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

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 3cm Snowfall at base this season 30cm Posted on Monday 10th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Good morning from Zao on this Monday morning... and what is the first official day of the ski season. Yes, a ski lift is moving - the Chuo Number 1 pair lift to be exact. (The Ropeways of course operate throughout the year). The sow is still pretty thin on the ground - they are reporting 30cm up there - but the Chuo course is open so you can get your first runs in for the season. The latest forecast is showing some snow perhaps tomorrow night and then later in the week. Lifts and course info: - Chuo Number 1 - Mikaeri pair (according to the lift operating official info) - Zao Ropeway - Zao Chuo Ropeway - Sky Cable - Chuo course Official snow depths: - Summit area: 5cm - Paradise area: 20cm - Chuo area: 30cm - Utopia area: 20cm - Uwanodai area: 20cm - Oomori area: 15cm Zao Now 2018-2019 season Data as of Monday 10th December 2018 Total snowfall at base 30cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 7 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 16cm (on 9th December) November 2018 snowfall 7cm observed on 3 days December 2018 snowfall 23cm 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 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 2cm Snowfall at base this season 7cm Posted on Monday 10th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Shiga Kogen Now report can be found here . Good morning from Shiga Kogen. Just a bit of snow overnight and right now... the sun is out! Everywhere is look very pretty this morning, but we'd kind of prefer some heavy snow please. Resort operations remain the same as they have been, with small parts of four resort areas open. All very limited. Hopefully there is more snowfall coming from tomorrow night. Shiga Kogen Now 2018-2019 season Data as of Monday 10th December 2018 Total snowfall at base 7cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 5 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 2cm (23rd November and 10th December) November 2018 snowfall 3cm reported on 2 days December 2018 snowfall 4cm 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 Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 38cm Snowfall at base this season 63cm Posted on Monday 10th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . Snow kept going overnight here in Myoko; I'm going to add a bit to this morning's recorded fall so we get to our recorded total depth of snow for these two days - 58 cm. It was pretty sunny earlier in the day, but the clouds have moved back in a and light snow is falling (just what the forecast said!). We might just make the openings, which are coming up fast: • Akakan 12/15 • Akakura Onsen 12/12 • Ikenotaira 12/16 • Suginohara 12/22 • Seki Onsen 12/22 Myoko Now 2018-2019 season Data as of Monday 10th December 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 63cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 3 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (10th December) November 2018 snowfall 5cm reported on 1 day December 2018 snowfall 58cm 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 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 12cm Snowfall at base this season 25cm Posted on Monday 10th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Nozawa Now report can be found here . A bit more snow since yesterday and it is easing off this morning with generally cloudy conditions forecast for the day - more snow is due during this week. Opening news! Yes, it is happening today. Nozawa Onsen will be open from this morning. I can't remember opening plans quite like this, but the resort will be opening the Kokenashi A and B courses (each about 200m in length) and keeping them ungroomed. Not suitable for beginners. They are both in the mid area of the mountain. Operating lifts will be the Nagasaka Gondola and the Skyline connecting pair lift. You'll need to get the gondola back down. A one day lift ticket will be 3,400 yen for adults; 1,700 yen for children; 2,600 yen for seniors - and those prices will be valid until Friday 14th December. It's very limited, but it's open! :) Official snow depth numbers (as of yesterday): - Yamabiko (1407m): 40cm - Uenotaira (1230m): -cm - Hikage (660m): -cm - Nagasaka (615m): 25cm - Karasawa (563m): -cm Lifts operations: - Nagasaka Gondola (8:40am - 3:30pm; last one down at 4:00pm) - Skyline connecting pair lift (8:55am - 3:50pm) Open courses: - Kokenashi A - Kokenashi B Nozawa Now 2018-2019 season Data as of Monday 10th December 2018 Total snowfall at base 25cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 3 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 12cm (10th December) November 2018 snowfall 2cm reported on 1 day December 2018 snowfall 23cm 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