Independent snow and weather reporting from the Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 6cm Posted on Friday 25th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . Just a quick note here, as a light dusting of snow is melting under a good strong late-fall sun (not calling it winter until we're covered!). We had a good hard frost overnight as well, so things are all moving in the right direction. I got an interesting note from our editor about the out-of-date information from local ski areas - some even two years old. Here is my official request that they get things going in English! But, I guess when you have world-class snow, you don't have to worry about people coming (and they are doing some good things on the slopes to make things better for all sliders). End of rant. Back when there's more snow to report! Myoko Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Friday 25th November 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 6cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 2 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 5cm (9th November) November 2016 snowfall 6cm 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 Naeba region of Niigata New snowfall at base 5cm Snowfall at base this season 11cm Posted on Thursday 24th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Naeba Now report can be found here . Good morning from Naeba everyone. Well this pre-season couldn't get much better at this point. Over the last two days the snow has been falling moderately hard and now a decent amount has accumulated. We still have a ways to go until opening day but with this much snow on the ground already I am cautiously predicting an amazing start to the season. The snow has arrived in Naeba and it looks like it's here to stay! Opening, lift & other notes Naeba Ski Resort is planning to open on the 10th December 2016. Naeba Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Thursday 24th November 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 11cm Number of days snowfall observed 2 days Most snowfall observed on 1 day 6cm (9th November) November 2016 snowfall 11cm 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 Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 2cm Snowfall at base this season 5cm Posted on Thursday 24th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . There has been more snow, so another quick update report. 2cm here at base and again presumably a fair bit more higher up, or we hope so anyway... Temperatures hovering around zero at the moment and a real chill in the air. More snow please! Zao Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Thursday 24th November 2016 Total snowfall at base 5cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 3 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 2cm (on 10th and 24th November) November 2016 snowfall 5cm 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 Furano region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 83cm Posted on Thursday 24th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . It sure has felt cold in Furano the last couple of days, but poking my head outside this morning felt particularly cold and a quick check of the thermometer revealed -13C!!! Today feels more like February than November. There has been just a dusting of new snow overnight. There is lots of blue in the sky and the sun is beaming down on the resort. Light snow is on the forecast all day but to be honest it doesn't look like that will eventuate today...lets just wait and see. Furano Zone is partially open with Furano Ropeway operating to upload and download skiers to and from the upper mountain. It is not possible to ski from the top to bottom of the mountain yet. The skiable lift is Downhill Romance no.2 chair and the skiable courses are the upper part of Sailer and Spies Course, and Shirakaba Course. Restaurant Downhill is open. Kitanomine Zone is closed. Furano Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Thursday 24th November 2016 Total snowfall at base 83cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 13 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (8th November) November 2016 snowfall 83cm reported on 13 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 Hakuba region of Nagano New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 1cm Posted on Thursday 24th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Hakuba Now report can be found here . Some snowfall to report this morning - just a bit and depending on where you are in the valley either none on the ground or a slight dusting. The Hakuba 47 resort is reporting 1-2cm at base and about 10cm of snowfall higher up. After gathering some of the sprinkled snow earlier on, I was just about able to make myself a mini-snowman. He was really cute. But now that we have got that tradition out of the way, it's the serious business of decent snowfall and sliding on it that I really want to get to. We're not there yet and with only 10cm or so higher up it's obviously not enough to get going yet. Right now there are some breaks in the clouds over Hakuba and there's even some blue sky on show. Hopefully there will be more snow falling over the next 24 hours. Ski resort news that was originally posted yesterday (in case you didn't see it): Yanaba Snow Park is not going to be opening this season. Yanaba is a smaller ski hill that is actually located by the side of Lake Aoki in Omachi city and just to the south of Hakuba village. Apparently, with the poor snowfall of last season Yanaba only managed to open for a total of about 40 days with less than 8,000 people actually using it. It may not be one of the major ski hills but it is always sad to hear these things. Yanaba has had something of a troubled on-off run of seasons of late and there is no word as to what happens beyond the