Asia Weekly Roundup #271
(Updated 11 December 2024) A comprehensive review of snow conditions, weather, and updates for Asia's winter sports destinations.
Nozawa Onsen’s First Resort-Level Snowfall Marks Promising Start to Winter
- Most of Japan's larger ski resorts are now open, offering limited but gradually expanding terrain as daily snowfall boosts snowpack.
- Resorts like Furano and Appi Kogen have begun operations, while Hakuba47 boasts top-to-bottom terrain and Nozawa Onsen sees its first significant low-level snow coverage.
- The forecast predicts steady snowfall through the weekend, with temperatures ranging from -10°C to +5°C and daily snow accumulations of 5-10 cm (2-4 inches).
JAPAN REPORT
Most of Japan's larger resorts have now opened, although initially with only very limited terrain prepared. Most have seen more days of snowfall, with typically light to moderate fresh addition to the snowpack every 24 hours, gradually building depths and adding fresh powder each morning, with temperatures generally remaining below freezing. Furano (20/55cm / 8/22") is one of the latest to open with a couple of kilometres of slopes open initially. Appi Kogen also got its season underway at the weekend and Hakuba47 reported it had top-to-bottom terrain available already. There have been more snowfalls, heavy at times, with Nozawa Onsen (10/60cm / 4/24") reporting its first significant covering of the season down at the resort level.
JAPAN FORECAST
It's pretty much a constant snow forecast into the weekend, temperatures in the -10 to +5C range, and daily accumulations of 5-10cm (2-4 inches) most days.
