It is presently overcast and 2.5 degrees C in the Hakuba valley. There is no wind to speak of and as temperatures rise through the day we may see clearing as this low valley fog dissipates.
The courses are groomed and should be good early spring conditions with snow getting wetter at lower elevations later in the day. The new Happo SNOWBOARD park is under way and has been getting some mixed reviews. Great reviews from the Snowboarders but not so happy reviews from the skiers that are not being allowed to use the park. Seems extremely humorous as snowboarders were finally allowed to ride the whole of Happo only 10 years ago. Guess the boarders are trying to get their own back on the skiers. However, showing good form one of the Evergreen ski instructors jumped the rope and proceeded to throw a 720 on the first kicker and then continued to throw a laid out back flip on the second hit just to show the boarders up. Take that and stick it in your baggy pants.
Backcountry Travel Advisory:
Temperatures have cooled since yesterday but are still above freezing. Solar radiation is minimal this morning but could increase with possible clearing today. The thing to keep an eye on are those heavy south faces that are waiting to come down with increased solar radiation, sharp temperature rises and or rain on the slopes. It is especially important to time traverses under South slopes early in the day or on days of cool temperatures. North Faces high in the alpine have not been receiving the same solar radiation and snow temps are still cool. Be careful of intense wind loading on the Northern aspects high in the Alpine from yesterdays wind event at ridge top. Cornices are big and will come down with the heat.
Avalanche danger will increased with any intense warming or rain. Watch solar radiated slopes, around rocks and cornices as they warm through the day.
Avalanche Hazard:
Alpine: Considerable
Tree line: Moderate
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:
5 degrees C.
TEMPERATURE AT TOP OF MOUNTAIN:
0 degrees C.
WIND:
Calm with some light Westerlies.
VISIBILITY:
Excellent
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Goryu/47:
BASE DEPTH:140 cm(at the base); 330 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