coming season, but I'll post any further news in a future report. Perhaps a bumper season of heavy and consistent snowfall might help. Yes, please - we'll have some of that! Below are the official planned season opening dates for the ski and snowboard resorts in the Hakuba region. There are all subject to change depending on what happens weather-wise: Hakuba Happo-one: as soon as there is enough snow Hakuba 47: from late November Hakuba Goryu: from late November Tsugaike Kogen: from 28th November Hakuba Cortina: from 10th December Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field: from 16th December Hakuba Norikura Onsen: from mid December Hakuba Sanosaka: from mid December Reports will be posted daily once the lifts get moving. Hakuba Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Thursday 24th November 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 1cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 1 day Most snowfall observed in 1 day 1cm (24th November) November 2016 snowfall 1cm 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 Shiga Kogen region of Nagano New snowfall at base 11cm Snowfall at base this season 22cm Posted on Thursday 24th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Shiga Kogen Now report can be found here . Today is the first day of the season here in Shiga Kogen. Yes, it may be just a very small part of one area, but a lift is moving and a run open. The Number 2 lift at the Kumanoyu area of Shiga Kogen is now moving with a 20-40m wide and 600m long stretch of course open to skiers and snowboarders. That is all that is open for the time being here. We have had a decent fall of snowfall overnight up here and I measured 11cm, making everywhere nice and white this morning. More snowfall overnight tonight will help things along... Shiga Kogen Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Thursday 24th November 2016 Total snowfall at base 22cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 3 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 11cm (24th November) November 2016 snowfall 22cm 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 Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 6cm Snowfall at base this season 63cm Posted on Thursday 24th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Hello and I have more snowfall to report to you this morning from here in Hirafu. I am measuring 6cm of fresh here outside my place (and by the way, I always measure in exactly the same spot). Unfortunately it has stopped snowing for the moment. It is another very cold morning though and the temperature is currently -7C. Temperatures may rise slightly later on today but remain well under freezing and hopefully there will be more snow to report tomorrow morning. The snow eased off just before but it's back to coming down again and that might be the pattern for today and tomorrow. No further updates yet from Niseko Grand Hirafu who are waiting to open as soon as there is enough snow. If we can get some more base laid down over the next 48 hours, perhaps an opening on Saturday might be possible? That's purely my own guess, by the way. Niseko Annupuri of course has always been planning to open from this Saturday. That sounds just a bit daunting. (But I love it!) --- The planned dates for the four main resorts. Dates may vary depending on snowfall: Niseko Grand Hirafu: as soon as there is enough snow until Sunday 7th May 2017 Niseko Annupuri: Saturday 26th November 2016 until Sunday 7th May 2017 Niseko Hanazono: Saturday 3rd December 2016 until Sunday 2nd April 2017 Niseko Village: Thursday 1st December 2016 until Sunday 2nd April 2017 Night skiing is planned from Saturday 10th December until Monday 20th March 2017 at the Annupuri, Grand Hirafu and Village resort areas. Niseko Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Thursday 24th November 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 63cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 10 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 18cm (10th November) November 2016 snowfall 63cm 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 1cm Snowfall at base this season 3cm Posted on Wednesday 23rd November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Greetings from here in Zao Onsen where we have some snow to report. Not a huge amount, just 1cm here at base and so hopefully a good bit more higher up. You may have noticed on the new yesterday that there was an strong earthquake off the east costs of Fukushima yesterday morning. We felt it pretty strong here as well, a shindo 4 on the Japanese scale. Let's hope that's the last time for a long time, I can do without that feeling! Anyway back to the happy subject of snowfall once again. The forecast for the coming week is looking mixed - there's chances of snowfall on and off but nothing major by the looks. Zao Onsen doesn't tend to give an 'opening date', rather something more like 'early December'. I'm sure that once enough snow does actually fall here, the lifts will start moving. Not long now. Keep your eyes on the forecast, and I'll be back in a few days... Zao Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Wednesday 23rd November 2016 Total snowfall at base 3cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 2 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 2cm (on 10th November) November 2016 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 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 Furano region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 4cm Snowfall at base this season 82cm Posted on Wednesday 23rd November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . Furano continues to do very well with these early season snow falls with a further 4cm to report this morning. The forecast is still for continuous light snow through until