Disclaimer: The Evergreen Outdoor Center does not claim that our reports are a 100% accurate forecast of the snow stablity in the Hakuba area, nor should these reports influence your decisions regarding safe backcountry travel.There is no way that anyone can forecast the weather and snow stability 100% accurately across as broad a mountain range such as the Hakuba valley. As these two great phenomenon are forces of nature and constantly changing it is up to YOU, the mountain enthusiast, to make route decisions and judge snow stability in the area that you are traveling. The weather reporters and snow stability forecasters at Evergreen are professional and passionate about what they do and make it their goal to provide the most accurate accounts of the conditions in the Hakuba Valley, but this is no substitute for undergoing proper avalanche skills training.

Hakuba Snow Report January 7th

The strong winds prevalent of late have died down and today opens to a beautiful bluebird sky with cold temperatures measured at -7 at 1800m and around -4 now in the valley. Snow makers have been blasting at full force and are still blowing at Happo now as the resorts fight to maintain the base depth on the lower slopes. Another low is approaching and precipitation is on the radar. The weather pattern of late has been for the storm fronts to take a sharp left and avoid us so there’s a lot of fingers crossed that this will bring the much needed snow. Still will be a great day on the higher slopes, there was some light snowfall last night leaving a trace of fresh and runs will be well-groomed and not busy.

TEMPERATURE IN THE VALLEY: -4

TEMPERATURE AT 1800m: -7

BASE DEPTH (GORYU):

190 cm at 1800m

60 cm at the base

SNOW STABILITY INFORMATION:

The sun crust of January 4th has 5 to 30 cm of new light snow riding over top and is easy to sluff or slab off in wind effected areas. Northerly exposures were seemingly unaffected by the warm temperatures of Jan 4th but there are multiple layers of in the top 50 cm of recent snow. Moderate compression tests on north aspect at 1900 meters in the Tsugaike region were found yesterday at the new snow and past snow interface as well as at slightly wind effected layers of decomposing crystals which are slightly faceting. Winds have settled down over the last few days but the high winds pre the week end have left Easterly exposures wind loaded and deposited deep snow in the lee areas. Take due care in cross loaded Northerly terrain and when entering into lee slopes from scoured ridges or convex terrain.

There was a size 2 avalanche involvement in the Tsugaike area on Saturday and there is still the potential of not only instability in the surface snow but right down to the Dec. 23rd rain crust.

Areas of deep snow pack will have greater stability than the thin shoulders and areas where overnight radiation of heat has created near surface faceting and faceting crystals around the areas of shallow crust.

Continued caution around cornices should be practiced and these areas avoided all together. CORNICES ARE VERY FRAGILE!

New flurries through this week have deposit new snow over the sun crust created by Sundays strong solar radiation. This new snow will be effected by strong solar radiation and warming temperatures today.
Increased snowfall adding load to buried week layer
Radiative cooling of snow surface causing low density snow and frost at surface
Rapid air temperature increase
Cornice fall
Increase load on underlying weak layers due to rapid settlement of surface snow
Solar radiated cornices becoming weak with direct solar radiation.
Use caution if crossing solar radiated slopes.
Increased instability of solar aspect start zones especially under cornices and very steep slopes.
Increased caution advised around rocky outcroppings‚ cliffs and well spaced trees in start zones.
Lee side loading
Windward scouring of ridges and rock out-crops creating uneven loading of slopes
Due caution on cross loaded slopes
Facet layer around buried crust
Stay away from steep and convex terrain

Danger level 3 : Considerable

Natural avalanches possible. Human triggered avalanches probable.

(Danger level ratings are set for conditions at tree line
and may varry from below tree line and High Alpine areas.
Use this ingormation as a guideline only.)

Hakuba Snow Report December 31st

Yesterday was an interesting one with warm temperatures and clear skies East of the Alps and snow falling slowly at the top of the resorts. Snow was a mix bag with some pockets of heavy powder, some slush down below and some alright groomed runs with a little bit of fresh on top.

Some of the lower runs were looking pretty patchy but luckily the snow came down into the village as forecast and was falling fairy decently by late afternoon. It petered out a bit later in the night leaving about 20-30 cms in Echoland this morning. 

Goryu are reporting a 5 cm base increase from yesterday and only 15 cm of fresh snow…winds are strong from the North-East and may cause some lift/gondola upsets…check with resorts for operation details. Lift/Gondola lines will be long this morning.

All snowmen on the Weather forecast!

TEMPERATURE IN THE VILLAGE:

-4 degrees C.

TEMPERATURE AT TOP OF MOUNTAIN:

-7 degrees C.

WIND:

Strong North-Westerlies

VISIBILITY:

Poor to Average

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Goryu:

BASE DEPTH: 185 cm (at 1500m)

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LIFT OPERATION:

All resorts are open weather dependent…check with resorts for details.

