BIT of a funny start to the season this one. There have been some really early and generous pre-season snowfalls in Niseko, but as soon as it came to crunch time and the resort opened, the tap stopped running.
The first snow at village level was October 31, and two days later the biggest storm so far this winter dumped non-stop for two days, burying the village and depositing about 60cm up high. Jess Ripper and local photo guru Glen Claydon hiked up to score waist-deep pow and got the pics to prove it (that’s Jess on the left!).
However, the next significant snowfall came a couple of days before official resort opening day, and dumped enough to open on time. It’s since barely dropped a flake, but the forecast was starting to ripen as we went to print.
But we’re pretty sure as you’re reading this, all concerns about the slow start to the season will be long gone!