>> Conditions observed 9am at Village level:
24-hour snow 0cm
Temperature -6°C
Snow depth 110cm
>> Conditions reported at 820m (Hirafu midway station):
Temperature -11°C
Snow depth 250cm
A nice 10cm top up of snow overnight but not the big 30cm dump we’re hoping and waiting for. The forecast is loaded so hopefully this week it will come! It’s a funny old season – very cold with the right winds keeping us refrigerated, but without the precipitation. My guess – El Nino. At least we’re not getting rain like they are down south! Compared to much of Japan and the rest of the world, we’d have to be one of the best off in the world right now.
Winds are affecting lift operations today. All of Hanazono open with top lift slowed; Hirafu top lifts closed; Niseko Village gondola slowed (that’s a long trip!); and Annupuri gondola on hold.
Consistent light snow forecast for the coming week or more. My guess is that we’ll be getting intermittent light to moderate falls over the next 24 hours, perhaps with a few heavy sessions.
:PL