4 Season Outdoor Adventure Guides in Hakuba Japan

Sat 13th Mar

dubmaster dave — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 01:20:10 +0000

Weather conditions:	Overcast with light rain
New snowfall:	0 cm
Snow depth:	305 cm (Goryu top)
It is currently raining lightly here in Hakuba under cloudy skies. The rain started late last night and is expected to continue throughout the day and then turn to snow overnight. With higher mountain temperatures still below freezing, the rain should be falling as snow at elevations above 1800m. Conditions on the resorts today will be quite heavy wet snow (which was once powder) groomers, packed powder and crud. Expect to see some glide cracks in the snow where the added weight of the rain on the snow make cracks appear in steeper terrain and convex rolls. Wear a good rain jacket and enjoy the probably uncrowded slopes! The rain was somewhat expected today, however we are looking forward to Sunday which looks like another nice sunny day! Soft slushy snow will be the norm for awhile until we get another dump (fingers crossed).

Fri 12 Mar

dubmaster dave — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:21:04 +0000

Weather conditions:	clear and sunny
New snowfall:	0 cm
Snow depth:	305 cm (Goryu top)
Hakuba is bluebird today! Not a cloud in the sky and the nice white Hakuba peaks clearly visible. Lots of sunshine expected today so the slopes will definitely be softening up. First thing in the morning you can still expect to find some remnants of the powder of 2 days ago, however the warming trend will make that powder heavy and wet pretty quick. Also the wetter snow from yesterday will still be hard and icy until 11AM or so. As forecasted the clear skies should remain all day, turning to clouds and possible light rain tomorrow. So get out there today to make the most of the views and good snow. AVALANCHE BULLETIN: Alpine: HIGH Tree Line: HIGH Below Tree Line: Considerable The accumulation of the past 3 days of snow atop an unstable melt/freeze and rain crust are creating instability in almost all aspects. Steeper unsupported terrain, around rocks and outcroppings and convex rolls are likely spots to see avalanche activity. Combine this current layer and add in high solar radiation and the risks of a slide will increase. Expect sluffing and sluffing propagating to avalanches in steeper terrain. Expect more avalanche activity on south facing solar radiated slopes.

Thu 11 Mar

dubmaster dave — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:20:40 +0000

Weather conditions:	partly cloudy
New snowfall:	15 cm
Snow depth:	305 cm (Goryu top)
An epic morning today on the slopes in Hakuba with fresh powder to play in! Reports from this morning were of some faceshots even and hardly anyone out there riding it so great timing for those lucky enough. Over the past 48 hrs Hakuba has received approximately 30-40cms and the conditions are back to winter mode here in the village. Generally wetter snow and warmer temperatures at the base of the resorts so no light dry powder down here. However, nice soft snow and good runs on all aspects today. The forecast was calling for light snow throughout today, however it looks more like sunny patches and some clouds rolling in this afternoon. Looking at the latest forecasts, Friday is supposed to be clearing up with sun all day, so get out the sun glasses and enjoy some good early spring skiing.

Wed 10 Mar

dubmaster dave — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:41:12 +0000

Weather conditions:	Moderate Snow
New snowfall:	25 cm
Snow depth:	290 cm (Goryu top)
Snow starting falling and picked up to fall steadily through the day and night and left us with around 25cms of new snow this morning. A little heavy in the village with a lot of whumphing off of rooves early in the AM but a bit drier up top and who would complain this time of year anyway? Much better than rain and also this snow will pack down, tidy up the runs and help fill in gaps left by the rainfall of late. It’s still snowing but has warmed up a bit in the village and so not accumulating so much anymore. Temps should drop a bit in the afternoon and snow is forecast to pick up a little overnight, halt tomorrow in the morning and the sun to show again. The BC will be nasty and travel into these areas is NOT recommended, resorts are quiet, enjoy it out there. Rain is back on the cards Sat, these could possibly be the last powder days of the season…

Tue 9 Mar

dubmaster dave — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:47:54 +0000

Weather conditions:	Overcast
New snowfall:	0 cm
Snow depth:	275 cm (Goryu top)
Powder lovers got a bit of a treat for as long as it lasted yesterday with a bit of fresh, some deep spots out there but it got smashed up pretty quick and was rough underfoot. Cloudy all day with the sun breaking through once or twice, even with that conditions were getting Springy at the lower half of the mountain with some iced out runs at the top. Visibility really went to the dogs for quite a while on the upper half of the mountain also. Cold temperatures overnight with no fresh snow, groomers will be fast but watch out for sheet ice patches that haven’t been broken up after the rains, visibility is not the best at altitude either. Snow forecast today, picking up from the afternoon, and through tomorrow clearing Thursday, the next couple of mornings should be worth getting up early for powder lovers depending on how fussy you got through Winter. Insects are flying around, birds are starting to chirp and there are animal tracks everywhere under lifts/in the forests etc. Wouldn’t be surprised to see warming from the weekend and any precipitation over the weekend to fall as rain. That said, rather than complaining about rain we should be thankful for any snow that falls from now and enjoying Spring.

