Independent snow and weather reporting from the Furano region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 3cm Snowfall at base this season 74cm Posted on Monday 21st November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . Sunday turned out to be really warm with temperatures peaking at +9c and light rain falling for the first half of the day. The temperature plunged in the evening, and late evening light snow started fall which has amounted to a reasonable 3cm on the ground this morning. For the next six days temperatures will remain below freezing in the village and light snow is forecast to fall continuously. While there are no big numbers on the snow radar the constant trickle will add up to a decent amount each day I think. The courses that are open have good coverage and are providing great early season skiing. The lower mountain needs a significant snowfall before any course can be opened down to the base area. 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 Monday 21st November 2016 Total snowfall at base 74cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 10 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (8th November) November 2016 snowfall 74cm 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 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 Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 51cm Posted on Monday 21st November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Good morning from Niseko and here were are in the week when the ski lifts plan to start moving. The big question is... will they be able to? We endured some rain over the weekend which washed away the white on the lower slopes again, but this morning we have some more snowfall. The lower slopes are now looking speckled white. So there is just a bit with 1cm to add to my snowfall tally from down here at base. It's colder again this morning and so hopefully, this time it will now remain cold and we can enter into winter proper. The forecast has snow falling from later on tomorrow and a chance of snowfall every day through into the weekend. It remains to be seen if there will be enough snow for opening as planned - there's not enough yet. --- Thank you to the person who pointed out my mistake regarding the opening dates of Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Annupuri - I had them the wrong way round. It is of course Niseko Grand Hirafu that hopes to open this coming Wednesday (23rd), with Niseko Annupuri planning to open on Saturday (26th). Apologies. --- The planned dates for the four main resorts: Niseko Grand Hirafu: Wednesday 23rd November 2016 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 Monday 21st November 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 51cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 8 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 18cm (10th November) November 2016 snowfall 51cm reported on 8 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 2cm Snowfall at base this season 71cm Posted on Friday 18th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . We are back into a warm spell with the weather and +4c certainly feels toasty compared to the recent freezing temps that we have been getting used to. The rain that was on the forecast arrived today and it is raining heavily right at the moment at village level. On the upper mountain there is some light snow coming down. The good news is that Furano Ski Area will open tomorrow, commencing the 2016/17 ski season. This is one week ahead of the target opening date of 26 November due to really good early season snowfalls. The information received from the resort for operations tomorrow 19 November are as follows: Furano Zone will be 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 will be the Downhill Romance no.2 chair and the skiable courses will be the upper part of Sailer Course which is approximately 800m in length and Shirakaba Course 740m. If you are feeling like some food on the mountain Restaurant Downhill will be open. Kitanomine Zone - closed. Furano Ropeway 8:30am-15:00pm for uploading/downloading only. Furano Downhill Romance 2 chairlift 8:40am-15:00pm Furano Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Friday 18th November 2016 Total snowfall at base 71cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 9 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (8th November) November 2016 snowfall 71cm reported on 9 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Furano. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Furano region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 5cm Snowfall at base this season 69cm Posted on Thursday 17th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . There has been some light snow on and off during the day and a total of 5cm has accumulated on the ground. Temperatures have been sitting just below freezing throughout the day. It looks like there will be some heavy rain falling tomorrow at village level, but hopefully this will fall as snow on the upper mountain and lead to the resort being able to open on Saturday - fingers crossed. The next significant snow should arrive on Monday with some heavy falls on Tuesday. Furano Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Thursday 17th November 2016 Total snowfall at base 69cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 8 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (8th November) November 2016 snowfall 69cm reported on 8 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 Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 3cm Snowfall at base this season 50cm Posted on Thursday 17th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here A quick report today with another just about 3cm of fresh snow to report outside my place this morning and light snow falling this morning when I left to come here to Sapporo. It's keeping cold and today the forecast is for light snow and cloud. Perhaps a few bits of blue sky might show through in the afternoon. We're still looking at warmer conditions from tomorrow and over the weekend, and rain forecast too. Hopefully things will return to cold and snowy early week. --- The planned dates for the four main resorts: Niseko Grand Hirafu: Wednesday 23rd November 2016 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 17th November 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 50cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 7 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 18cm (10th November) November 2016 snowfall 50cm 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 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 2cm Snowfall at base this season 64cm Posted on Wednesday 16th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . The weather has snapped back from a warmish spell that brought with it a fair amount of rain and cleaned up most of the snow lying around the village. Late last evening it started to snow heavily but soon eased up and there has just been a light flurry since. Overnight there has been 2cm of new snow. Today and tomorrow should see continuing light snow and cold temperatures. From Friday through to Sunday temperatures will rise above zero and there is some rain on the forecast, hopefully this will be snow at higher elevations on the mountain. Furano Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Wednesday 16th November 2016 Total snowfall at base 64cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 7 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (8th November) November 2016 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 Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 3cm Snowfall at base this season 47cm Posted on Wednesday 16th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Good afternoon from the Niseko area and this morning I have some fresh snowfall to report. There was 3cm of fresh to add to the total this morning, and while it is nice to see a return to colder conditions after some slightly warmer conditions, as I write this report it's borderline with wet snow falling. Temperatures are hovering around the zero mark and we should see some more cm of snow over the next few days, though nothing major is