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SNOW STABILITY AND BACK COUNTRY BULLETIN:
 

15cm of new reported at Goyu Alps Daira at 1515m but there is 20cm of new snow over the last 24 hrs at 750m in Imori. The winds have been predominantly NW and on the increase up high but are still light in the valley. Temperature at 1515 was -7 C at 06:00 and is presently -1 at 750m.    

There may be the chance of larger slides releasing from the melt freeze crust of Dec 23rd today with the addition of the new snow. 

Surface slufs as well as slab avalanches with in the new snow are probable. South slopes that were affedted by strong radiation yesterday morning will find the new snow riding over a thin melt freeze layer and may have high instability.
Strong winds up top mean increased size of cornices and deep wind deposits on South Easterly slopes. 
Extreme caution around cornices and below cornices on steep convex terrain. 

-Increased snowfall adding load to buried week layer
-Increase in loose snow avalanches and suffs
-Falling tree bombs (Possible triggers and cause of avalanches as well as overhead hazards)
-Increased instability of solar aspect start zones especially under cornices and very steep slopes. 
-Increased caution advised around rocky outcroppings‚ cliffs and well spaced trees in start zones.
-Development of cornices in lee slopes
-Lee side loading
-Windward scouring of ridges and rock out-crops creating uneven loading of slopes
-Due caution on cross loaded slopes
-Poor bonding at or around buried crust
-Stay away from steep and convex terrain
Danger level 4 : High
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Use this information as a guideline only.

 

Hakuba Snow Report Dec 30th

Japanese holidays have started and everyone was treated yesterday to one of the best days of the season so far with bluebird skies after the last snowfall and sweet stashes of windblown powder all over the mountain. Ticket and gondola lines were super busy in the morning as everyone wanted to be the first up there.

Warm last night, no real precipitation but there was a real slight drizzle almost rain-like and water is dripping from roofs this morning with the mercury sitting at 4 degrees at 800m and measured at plus 1 this morning on the top of Goryu.

Forecast for snow today so hoping the temperature drops a few degrees early! Tons of snowmen on the radar though temperatures don’t look like they’re gonna stay fully in the minuses. The next snowfall is really what we need to get our base on.

TEMPERATURE IN THE VILLAGE:

4 degrees C.

TEMPERATURE AT TOP OF MOUNTAIN:

1 degrees C.

WIND:

Moderate Westerlies at altitude

VISIBILITY:

Good; limited above 2000m

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Goryu:

BASE DEPTH: 180 cm (at 1500m)

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LIFT OPERATION:

Most runs/resorts are open…check with resorts for details.

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AVALANCHE STABILITY AND BACK COUNTRY BULLETIN:
 

Clear skies and warm temperatures today meant rapid settlement in the snow pack allowing bonding to take place. The snow depths are extremely varying over terrain‚ shallow in wind scoured ridges and around rocks and very deep in lee ward pockets. This varying snow depth means that there are areas heavily loaded with thin fragile borders at the ridges. Be very careful entering into steep complex terrain from scoured areas into loaded areas. 
Stay out of steep conplex terrain as avalanches are likely. Especially on complex lee or cross loaded slopes.

Faceting has been found above and below the melt freeze crust of Dec. 23rd. These facets will be gaining in size in shallow snowpack areas‚ around rocks and on scoured ridges. However should start to bond in areas of deep snow pack. Tests on east facing wind deposits today found Hard or no compressions at the crust at a depth of 110 cm below snow surface. 

Due to the strong winds a wind slab varying in thickness can be found across the Hakuba range. 

Be aware of rapid changes in the snow related to solar radiation and rising air temperatures.

Extreme caution around cornices and below cornices on steep convex terrain. 

High danger of falling snow from rooves
High density new snow over lower density snow layer
Rapid air temperature decrease
Cornice fall
rapid settlement of surface snow causing load on buried weak layers
Increased instability of solar aspect start zones especially under cornices and very steep slopes. 
Development of cornices in lee slopes
Lee side loading
Windward scouring of ridges and rock out-crops creating uneven loading of slopes
Due caution on cross loaded slopes
Poor bonding at or around buried crust
Stay away from steep and convex terrain

Danger level 4 : High

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Use this information as a guideline only.
 

Hakuba Snow Report Dec. 29

Finally some powder in Hakuba! It started snowing yesterday and didn’t
stop giving us a solid White Christmas. 40-50 cms on my car this
morning and with Goryu reporting a base increase from 70 to 100 and 50
cms of fresh.

Due to high winds up top none of the Gondolas are still presently not running in Hakuba except for Tsugaike which is running to mid station. Lifts running at Goryu are Tommi Sky 4, Tommi #1 Pair, Imori # 1 High speed pair and Imori Milky 4. The Shirakaba lifts 1, 2 & 3 are running at Happo. Thanks to Tokyu! Tsugaike is running a few bottom lifts and the Shirakaba lift giving the best skiing in the valley.

