The resorts are officially reporting 5-25 cm new snow adding a nice new layer to the slopes. Temperatures will range from -6 C to -12 C with a wind chill factor making is feel like -19 C at times. So, bundle up! Winds have picked up from yesterday and are a gentle breeze to 4m/s from the WNW. The freezing levels will stay low at sea level and so keeping the snow nice and dry.

Monday night the precipitation levels will increase as our next system moves in and Tuesday night is projected for the heaviest accumulation. Enjoy this little clearing patch before we get our next storm.

Again, with all this new snowfall avalanche conditions have been set at considerable below the treeline and high above the tree line. Do please remember to ride with care for yourself and others and also respect the resort rules and regulations.

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AVALANCHE INVOLVEMENT: Sadly one person dead due to being buried in a very large slab avalanche on an open south face just off the side of one of the Hakuba resorts. The man was wearing a beacon but his friends and other by-standers could not locate him in the immense amount of debris. His body was finally found by Search and Rescue workers at 17:00. It is suspected that avalanche sheared at the January 22nd sun crust and storm snow interface.

Use your head to make well informed decisions and be sure to carry all the proper safety and rescue gear if you are heading into off piste and backcountry areas. Stay to well supported and simple terrain away from steep and convex terrain to reduce hazard and injury.

It is currently snowing trace amounts and is expected to stay light until Monday when a new system follows up this big one we have just experienced with another big one.

Temperatures will stay low on the hills ranging from -6 C to – 11 C with a wind chill making it feel like -17 C. Winds will be breezy at 3m/s coming from the NW and NNW. The freezing level will remain at sea level keeping our conditions nice and wintery.

Today and tomorrow will maintain overcast skies with snow and perhaps even a small chance of some sun breaking through occasionally. Our next storm will be rolling in on Tuesday with a significant amount of precipitation expected through Thursday.

With all this new snowfall, avalanche conditions have been set at considerable below treeline and high above tree line. Please remember to ski and ride with care and respect the resort rules and regulations.

Snow blowers, bulldozers etc are out in full force around the village, and on the resorts there is nothing but powder and smiles – and the occasional skier hunting for a lost ski in the powder and snowboarder digging themselves out!

Snow continues to fall today and there’s nothing really but more snow on the forecast – it seems we’re finally getting our share of the heavy snow that has been bombarding the country through January.

The weekend actually looks like it might let up slightly though, perhaps not as full-on as today and we may even see some clear times. That looks like it will be followed by lots of snow on Monday and especially Tuesday-Wednesday – we’ll be here and no matter how it pans out we certainly won’t be complaining.

As per yesterdays notice though – take care out there.

Looks like it is going to be a very fine weekend ahead for those visiting Hakuba.

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Heavy Snow Warning: Otari ski fields have seen an accumulated 150cms over the past 72 hours.

Continued heavy snow fall is adding load to the recent storm snow that has started to slab and release from the buried sun crust of January 22nd on southern exposures. Loose slides are releasing on all aspects due to weak bonds with in the new snow. Take due caution travelling in avalanche terrain and in gullies where loose slides and sluff can accumulate to create deep burials. There are still a lot of creeks that have open holes that are definite hazards and terrain traps. Take care to avoid these areas or be on the look out for these holes.

Do not underestimate how rapidly the avalanche hazard will increase with continued rapid snowfall and increased winds.

Use your head and carry all the proper safety and rescue gear if you are heading into off piste areas. Stay to well supported and simple terrain to reduce hazard. Travel in Backcountry areas not recommended until conditions and recent storm snow settles.

ALPINE ZONE: HIGH HAZARD !! Stronger winds, colder temperatures and greater snow fall will all attribute to very unstable conditions. Watch out for avalanches from ALPINE ZONES travelling to the valley and into TREELINE and BELOW TREELINE ZONES.
TREELINE: CONSIDERABLE HAZARD !
BELOW TREELINE: CONSIDERABLE