January 22nd, 2008

Cloud cover hovered at around 1600m yesterday and temperatures stayed cold at around -2/3 through the day so any powder remaining (search hard, there’s some out there somewhere) should still be in good condition.

This morning we wake to a sprinkling of salt on the cars but no accumulation. Runs today will be groomed and fast. Blue skies with some cloud another one of those days. No turns top to bottom alpine race for beers anyone?

Forecast:

More snow flurries possibly beginning this evening and snow flurries with all-day below zero temperatures forecast through this week.

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TEMPERATURE IN THE VILLAGE:

-5 degrees C.

TEMPERATURE AT TOP OF MOUNTAIN:

-8 degrees C.

WIND:

Light North-Westerlies

VISIBILITY:

Good.

LIFT OPERATION:

Goryu Toomi, Hakuba 47 the Gondola, Happo-One, Tsugaike Kogen, Iwatake, Cortina, Sanosaka, Sun Alpina, open.

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Backcountry Travel Advisory:

Travel advisory remains the same as the “Backcountry Travel Advisory January 20th” posting.

See Below for International Danger scale classifications or click on the Canadian Avalanche Association web page for the International Danger Scale.

International Danger Scale

Low:

Natural avalanches very unlikely. Human triggered avalanches unlikely.
Travel is generally safe. Normal caution advised.

Moderate:

Natural avalanches unlikely. Human triggered avalanches possible.
Use caution in steeper terrain on certain aspects.

Considerable:

Natural avalanches possible. Human triggered avalanches probable.
Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain.

High:

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Extreme:

Widespread natural or human triggered avalanches certain.
Travel in avalanche terrain should be avoided and confined to low angle terrain, well away from avalanche path runouts.

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Happo-One:

BASE DEPTH: 67 cm(at the base); 240 cm(at 1500m)

Goryu/47:

BASE DEPTH:80 cm(at the base); 270 cm(at 1500m)

Tsugaike Kogen:

BASE DEPTH: 110 cm(at the base); 235 cm(at 1500m)

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