60 cm (at the base) 255 cm (at 1,500 m a.s.l.)
We had every piece of weather nature could throw at us yesterday with rain, snow, sunshine, calm and howling raging winds interchanging every time the clock ticked. Today is back to spring clouds & sunshine with 7 degrees in the shade at 860m and overcast/blue skies . THe weather for this coming weekend is looking fantastic, well worth a late ski weekend away.
All of the resorts will unfortunately be closing their bottom lifts after the week end but this is a big week end coming up for events and competitions on all of the big resorts.
Hakuba Goryu will be hosting the Annual ‘Tri-Modal Challenge’ this Saturday and Sunday, April 5th & 6th. An fun event for all modes of sliding; Ski, Board and Telemark cross course comp and party. Check out the Tri-Modal Challenge here
or copy and paste this URL http://japantours.evergreen-hakuba.com/events
Hakuba 47 will be hosting ‘Selection’ a freestyle comp for Skiers and boarders a like on the 5th and 6th. http://www.hakuba47.co.jp/08winter/selection.html
Happo will host their annual JAL Supper Mogul Cup featuring Hakuba Local and Olympic medalist Uemura Aiko on April 6th. http://www.hakuba-happo.or.jp/ski/ski2008/JAL%20HAPPO%20ONE%20SUPER%20MOGUL%20CUP%202008.pdf
Tsugaike Kogen will host their 3rd annual Ski Mountaineering Race this coming weekend for all those speed hiker, randene skier folk. http://www.tsugaike.gr.jp/winter/
Enjoy the New snow and the great spring events while you can.
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Backcountry travel advisory:
The recent spring squalls that have deposited up to 1 metre of new snow on leeward slopes is a very big concern and should not be taken lightly. Slopes will be sliding easily and may produce very big slides inside and outside of ski area boundaries. there have been some very close calls in off piste and backcountry areas of late and end of season powder enthusiasts should be EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS as the new snow over riding March’s isothermal spring thaw is VERY UNSTABLE. As temperatures rise expect skier/boarder triggered and natural avalanches on any slope of 30 degrees or more. Lower angle slopes that are solar radiated and under tension may also slide. It is advisable to stay to ridges, lower angled simple slopes and densely spaced trees on shaded slopes for the safest descents. If you are unsure of the stability of the slope you are looking to ride, don’t risk it!
There are a lot of protruding rocks, gaping holes, big dirt patches that have been covered by the recent snow. Be especially careful on solar aspects and expect to see slides on them. Fluctuating temperatures have created crust and melt freeze conditions with fresh snow sitting on top that are not bonding well. Conditions are extremely varied and travel in the backcountry is not recommended today.
Avalanche Danger:
Below Tree Line: High
Tree Line: High
Alpine: High
See Below for International Danger scale classifications or click on the Canadian Avalanche Association web page for the International Danger Scale.
TEMPERATURE IN THE VILLAGE:
7 degrees C.
TEMPERATURE AT TOP OF MOUNTAIN:
2-3 degree C.
WIND:
Calm
VISIBILITY:
Excellent
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Goryu:
BASE DEPTH: 80 cm (at the base); 270 cm (at 1500m)
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LIFT OPERATION:
Goryu Toomi, Hakuba 47, Happo-One, Tsugaike Kogen, Iwatake, Cortina, Norikura, Sanosaka, Yanaba – presently all open with limited lift opperation. Bottom lifts and smaller hills will be closing after the week end.