of fresh up on the top Yamabiko and Uenotaira areas so something of a refresh to be expected up there. Just slightly more than a dusting down to lower levels this morning but we are hoping for some decent snowfall tonight. There is some light snow lingering early this morning but it is likely going to stop and there might be some sun today. Fingers crossed I can post a good snowy report tomorrow. Lift operations and course openings remain the same for now. More will open up as soon as there is enough snow. Lifts operations: - Nagasaka Gondola (8:40am - 3:30pm; last one down at 4:00pm) - Yamabiko Four Lift - Yamabiko Number 2 Four Lift - Uenotaira Four Lift Open courses: - Yamabiko A - Yamabiko C - Yamabiko D - Uenotaira - Kokenashi (connecting course from Yamabiko) - Bunabayashi (to mid-station) Official snow depth numbers: - Yamabiko (1407m): 40cm - Uenotaira (1230m): 40cm - Hikage (660m): 20cm - Nagasaka (615m): 20cm - Karasawa (563m): 20cm Fresh snowfall recorded by resort (since yesterday): - Yamabiko (1407m): 15cm - Uenotaira (1230m): 15cm - Hikage (660m): 0cm - Nagasaka (615m): 0cm - Karasawa (563m): 0cm Nozawa Now 2018-2019 season Data as of Thursday 13th December 2018 Total snowfall at base 26cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 4 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 12cm (10th December) November 2018 snowfall 2cm reported on 1 day December 2018 snowfall 24cm 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 Nozawa Onsen. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Madarao region of Nagano New snowfall at base 14cm Snowfall at base this season 40cm Weather overview Fine with some cloud Wind Light Temperature - Visibility Good Posted on Thursday 13th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Madarao Now report can be found here . Good morning folks. Good news too. After some rain it turned into snow and this morning I have 14cm of fresh snow to report and add to my reports and the resort reporting at least 25cm of snow depth. The snow clouds have retreated for now but they should be back tonight so things are looking pretty good for that opening on Saturday. Here are the plans: - Open from Saturday 15th December - The Number 1 lift will be operating - 8:30am until 4:00pm - Paradise and Beginner B courses will be available - 1 day ticket: 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children - Not much snow (as yet), so no grooming Snow is due before the weekend so let's hope they can open as planned (or perhaps even more than currently planned). I will of course let you know. Madarao Now 2018-2019 season Data as of Thursday 13th December 2018 Total snowfall at base 40cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 5 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 14cm (on 13th December) November 2018 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day December 2018 snowfall 37cm 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 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 Hakuba region of Nagano New snowfall at base 2cm Snowfall at base this season 2cm Posted on Thursday 13th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Hakuba Now report can be found here . Good morning from Hakuba. It is nice to see some white this morning down to village level and we're all looking pretty this morning with lots of blue sky and sunshine with a bank of cloud around the mountains. There's just a bit down to village levels but there will be more at higher elevations. We are expecting snow tonight and then early next week is looking very promising. Patience! I know, it's difficult. Once things kick off, we will probably soon be forgetting about the late start. That doesn't make things better for anyone coming for some very early season turns of course... Hakuba Happo-one have announced that they are going to be opening their gondola from Saturday... for sightseeing. Hmmm. Positive thinking; snow tonight please! As soon as there is enough snow Hakuba 47 Hakuba Cortina Hakuba Happo-one Hakuba Goryu Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field Hakuba Valley Kashimayari Tsugaike Kogen Mid December 2018 Hakuba Norikura Onsen Friday 21st December 2018 Hakuba Sanosaka Hakuba Now 2018-2019 season Data as of Thursday 13th December 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 2cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 1 day Most snowfall observed in 1 day 2cm (13th December) November 2018 snowfall 0cm December 2018 snowfall 2cm reported on 1 day Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Hakuba. 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 Naeba region of Niigata New snowfall at base 2cm Snowfall at base this season 42cm Posted on Wednesday 12th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Naeba Now report can be found here . Morning from Naeba. A bit of snow overnight but it's pretty mild this morning and even though it was falling it wasn't amounting to much - 2cm to add to the reports. Cloud and light rain is what we are expecting for the day. Hopefully snow by the time I write my next report. Resort operations remain unchanged. Naeba Now 2018-2019 season Data as of Wednesday 12th December 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 42cm Number of days snowfall observed 4 days Most snowfall observed on 1 day 33cm (reported on 10th December) November 2018 snowfall 1cm observed on 1 day December 2018 snowfall 41cm 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 Naeba. 