JAPAN SNOW WRAP – Winter Is Still Kicking

A picture perfect bluebird day in Hakuba– March 4 Image:: Phoenix Hakuba

Japan Snow Wrap

Well it is becoming apparent that Japan just doesn’t want to farewell winter just yet. The last 24 hours have seen 15-20 cm fall from the base to the peak up in Niseko. Hakuba also received a fresh top up of snow last night with about 5 cm falling around the peaks.

This pattern isn’t expected to continue as temperatures rise considerably over the next few weeks. Looking back and reflecting on this winter it certainly was an epic one in Japan. There were smiles for miles for anyone who made the trip and no doubt people will remember those face shots for a while, get out there and make of the most of it while you still can!

Conditions over the last few weeks have been fairly typical of March in Hokkaido with a mixture of storms and fine breaks, temperatures have been remaining fairly cold although when the sun does come out the temperature does rise leading to warmer temps and a deteriorating snow pack.*

Cumulative snowfall in Niseko has reached over 20 m at the top station, this is 5 m more then the average 15 m! Now sporting a base of over 500 cm I would imagine that those in the area will be skiing some quality spring snow for a while longer once temperatures do finally warm up.

Much the same as up north, Hakuba has been experiencing a more snow favoured spring weather pattern than in previous years. Regular snowfalls have been interspersed with sunny high pressure periods making for some epic conditions. The big drawcard for spring in Hakuba is these periods of stable weather that you just don’t get any other time of the year, for those ready to head into the backcountry this is the time of the season that is the most enjoyable, enabling access to high alpine zones that are a little sketchier during the relentless snow storms of winter.

As Hakuba is located further south it is beginning to experience large variations in temperature from night to day, the diurnal variation just yesterday was ~ 15 degrees, this is going to begin to deteriorate snow conditions considerably so watch out for changing snow conditions in the backcountry and beyond resort boundaries.

In The Forecast

Hakuba:
Some insignificant snowfalls likely over the next 7-days, only 2-5 cm at a time. Huge variations in temperature from max to min, so expect quite a bit of snowmelt to occur at low elevations. Windspeeds are mostly calm with an increase likely from Tuesday where they will peak at 37km/h from the SW.

Niseko:
Cold temperatures and dry snow on the way for Niseko over the next 4-days with the freezing level remaining in the valley, with about 27 cm tipped to fall there will be some great days skiing to be had. A slight sunny break on Wednesday accompanied by a spike in temperatures, there will be some moisture about later in the day bringing the possibility of a little rain.

February delivered some epic days in Hakuba, Skiing with Steve Lee can show where to head to find the best of it Image:: Skiing With Steve Lee

The best spot to head when the snow is fresh in Niseko is the backcountry gates, here a shredder monos through some pow Image:: 360 Niseko

With a snowpack like this in March you would be forgiven for thinking we are still in the depths of winter Image:: SkiJapan.com

The village in Hirafu still looking white in March Image:: SkiJapan.com

The best part of spring in Hakuba is how quiet it is, no crowds at Hakuba 47 Image:: Hakuba 47

Hakuba forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Niseko forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.