Monday. While this may amount to just a few centimetres each day, the cumulative effect is certainly going to help build up the lower mountain base. On Monday evening heavy snow is predicted at higher elevations, so we will be keeping our eye on that to see how it develops. For today there is a nice new layer of light powder snow on a 70cm base. It is fairly windy and temperatures are pretty cold with -10c recorded this morning at the top of Furano Ropeway. Furano Zone is partially open with Furano Ropeway operating to upload and download skiers to and from the upper mountain. It is not possible to ski from the top to bottom of the mountain yet. The skiable lift is Downhill Romance no.2 chair and the skiable courses are the upper part of Sailer and Spies Course, and Shirakaba Course. Restaurant Downhill is open. Kitanomine Zone is closed. Furano Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Wednesday 23rd November 2016 Total snowfall at base 82cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 12 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (8th November) November 2016 snowfall 82cm reported on 12 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 Shiga Kogen region of Nagano New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 11cm Posted on Wednesday 23rd November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Shiga Kogen Now report can be found here . Hello from Shiga Kogen and it is a cold morning. Rain last night turned into snow, and this morning it has been snowing here. Not huge amounts, but it is all going to count. As I write this it actually turning quite bright, but the forecast is for snow to continue and perhaps even some decent snowfall tonight into tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Kumanoyu have said that they hope to be able to say when they will be able to open later on today. The section of Route 292 between Yokoteyama and Kusatsu in Gunma Prefecture is now closed for the winter season. Shiga Kogen Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Wednesday 23rd November 2016 Total snowfall at base 11cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 2 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 10cm (10th November) November 2016 snowfall 11cm 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 Shiga Kogen. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 6cm Snowfall at base this season 57cm Posted on Wednesday 23rd November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Hello from here in Hirafu and - as expected - Niseko Grand Hirafu is not going to be able to open today and opening has been delayed. The resort announced this yesterday and are saying that they will be starting up the lifts just as soon as there is enough snow to do so. I do have some fresh snow to report this morning with 6cm of snow here at base. And it is really cold as well this morning - proper winter-like, and my thermometer early on is reading -7 degrees. It's not forecast to warm up any from that point either, so all being well we should be in for a day of cold and more snowfall. The forecast is looking promising still over the next few days so fingers crossed. With the official opening of the resorts almost upon us, there's a real buzz around at the moment. Many people who are here in the Niseko region to work for the season are in place and ready to go (with their riding and perhaps with their work too!), owners of businesses are also either waiting or frantically putting plans into place... and of course there are some people who are bravely here in order to enjoy some first turns of the season. Early season is always a gamble of course - wherever you decide to go - so let us hope that this season will be a good one. --- The planned dates for the four main resorts. Dates may vary depending on snowfall: Niseko Grand Hirafu: as soon as there is enough snow until Sunday 7th May 2017 Niseko Annupuri: Saturday 26th November 2016 until Sunday 7th May 2017 Niseko Hanazono: Saturday 3rd December 2016 until Sunday 2nd April 2017 Niseko Village: Thursday 1st December 2016 until Sunday 2nd April 2017 Night skiing is planned from Saturday 10th December until Monday 20th March 2017 at the Annupuri, Grand Hirafu and Village resort areas. Niseko Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Wednesday 23rd November 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 57cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 9 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 18cm (10th November) November 2016 snowfall 57cm 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 Furano region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 4cm Snowfall at base this season 78cm Posted on Tuesday 22nd November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . A few more centimetres of snow have fallen since yesterdays report and we are expecting this light snowfall to continue throughout the week until Saturday. At the moment the snow has stopped but looks like it could start coming down again anytime soon. Temperatures stayed freezing overnight but at village level they will rise just above 0c during the day. Furano Zone is partially open with Furano Ropeway operating to upload and download skiers to and from the upper mountain. It is not possible to ski from the top to bottom of the mountain yet. The skiable lift is Downhill Romance no.2 chair and the skiable courses are the upper part of Sailer and Spies Course, and Shirakaba Course. Restaurant Downhill is open. Kitanomine Zone is closed. Furano Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Tuesday 22nd November 2016 Total snowfall at base 78cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 11 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (8th November) November 2016 snowfall 78cm reported on 11 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