Hakuba Snow Report

Last Hakuba Snow Report of the Season

hakuba guy — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:49:32 +0000

Well, we’ve decided to close the Hakuba Snow Report out this weekend. Not that that’s any reflection of the snow quality in Hakuba. The weather in Hakuba is unreal – almost like February at times. Just check out the Hakuba ski video below.

We’ll be updating occasionally over the off season with videos and pics from this season so if you have one you’d like to contribute please do so on our Facebook page. Otherwise see you all next season in Hakuba! You can start booking your accommodation in Hakuba here

Current snow depths and resort openings in Hakuba. *Special thanks to Snow Navi and Smitty for all their help this year!

Happo-one 230cm (upper slopes open until Golden Week/early may)
Tsugaike 345cm (upper slopes open until Golden Week/early may)
Goryu 280cm (upper slopes open until Golden Week/early may)
Hakuba 47 234cm (current plan is to stay open until Golden Week/early may)
Iwatake – closed
Norikura – closed
Cortina – closed
Kashimayari – closed
Sanosaka – closed

Hakuba Snow Report: April snow / Hakuba closing dates

hakuba guy — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 03:29:28 +0000

April Fools Day – but it’s no joke – it’s snowing again!

Despite still having great bases today is the last day of the season at Cortina, Norikura, Iwatake and Sanosaka. Minekata and Kashimayari are already closed. Happo-one and 47 are closing several lifts but hope to keep some areas open till Golden Week. At Goryu, Iimori closes today, Toomi area is open until next Sunday 8th April but the upper slopes will hopefully stay open until Golden Week (early May). Tsugaike Kogen also hopes to stay open until Golden week.

This was the scene in Hakuba Cortina this morning. Yet they close the season out at 5pm today with a 3.6 metre base in place!

This is what was happening earlier this week in Hakuba. Incredible! Thanks to the crew from Hakuba Powder Lodge

Current snow depths in Hakuba (thanks to Snow Navi):

Happo-one 260cm
Tsugaike 290cm
Goryu 275cm
Hakuba 47 246cm
Iwatake – closed
Norikura – closed
Cortina – closed
Kashimayari – closed

Hakuba Snow Report: Good base, firm snow

hakuba guy — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:04:31 +0000

After a huge dump earlier this week (maybe best of the season!) there’s been a couple of warm days in Hakuba with no snow to speak of as the end game looms here for many resorts. There is a still a very good base at most Hakuba resorts (see below) and the on-piste snow varies between corn, groomed and a bit slushy. Off to the sides there’s some great pillow lines still to slay. The even better part is that the slopes are empty and there are many discount ski tickets to be found – starting at 2,500 a day in both Iwatake and Tsugaike Kogen.

This was the scene in Happo today

Current snow depths in Hakuba (thanks to Snow Navi):

Happo-one 260cm
Tsugaike 300cm
Goryu 285cm
Hakuba 47 240cm
Iwatake 200cm
Norikura 140cm
Cortina 355cm
Kashimayari 165cm

Hakuba Snow Report: The season is not done yet

hakuba guy — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 14:59:51 +0000

The season has started to wind down a bit in Hakuba but that is no reflection on the amount of snow around. There has been a bit of rain (plus a lot of wind!) about and that has added to the danger/instability in the backcountry so people are advised to stay well clear for now. Despite that Hakuba has got another wave of freshies coming through that will probably last at least a couple of days.

Our Hakuba Snow Reports will continue to taper off between now and the end of the season – which may possibly last through till May in some places.

Current snow depths in Hakuba (thanks to Snow Navi):

Happo-one 200cm
Tsugaike 270cm
Goryu 250cm
Hakuba 47 220cm
Iwatake 155cm
Norikura 150cm
Cortina 340cm
Kashimayari 165cm

For something different here’s a bit of snowmobiling in Hakuba

Hakuba Snow Report: Lots of the fresh stuff today!

hakuba guy — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 02:19:31 +0000

Been some good falls since the last report with some Hakuba resorts reporting increased base of up to 30cm. It was fairly bright start to the morning but clouds have been coming in gradually. Fairly busy today with the national holiday and many Tokyoites and others taking the opportunity for a spring ski in Hakuba. More snowfall probably coming later this week and/or on the weekend. Snow condition is good with nice groomers and soft stuff on the sides.

Here’s a nice Hakuba powder snow video from Happo last week.