forecast. Unfortunately, it does look like things are going to warm up again from Friday and through the weekend... hopefully by not too much. The first lifts are scheduled to start moving from Wednesday next week - just one week away now - and so we could do with more cold and decent snow before then. --- The planned dates for the four main resorts: Niseko Grand Hirafu: Wednesday 23rd November 2016 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 16th November 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 47cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 6 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 18cm (10th November) November 2016 snowfall 47cm 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 3cm Snowfall at base this season 62cm Posted on Monday 14th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . We are currently experiencing a blip in the wintery weather here in Furano. On Saturday morning there was 3cm of new snow but temperatures rose well above zero during the day and the snow around the village receded significantly. Sunday was also very warm with raining falling for the whole day which continued to melt the snow on the roads and gardens. Today started with a hard frost but temperatures quickly rose with the rising of the sun and temperatures are forecast to hit +8c later in the day. From evening until tomorrow morning heavy rain is forecast. The good news is that from Tuesday afternoon continuous snow is predicted through until Friday. Hopefully this will allow the resort to open on 19th November as planned. Furano Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Monday 14th November 2016 Total snowfall at base 62cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 6 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (8th November) November 2016 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 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 2cm Snowfall at base this season 2cm Posted on Thursday 10th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Hello and a very good afternoon to you from here in Zao Onsen. It has been a beautiful autumn - it always is! - and in recent weeks and days it has been getting decidedly colder. And after a few dustings of snow coming down to near village level, this morning we were treated to a few cm of snow in the village. It was cold too, early on in particular, with temperatures down below zero. It is definitely feeling like winter is definitely just around the corner, if not here already. I am hearing that this snowfall in the village is about 10 days earlier than last season - though last season may not be the best comparison, it being a disappointing season all round snow-wise. It looks like there is a chance of more snow tonight as well, though it may just be rain here at base. I will post more reports if and when it snows, and then my reports will be daily as the ski season gets started. Zao Onsen is planning on opening at the beginning of December. Zao Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Thursday 10th November 2016 Total snowfall at base 2cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 1 day Most snowfall observed in 1 day 2cm (on 10th November) November 2016 snowfall 2cm observed on 1 day 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 59cm Posted on Thursday 10th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . We have more snow to report in this update with a further 4cm accumulating on the ground overnight. There is a light breeze at the moment making things feel chilly when in reality it is only 0c on the thermometer. There is not much more snow on the weather map for the rest of the week, and Saturday through Monday it is expected temperatures will rise into the low positives and bring a little rain with it. The original opening date of 26 November 2016 has been reviewed and Furano Ski Area now plans to open on 19 November 2016, subject to snow and weather conditions permitting. Furano Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Thursday 10th November 2016 Total snowfall at base 59cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 5 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (8th November) November 2016 snowfall 59cm 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 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 0cm Snowfall at base this season 0cm Posted on Thursday 10th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Hakuba Now report can be found here . Good morning and a cheery hello from Hakuba. It has been 6 months since my last Hakuba Now report at the end of the 15-16 season, and here we are now with the 16-17 season just ahead of us. Everyone in Hakuba, and everyone who loves Hakuba of course, are excitedly looking forward to what 16-17 has in store. We are all hoping that it will be a lot of consistent snowfall and excellent conditions. I'll take you through the season with my daily reports, so let's see! It was snowing yesterday. I was over at the base of Hakuba 47 and while it the snow was not sticking down to village level, it felt good to have snow falling on my head once again. This morning it is cloudy but we may get some sunshine later on, though it is going to remain chilly. Overnight it will probably be raining down here but more snow is forecast for up on the mountains. After that slightly warmer conditions are forecast (10 degrees and slightly above) as well as a decent chance of sunny conditions again into at least early next week. Here are the official planned season opening dates as I have been able to find. Of course, they are all subject to change depending on what happens weather-wise: Hakuba Happo-one: from 19th November Hakuba 47: from late November Hakuba Goryu: from late November Tsugaike Kogen: from 28th November Hakuba Cortina: from 10th December Hakuba Norikura Onsen: from mid December Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field: from 16th December Hakuba Sanosaka: from mid December I will post more reports if and when it snows before the season starts, and then the reports will be daily throughout the season. Hakuba Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Thursday 10th November 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 0cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 0 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 0cm November 2016 snowfall 0cm 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 10cm Snowfall at base this season 10cm Posted on Thursday 10th November 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Shiga Kogen Now report can be found here . I'm very pleased to be able to start the reports for the 2016/2017 season. Last season was a strange one, as I remember all too well having to report on it every day. So fingers crossed that the coming season will be one of much more snowfall and much more consistent conditions. There has already been a few snowfalls on the mountains here, with the first creeping down to base areas on 1st November, though no cm to report. We enjoyed a run of days with clearer weather since then, until yesterday morning when I woke up and there was 6cm on the top of my car. Oh yes, it felt good to be wiping snow off the car. No doubt there was more snow in higher areas up on the slopes of course and the snow continued throughout the day, along with some strong winds blowing about as well. So my first snowfall report for the season in total since yesterday is a decent 10cm, with the chance of a bit more falling overnight tonight as well (though it may be rain in lower areas). The first ski lift movement of the season should be on Saturday 19th November, if there is enough snow of course. After that there's an opening ceremony on Saturday 3rd December and then the 'grand open' (everywhere open?) on Friday 23rd December. Lets see what the weather brings. I will post a few more reports before the season gets going. Shiga Kogen Now 2016-2017 season Data as of Thursday 10th November 2016 Total snowfall at base 10cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 1 day Most snowfall observed in 1 day 10cm (10th November) November 2016 snowfall 10cm reported on 1 day 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