Asia Weekly Roundup #266

Mt. Fuji Sees Longest Snowless Stretch in 135 Years

• Warm temperatures, heavy rain, and a typhoon have temporarily halted operations at Japan's Yeti ski area near Mt. Fuji, challenging even all-weather snowmaking.
• Mt. Fuji’s snowless stretch is now the longest in 135 years, complicating early-season skiing efforts.
• Colder, snowier conditions are forecast for Hokkaido, with hopes for more snow at all elevations by week’s end.

JAPAN REPORT

After the season got underway at the Yeti ski area last week, things unfortunately took a turn for the worse with warm temperatures, heavy rain and eventually typhoon conditions leading to the small ski areas in the shadow of Mt Fuji repeatedly cancelling the next day’s operations and eventually suspending operations for the time being. It seems that even all-weather snowmaking can’t beat warm and wet weather sometimes. This probably ties in with the fact that Mt Fuji has been snowless now for the longest period in 135 years. Other areas a little further north also using all-weather snowmaking have opened though with Nozawa Onsen opening a short run at the weekend. However, it will still be the end of the month when most of Japan’s big name ski areas will begin opening.

JAPAN FORECAST

It’s looking like it could be quite a snowy rest of the week in Hokkaido with temperatures dipping and plenty of precipitation forecast, hopefully delivering snow at all elevations to give an early wintery feel.