Current snow depths in Hakuba (thanks to Snow Navi):

Happo-one 220cm
Tsugaike 295cm
Goryu 265cm
Hakuba 47 246cm
Iwatake 160cm
Norikura 170cm
Cortina 320cm
Kashimayari 190cm

Hakuba Snow Report: Good day for an onsen

hakuba guy — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 03:10:38 +0000

Very miserable in Hakuba today. Bit of rain about that appears set to continue for most of the day. Temperatures are above freezing but hopefully that may turn around in the next day or two to bring forth some snow. Still a fair crowd in today so might be a good idea to take a day off to visit one of Hakuba’s many onsen.

Current snow depths in Hakuba (thanks to Snow Navi):

Happo-one 210cm
Tsugaike 270cm
Goryu 265cm
Hakuba 47 246cm
Iwatake 205cm
Norikura 165cm
Cortina 320cm
Kashimayari 190cm

Hakuba Snow Report: Sunny day with some fresh snow

hakuba guy — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:27:30 +0000

We’ve had some good falls since our last report (about 20-30cm) and that has continued through to this morning. Gorgeous bluebird afternoon with a low of -9 ° this morning and presently at our high of 3°

There are lots of people now heading out for the backcountry. Important! Avoid all avalanche terrain in both the alpine zone and at the tree line as there is high avalanche danger below the tree line and in off-piste areas. Natural and human triggered avalanches are quite certain.

Current snow depths in Hakuba (thanks to Snow Navi):

Happo-one 220cm
Tsugaike 285cm
Goryu 275cm
Hakuba 47 246cm
Iwatake 200cm
Norikura 180cm
Cortina 320cm
Kashimayari 190cm

Hakuba Snow Report: Colder start to the day

hakuba guy — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 08:39:10 +0000

Not much snow to speak of, maybe 10cm or so, but the weather has become colder again so that is one positive. It was -10℃ when it dawned at Tsugaike this morning. Hopefully will bring snow forth tonight or tomorrow. In the meantime it’s been pretty foggy with the runs mostly fogged over and limited visibility.

Once again avalanche danger is high with some recent incidents (one serious) so please be very careful out there. Check the Hakuba Avalanche advisory before heading out into the backcountry.

Some fairly spectacular fireworks last night over on Goryu

Tsugaike Heli Ski and Snowboard Tours opened this weekend and will be offered until May 6. The cost is 10,000 yen for adults and 9,000 yen for children. This was the view from the drop off point this morning.

Current snow depths in Hakuba (thanks to Snow Navi):

Happo-one 180cm
Tsugaike 250cm
Goryu 255cm
Hakuba 47 249cm
Iwatake 180cm
Norikura 160cm
Cortina 320cm
Kashimayari 150cm

Hakuba Snow Report: A murky day here

hakuba guy — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 05:27:04 +0000

Feels as if it’s spring already in Hakuba. The sky is overcast, starting the day early with only thin clouds but becoming thicker and murkier as the day goes on. Warm at the bottom of the slopes (2.0℃) and a little bit colder up top (-3.6℃). Not too much new snow to speak of in most resorts although some is currently falling in Goryu. Rain falling at Happo and 47 but snowing higher up the slopes.

Some notes:

It’s the third day of Japan National Ski Technical Competition at Hakuba Happo resort which will continue over the weekend.

The Tsugaike Ropeway will start its spring operation tomorrow (March 10). Climbing notices will need to be filled out and handed in. Helicopter Ski & Snowboard tours in Tusugaike also start tomorrow.

Current snow depths in Hakuba (thanks to Snow Navi):

Happo-one 170cm
Tsugaike 235cm
Goryu 250cm
Hakuba 47 249cm
Iwatake 160cm
Norikura 160cm
Cortina 310cm
Kashimayari 140cm

Hakuba Snow Report: Rainy start on the mountain

hakuba guy — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 03:24:43 +0000

It was raining this morning in Hakuba with fog blanketing the top half of ski area. At Tsugaike it was so thick that the flood lights were turned on. By later this morning it had started to clear and the sun was coming out. Getting quite warm too. The snow today is groomed and packed, quite heavy and challenging in some areas.

Nice shot this morning from Tsugaike Kogen.

This is the scene looking out from Cortina. Be careful with the avalanche risk though!

Current snow depths in Hakuba (thanks to Snow Navi):

Happo-one 180cm
Tsugaike 240cm
Goryu 260cm
Hakuba 47 249cm
Iwatake 185cm
Norikura 170cm
Cortina 327cm
Kashimayari 145cm