This morning we awoke to around 30cm of new snow in the Hakuba Valley. Higher elevations will have upwards of 40cm of fresh. High winds have transported snow over the past 24hrs and blizzard conditions prevailed steadily overnight. Currently still snowing lightly and wind is keeping the upper lifts closed for the time being. Get out there and enjoy the pow pow!
Backcountry Travel Advisory:
Strong winds on Saturday have created thick wind slabs on South and South East aspects that may be unstable in steep convexing terrain. Combine this with the recent heavy snow and one could expect instability in steeper North and South aspects. Take due care around exposed rocks and sparse trees on solar aspects and in steep lee slopes. The recent snow is very variable in depth due to the wind and solar radiation so be aware of this when entering into slopes and stay away from shallow snow on steep entrances in to chutes and open slopes.
Avalanche Hazard:
Alpine: High
Tree line: Considerable
Below Tree Line: Moderate
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:
-2 degrees C.
TEMPERATURE AT TOP OF MOUNTAIN:
-1 degrees C.
WIND:
Light Westerlies with some gusts.
VISIBILITY:
Average due to snow
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Goryu/47:
BASE DEPTH:155 cm(at the base); 355 cm(at 1500m)
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LIFT OPERATION:
Goryu Toomi, Hakuba 47, Happo-One, Tsugaike Kogen, Iwatake, Cortina, Sanosaka, Sun Alpina, Minekata, Hakuba Highland, Yanaba, all open but with limited gondola and lift service due to wind.