The winds are continuing to increase and will through the day so don’t expect to get up top today. It will be great once we can access the great snows that have finally fallen this white Christmas.

The snows will continue through the day and into tomorrow so as long as the winds die down the snow will be deep and fluffy.

TEMPERATURE IN THE VILLAGE:

-5 degrees C.

TEMPERATURE AT TOP OF MOUNTAIN:

-9 degrees C.

WIND:

Strong

VISIBILITY:

good at the Base

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Goryu:

BASE DEPTH: 100 cm (at 1500m)

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LIFT OPERATION:

Limited lift operations - waiting for more snow to open up more. Upper
runs on Goryu, Hakuba 47, Happo One & Tsugaike are open.

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AVALANCHE STABILITY AND BACK COUNTRY BULLETIN AS AT DEC 26:
 

50 cm of new snow overnight and 30 cm through the day are adding up to make alot of new snow adding wieght to the weak layers around the melt freeze crust of Dec 23rd. This new snow storm is associated with strong to extreme winds from varrying directions meaning that there may be multiple wind deposits on all aspects. Wind direction has predominantly been North West.

Stay out of steep conplex terrain as avalanches are likely. Especially on complex lee or cross loaded slopes.

Faceting has been found above and below the melt freeze crust of Dec. 23rd. Tests today at 1600 m Tsugaike‚ east aspect resulted in moderate failures at this crust layer found 100 cm below the surface of the snow. 

Due to the strong winds a wind slab varying in thickness can be found across the Hakuba range. Shooting cracks were observed in this wind slab today. Underlaying this dense wind slab is lower density new snow that is a weak layer near the top of the recent new snow. This layer was producing multiple natural slab avalanches also observed below tree line in the Tsugaike area.

Be aware of rapid changes in the snow related to frequent changes in wind direction and heavy constant snow fall.

Extreme caution around cornices and below cornices on steep convex terrain. 

RECOMENDATION: Stay in bounds on the piste until these new layers have time to bond. 

- Heavy snowfall
- Rapid increase of wieght on snow pack
- Suffocation by falling face first in to deep powder
- High danger of falling snow from rooves
- Surface avalanches in new snow due to underlying grauple layer
- Increased snowfall adding load to buried week layer
- Cornice fall
- Increase in loose snow avalanches and suffs
- Falling tree bombs (Possible triggers and cause of avalanches as well as overhead hazards)
- Development of cornices in lee slopes
- Lee side loading
- Windward scouring of ridges and rock out-crops creating uneven loading of slopes
- Due caution on cross loaded slopes
- Poor bonding at or around buried crust
- Facet layer around buried crust
- Wide propagation due to wind slab
- Stay away from steep and convex terrain

Danger level: Extreme

Wide spread natural and human triggered avalanches certain.
Danger level ratings are set for conditions at tree line and may vary from below tree line and High Alpine areas.

Use this information as a guideline only.
 

Hakuba Snow Report December 23

Snow was on the radar but we were let off light with only a sprinkle in the valley and 5cms of fresh on the runs at Goryu. Bottom slopes are still brown with a shake of white on top though there may be some stashes of wind-blown on the sides of the runs. Temperatures really came down yesterday but we missed the precipitation unfortunately. 

26th and 27th are still showing big snowmen and we really need two solid days of snow to get our base on.

TEMPERATURE IN THE VILLAGE:

-2 degrees C.

TEMPERATURE AT TOP OF MOUNTAIN:

-2 degrees C.

WIND:

Light

VISIBILITY:

Poor above 1600m

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Goryu:

BASE DEPTH: 70 cm (at 1500m)

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LIFT OPERATION:

Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba 47, Happo-One, Tsugaike Kogen (all limited operation)

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BACKCOUNTRY TRAVEL ADVISORY AS AT DECEMBER 22:

1 degree celcius and presently mixed rain and snow at 1500m. Rain to 2000m Sunday night as precipitation began with the snow line decending with decrease in temperature. Today the freezing level may rise again causing rain to the tops of the Hakuba ski resorts and possibly above. 

Snow is expected to continue falling above the freezing level through tuesday. 

Due caution is needed if traveling in the back country today as the new wieght of rain and low density snow has added rapid load to the snow pack and developed cornices. This new snow will not be bonding quickly to the sun crust and wind deposited snow below. expect natural and human triggered avalanches with in the new storm snow and at the past snow surface and new storm snow interface. 

Recent high winds in the Alpine have created large wind deposits of snow on NE lee slopes. With the change in wind direction this morning wind loading of West slopes will also begin with present moderate winds out of the East. Caution around cornices as new wieght on the cornices may cause them to colaps and trigger avalanches on the slopes below. Lee slope has changed with the new change in wind direction.

- Rapid increase of weight on snow pack
- Cornice fall
- Development of cornices in lee slopes
- Lee side loading
- Due caution on cross loaded slopes
- Poor bonding at or around buried crust
- Stay away from steep and convex terrain
DANGER LEVEL:
High

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