New Snow (Resort): 0cm
New Snow (Village): 0cm
Weather: Low cloud, light snow/sleet/rain showers
Snow Depth: 90cm (Yamabiko)
Outlook: A decent fall of snow overnight, Heavy snow over the new year period.
Open Areas: Almost the whole mountain is open. Some steeps that run off Skyline need more snow.
Today has been a warm day with temperatures hovering around zero, and a mixture of light rain, sleet and snow falling this morning into the early afternoon. It is now sunny with blue skies.
We are expecting some reasonable snow fall later this evening. A low front is expected to come through from the thirtieth which should bring some more powder. As much as I like snowboarding and skiing in all conditions, I’m craving a hit of the good stuff…
The resort puts on a variety of activities to ring in the new year. On the night of the 31st they extend nighter hours until 1130 at the Nagasaka slopes, provide free sake and hot wine, and hold a countdown to the new year and fireworks display. The Shrine area up above Ogama is a popular place to go after midnight, where you can make wishes for the new year in a Japanese tradition known as Hatsumoude (and drink free sake…) If you feel like having a quiet night, new years is the biggest night on TV in Japan. There is K1 (mixed martial arts), M1 (stand up comedy competition) and ‘Kohaku Uta Gassen’ – singing competition starring many famous Japanese artists. Whatever you have planned, keep your fingers crossed for plenty of snow to bring in the new year.