 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I’ll be on Hokkaido for the last 3 weeks of Feb, and I’d like lots of snow, apart from one day when the plan is to skin up mount Yotei, so blue sky on that day please 
Last year the standard phone apps seemed to give as good or better forecasts than the dedicated websites.
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@extremerob, Interesting, thanks.
Warmer than average expected temperatures makes a good case for heading to Hokkaido rather than Honshu this winter.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Soooo, in Japan they have stupid people as well (those that “predict” what the winter be like in the long term).
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| PowderAdict wrote: |
| Last year the standard phone apps seemed to give as good or better forecasts than the dedicated websites. |
It's pretty easy when the forecast is snow 24/7 
Yes agree with you the phone apps aren't too bad at all - big fan of dark sky
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| mooney058 wrote: |
Soooo, in Japan they have stupid people as well (those that “predict” what the winter be like in the long term). |
It's not just guesswork...
The winter weather in Japan is affected by ENSO, the changing sea surface temperature of the tropical Pacific. This winter looks likely to be a neutral or weak El Nino winter, pointing towards average or warmer than average temperatures for Japan.
Diagram for affects of El Nino:
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It's started snowing in SW Hokkaido.
It will rain this coming week, then snow again.
There'll most probably be one or two more rain events before the anticipated Opening Days at the end of the month.
Some time in December the tap will be turned on and it will snow at some stage almost every day between that point and the end of January.
If you're visiting Hokkaido this winter and just plan on skiing one resort / area then you will either have the conditions of your life or return home wondering what all the fuss is about. Or something in-between.
If you're prepared to travel to a different resort from your accommodation base - no more than 1hr - then you will experience the best conditions during your stay.
Weather and snowfall can be VERY localised.
At least that's been my experience since December 2006.
Enjoy.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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KenX, my OH and I and maybe a Frenchie will be based in Hirafu Niseko for three or so days ski touring from Monday Feb 10th I think, we then leave Hirafu for Furano.
We are with a guided operation and will be doing Mont Yoti as well as other touring / slack country in the area.
So if you like the idea of touring etc then PM me as we could accommodate a couple of others in our group
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Season so far has been a disaster for Japan.
Warm, rain, no snow.
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| Whitegold wrote: |
Season so far has been a disaster for Japan.
Warm, rain, no snow. |
The season is just about to start. How come it is already a disaster?
Your meds stopped working?
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You know it makes sense.
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@Whitegold, What? This is totally inaccurate... 
Niseko has had 176cm snowfall so far this season (going by the snowjapan.com reports). Furano has had 128cm.
Looking at the records from previous seasons, it seems fairly normal.
Mid-Honshu (Nagano area etc) has been lacking snow so far - but the season doesn't usually take off this early.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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The middle part of Niseko mountain was closed today due to lack of snow.
It looks like the last significant snowfall was 10 days ago, and it rained heavily last night. 
I wonder how unusual this is? The forecast does look a lot better for the remainder of December.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Looks like a very poor start to the season so far. Mike's photo evidence from 8th Dec could be countered by some depressing looking webcam photos today. Unfortunately the cumulative snowfall totals mean very little when a big wave of rain rolls in and wipes much of it out. My experience is a few years old, but generally by now you'd expect a deeper base and more regular snow.
However, the good news for Japan is that it doesn't take much for things to turn around, very quickly. The forecast looks much better from now.
The sassa will take a bit longer to be buried this winter, which can make picking lines through the trees a bit interesting. It'll happen soon enough though.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Wed 18-12-19 18:14; edited 1 time in total
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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My first, and like most people my bucket list trip, to Niseko is booked arriving 4th Jan, as usual I seem to be a curse snow wise.
Should I be having sleepless nights wondering if I am going to turn up at the powder capital to no powder??
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Well it's certainly gone a bit funky in the past 10 days 8(
But as mentioned above it can turn on a sixpence. Both ways.
I'm planning on flying in on the 29th or 30th.
It'll be smiles for miles from then onwards 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Mike Pow, you always seem to time it very nicely, so I'm sure your luck will continue!
@scoman, as long has Mike has arrived, you'll be golden. Sleep well!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@scoman, I'm no expert, but I was there last year. Looking at snow forecast is quite a good way for judging if it's going to snow, and if it's going to be cold enough. The numbers seem relatively arbitrary and most of the times underestimates the snowfall. Looks like snow for five out of the six forecast days and cold enough.
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Thanks for the replies. "The numbers seem relatively arbitrary and most of the times underestimates the snowfall" sounds like info other regulars to Niseko have said to me so fingers crossed. Also snowfall can be localised, as we have transport will travel to best conditions.
I was looking at historical snowfall last night but cannot find the website whilst at work, will post later. Snowfall didn't look "too" bad compared to recent years though doesn't take into account the rain affected loss.
Liking MagSeven theory, on that basis I will rest easy.
Read a post from Niseko resort saying long term forecast for end of December and Jan is looking good, fingers crossed.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Sapporo: -5C at 16:00. ice & snow on the city's streets, people slipping, cars sliding. About 5cm overnight
I skied Teine yesterday....another metre or two would be welcome. Olympic pride(?) means only natural snow on T.....I wonder when they will start making it. Icy bumps on the right side of the Ladies GS course (left side closed, no snow) made the tour groups up from Tokyo very unhappy. There was some powder up on top and the kids had fun under the lift until they had to negotiate a stream at the bottom of the run.....the lifties quite rightly turned their backs to them!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Mike Pow, link didn’t work? Hoping for a Feb trip...
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| BobinCH wrote: |
| @Mike Pow, link didn’t work? Hoping for a Feb trip... |
Updated
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You know it makes sense.
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Link works but account is private
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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Given the lack of snow today's conditions on Mt Isola and East Mtn Rusutsu were very good. Pisteurs have done a great job.
10cm on top of hard pack.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@musehead, Thanks for the updates. Skied Kiroro yesterday. Reasonabe cover, like Rusutsu the pisteurs have been doing a good job. Was glad I had my rock-hoppers as the runs from Asari Peak were scratchy. There was powder to be found however, at times shin high, and the sides of the main runs were fun. Ski Patrol working hard too stopping people without off-piste equipment from entering the gate at Asari Peak.
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Back to Rusutsu today with much improved conditions, so much that the car park was full of Niseko vans and many of the people I shared lifts with had come to escape the Hirafu crowds. The extra 20cm in places allowed more traffic in the trees. No lift lines.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Makkari- onsen will be packed in the late afternoon. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Fortunately I go straight through Kimobetsu and head for Nakayama Pass......and then one of Sapporo's onsen 
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Happy New Year
Big change overnight.
It was knee deep with face shots at Kiroro today.
Good storm cycle in play with low temps and plenty of snow forecast over the coming week.
Cracking first day.
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Looks like it was the first big snowfall of the season in Hokkaido yesterday/today, and temperatures remaining well below 0C.
Kiroro: 40-50cm
Rusutsu: 40cm
Sapporo Kokusai: 40cm
Sapporo Teine: 10cm
Furano: 40cm
Interesting the large difference between Kokusai and Teine. The distance between them in a straight line is only 10km.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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yup, Teine is facing Ishikari on the Japan Sea and receives a lot of wind from there......Kokusai is more inland
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Hey, anyone know how northern Honshu (Akita/Tohoku sort of area) are looking atm?
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FAQ
