WE’VE well and truly entered the latter half of what has been another great winter in Niseko. March, which conjures up images of sunny blue skies and the start of slightly warmer spring-like weather. The depth of Hokkaido’s harsh winter has passed but there’s still plenty of snow around.
WE’VE well and truly entered the latter half of what has been another great winter in Niseko. March, which conjures up images of sunny blue skies and the start of slightly warmer spring-like weather. The depth of Hokkaido’s harsh winter has passed but there’s still plenty of snow around. The base depth is at its peak and should slowly start to back off over the coming month as the snowfalls become fewer and farther between and the sun stays in the sky a little longer each day.
The winter season is still far from over and March is a great time to be in Niseko. For a start, there’s generally more sunshine for the first time since November – up from an average of about 50 hours a month from December through February, to up over 100. Having said that there is still a good chance of some excellent powder days, with up around 1.5m of snow common and well over 2m possible. In between falls, it’s a great time to hit the backcountry to find the last untracked lines of the season.
There are plenty of on-mountain events and competitions on in March too. Kicking off with Hirafu’s famous Namara Ippatsu Big Air comp on March 8. If you can tear yourself away from skiing/onsening/eating/drinking, be sure to check this one out. There are also some great deals on accommodation, activities and meals at the moment thanks to the Niseko United’s winter campaign (see www.niseko.ne.jp). For those reading this on the web from elsewhere in the world, it’s a very good time to get yourself some top quality accommodation at bargain prices and enjoy a ski holiday in Niseko.
We’ve wrapped up March for you in this edition of Powderlife, so for those already here, we hope you have an amazing March in Niseko, and happy sliding!!
Kristian Lund, Powderlife Managing Editor [email protected]