Mon 8 Mar

dubmaster dave — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:47:34 +0000

Weather conditions:	Overcast
New snowfall:	5 cm
Snow depth:	210 cm (Goryu base) 280 cm (Goryu top)
Yesterday was an unexpectedly good day, the forecast had predicted snow, however, we received a lot more than we had first thought. A good 15~20cm fell overnight and throughout the day yesterday, it has eased up now and we can expect an overcast day with the possibility of light flurries. The temperature dropped a little further from yesterday, at the top of Goryu this morning it was -5 degrees and it will most lightly stay below 0 degrees for the rest of the day. There is the possibility that the sunshine will break through for a couple of hours later this afternoon, and then the snow clouds will be gathering round once again to bring us some more snow over the next couple of days. Today on the slopes you can expect some nice groomers this morning, with a thin layer of fresh snow on top. At the sides of the runs it might look nice however, be careful as it is still pretty hard and chopped up underneath that top layer. The best part of the day is definitely going to be the morning, as the day progresses the runs will becomes quite chopped up. Welcome back to winter!

Sun 7 Mar

dubmaster dave — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:47:16 +0000

Weather conditions:	Overcast & Light Snow
New snowfall:	10 cm
Snow depth:	210 cm (Goryu base) 280 cm (Goryu top)
The predictions were right! For a long time now people thought that another snow fall in Hakuba might just be a myth. Not anymore, we woke to not just a couple of cm’s but a whole 10cm of fresh this morning. The top of Goryu was a chilled -2 degrees which is not too bad, and it should warm up a bit throughout the day. However, the snow if forecast to continue all day as well and through to mid-week. A few days of low temperatures will keep the snow we receive nice and fresh, before it starts to warm up once again towards the end of the week. Lets hope we can get a fairly decent snowfall in the coming few days. There is not a lot of wind in Hakuba with light Southerlies but visibility is not the best at altitude this morning. Enjoy the new snow!

Sat 6 Mar

dubmaster dave — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:46:59 +0000

Weather conditions:	Overcast/Rain
New snowfall:	0 cm
Snow depth:	210 cm (Goryu base) 280 cm (Goryu top)
Could it be said this is the last day of rain for a while? Sure hope so. And it seems that way from weather forecasts with temperatures coming down and the rain in the valley forecast to be turning to snow overnight and flurries continuing through the week. The top of Goryu was a balmy 4 degrees this morning apparently with no fresh snow recorded but with precipitation forecast through the week its great the freezing level looks like it will be coming down enough for anything to fall as snow. There is not a lot of wind in Hakuba with light Southerlies but visibility is not the best at altitude this morning. So bit of a mixed bag today but good news with some new snow on the way and hopefully not long after that the sun comes out.

Fri 5 Mar

dubmaster dave — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:43:06 +0000

Weather conditions:	Bright/Cloudy
New snowfall:	0 cm
Snow depth:	215 cm (Goryu base) 285 cm (Goryu top)
Bright sunny morning today which was good to lift everyone’s spirits today after the heavy rain we had yesterday. The weather will be very warm today and the snow will be slow and slushy today, however, it is definitely a fun day to be on the slopes. At the top lift at Goryu it is recording a temperature of 0 degrees again today, therefore the lower slopes are going to soften up pretty quickly. The top temperature today could be as high as 9 degrees, so it’s more about the sunscreen today than the snow! Later on this afternoon the rain clouds will be coming in and we can expect light rain fall throughout the afternoon and evening. Next week is looking good and snow is forecast throughout the week with the heaviest snow fall expected around mid-week. Today on the slopes you can expect hard groomers this morning and soft spring like conditions as the day progresses. Once again probably best to get out early before stuff starts falling…

Thu 4 Mar

dubmaster dave — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:39:34 +0000

Weather conditions:	Cloudy
New snowfall:	0 cm
Snow depth:	215 cm (Goryu base) 285 cm (Goryu top)
Overcast, calm and warm morning today, with the sun trying it’s best to shine through, making it very bright out on the snow this morning. At the top lift today at Goryu it is recording a temperature of 0 degrees, therefore the lower slopes are going to soften up pretty quickly today. Later on this afternoon the rain clouds will be coming in and we can expect moderate rain fall throughout the afternoon and evening. The precipitation that is coming in over the weekend is going to start off as rain and will possibly turn into snow, but with the temperature as it is at the moment we will have to keep our fingers tightly crossed! More promise for later in the weekend and perhaps early in the week though. Today on the slopes you can expect hard groomers this morning and soft spring like conditions as the day progresses. Highly recommended to get out there early before the rain sets in.