Thursday 31st December 2009

Weather conditions: Snowing
New snowfall: 15 cm
Snow depth: 135 cm (Goryu base) 200 cm (Goryu top)
Weather in Hakuba is currently snowing and the forecast calls for it to continue all day.

Hakuba village received 15-17cm of snow overnight, so on-hill conditions will get a much needed powder input. Expect light and dry powder on terrain above 1500m and great skiing on all aspects. Bring a hooded jacket and good goggles today as you will need them.

The low pressure system circling Japan is expected to stick around for 3 days with healthy snowfall forecast, so make the most of it and get some while it dumps.

Avalanche Conditions in the Hakuba Area:
Alpine: Extreme
Tree Line: Extreme
Below Tree line: High

Rapid loading on all aspects, continued heavy snowfall for the next 3 days will most likely see this trend continued. Due caution should be taken on steep unsupported terrain, wind loaded lee-ward slopes and convex slopes.

Official resort snow depths on 31st Dec 09:

Happo-one:
75cm (Shirakaba)
80cm (Sakka/Kitaone)
210cm (Kurobishi/Usagidaira)
Hakuba Goryu:
100cm (Iimori)
135cm (Toomi)
200cm (Alps daira)
Hakuba 47:
160cm
Tsugaike Kogen:
90cm (Kanenonaruoka)
90cm (Maruyama)
185cm (Tsuganomori)
Hakuba Iwatake:
100cm (Shomen)
120cm (Sancho)
Sun Alpina Sanosaka:
75cm