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 41cm Posted on Wednesday 12th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . It was just cloudy earlier on, but it is raining very lightly just now as I write this (and the Chuo area that is open is reporting that too). It is a bit of a mild morning. We did get some fresh snowfall overnight though with 11cm to add to the reports. Let's hope that rain turns back into snow pretty quickly - the forecast says that should happen. No changes to resort operations for the moment. Snow please! Lifts and course info: - Chuo Number 1 - Mikaeri pair - Zao Ropeway - Zao Chuo Ropeway - Sky Cable - Chuo course part open Official snow depths (as reported by resort): - Summit area: 5cm (?!) - Paradise area: 25cm - Chuo area: 35cm - Utopia area: 30cm - Uwanodai area: 20cm - Oomori area: 20cm Zao Now 2018-2019 season Data as of Wednesday 12th December 2018 Total snowfall at base 41cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 8 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 16cm (on 9th December) November 2018 snowfall 7cm observed on 3 days December 2018 snowfall 34cm 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 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 3cm Snowfall at base this season 10cm Posted on Wednesday 12th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Shiga Kogen Now report can be found here . Morning from Shiga Kogen. It is relatively mild this morning and right now sleet is falling but there is up to 5cm of fresh snow in places on the ground overnight (I am measuring 3cm). With the milder conditions it is kind of heavy, but on the bright side of things if it sticks around that should settle down into a decent base. We are due to have snowfall for the day and later tomorrow too - though some forecasts also show some sunshine during the day tomorrow. The below information is manually checked for each report. Official snow depth numbers are as reported by the ski resorts themselves. Ichinose Family - Official snow depth: 20cm - A 370m stretch of lower course is open - The Ichinose Number 2 pair lift A is operating Kumanoyu - Official snow depth: 20cm - A 600m course area is open - The Number 2 pair lift is operating Takamagahara Mammoth - Official snow depth: 25cm - The lower part of the main course is open, 300m in length - The Takamagahara Number 2 triple lift is operating Yakebitaiyama - Official snow depth: 30cm - The 960m long South Course is open - The Number 4 romance lift is operating All other areas of Shiga Kogen are closed. Shiga Kogen Now 2018-2019 season Data as of Wednesday 12th December 2018 Total snowfall at base 10cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 6 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 3cm (12th December) November 2018 snowfall 3cm reported on 2 days December 2018 snowfall 7cm 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 Geto Kogen region of Iwate New snowfall at base 17cm Snowfall at base this season 154cm Posted on Wednesday 12th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Geto Kogen Now report can be found here . Good morning from Geto. Yesterday the day was mostly just cloudy but there were periods of a bit of sun. This morning light snow is falling with just a slight wind and there's 17cm of fresh to report with more due. A good morning to be out there. And.. as from today, all of the official courses are open which is great news. (Note that the tree run courses are not yet available). Official snow depths: * Top: 115cm * Base: 95cm Operating lifts: * Number 1 Gondola Courses & Tree Runs: * All of the main official courses open * Tree run courses - not yet Nighta skiing operations: * Every Saturday from 22nd December 2018 until 24th February 2019 * Every day from 29th December 2018 until 6th January 2019 Geto Kogen Now 2018-2019 season Data as of Wednesday 12th December 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 154cm Number of days snowfall observed 6 days Most snowfall observed on 1 day 50cm (on 9th December) November 2018 snowfall 29cm observed on 2 days December 2018 snowfall 125cm 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 Naeba region of Niigata New snowfall at base 33cm Snowfall at base this season 40cm Posted on Monday 10th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Naeba Now report can be found here . This morning is turning out to be some changeable conditions. The snow clouds have gradually cleared this morning leaving us with some cloud, some blue sky and some sunshine too at times. The resort is officially reporting 10cm of snow; but we are measuring more than that... but still the official snow depth on the open run remains at just 30cm. So while we need more, we are still at least open. Look for the next snow later tomorrow into Wednesday (lower areas may be unlucky and get rain... please no!) and then late week too. Operating lifts: - Number 5 quad - Number 4 romance Open courses: - Upper are of Number 5 course to Number 4 at base Planned night-time operations: - Saturday 15th December 2018 until Sunday 24th March 2019 - 4:00pm until 8:30pm Naeba Now 2018-2019 season Data as of Monday 10th December 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 40cm Number of days snowfall observed 3 days Most snowfall observed on 1 day 33cm (reported on 10th December) November 2018 snowfall 1cm observed on 1 day December 2018 snowfall 39cm 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 Naeba. 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 133cm Posted on Monday 10th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . It was a very chilly day yesterday staying well into freezing temperatures throughout the day. With limited lifts open there were very long queues, in fact the longest I have ever seen with a wait of up to 50 minutes to get on the Ropeway. Today is sunny in the morning and may cloud over in the afternoon. It is likely the resort will try to open the Kitanomine side this coming weekend, but that is snow dependent, and at the moment there is only light snow forecast for this week at the moment. Open trails: Panorama Shirakaba Spies (upper part only) Sailer Open lifts: Downhill Romance 2 chair Downhill Romance 3 chair Furano Ropeway Furano Zone PARTIALLY OPEN. Kitanomine Zone CLOSED. Furano Now 2018-2019 season Data as of Monday 10th December 2018 Total snowfall at base 133cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 13 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 41cm (30th November) November 2018 snowfall 69cm reported on 6 days December 2018 snowfall 64cm 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