Snow Report March 3rd

High cloud cover this morning and a few flakes were falling this morning. Temperatures at 8:30 were measured at -4 at the top of Goryu and 0 at the base, fairly warm with snow melt in the carparks already today. As at 10:10 temperatures were 4.5 degrees in Wadano with some blue skies and sunshine poking through.

Over in Otari this morning a few lines that were there yesterday were filled in today so they must have received a bit of snow but fall in the Hakuba valley was minimal. More snow flurries expected through this week.

Backcountry Travel Advisory:
Huge amounts of heavy wet snow Saturday night sitting on sun & ice-crusts combined with warm temperatures means it is still quite likely on steep sun-facing aspects for natural triggered avalanches to occur and even on moderate slope angles human triggered slides are probable. There were reports of a slide at 47 yesterday and also a large crack was witnessed on a South-East facing solar aspect of the valley between Happo and 47. As always be equipped and prepared and assess the slope stability before entering, also be especially careful on solar-aspects as the day progresses.

Avalanche Hazard:

Alpine: High
Tree line: Considerable
Below Tree Line: Considerable

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

International Danger Scale

TEMPERATURE IN THE VILLAGE:

0 degrees C.

TEMPERATURE AT TOP OF MOUNTAIN:

-4 degrees C.

WIND:

Light Westerlies with some gusts.

VISIBILITY:

Good

*******************************************

Happo-One:

BASE DEPTH: 150 cm(at the base); 300 cm(at 1500m)

Goryu/47:

BASE DEPTH:150 cm(at the base); 355 cm(at 1500m)

Tsugaike Kogen:

BASE DEPTH: 230 cm(at the base); 345 cm(at 1500m)

********************************************

LIFT OPERATION:

Goryu Toomi, Hakuba 47, Happo-One, Tsugaike Kogen, Iwatake, Cortina, Sanosaka, Sun Alpina, Minekata, Hakuba Highland, Yanaba, all open