Japanese Ski Areas See 5m+ Bases After Huge Snowfalls

Base depths at some Japanese ski areas have topped the 5m (17 feet) mark after a week of huge snowfalls in the country’s mountains.

The heaviest snowfalls and deepest snow have been reported in Niigata Prefecture where Charmant Hiuchi Ski Area near Itoigawa City has reached a 550 cm (18 feet) base after reporting 70cm of snowfall in the last 24 hours.

Arai ski resort near Myoko is posting the world’s deepest snow at 5.9 metres (20 feet) and says it had 90cm (three feet) of snowfall in the past 24 hours.

That’s almost double the deepest snow depths currently being reported in Europe and North America.

The snow depth numbers and deep powder quality are good across Japan though and earning rave reviews.

“It could be the best day of the season maybe the best ski day you have ever had!” a spokesperson for Nozawa Onsen in Nagano prefecture enthused as he previewed today’s conditions this morning, adding, “Yesterday was an absolute dream on the slopes, with countless riders coming down the mountain beaming with excitement. Beginners actually struggled a bit as there was too much powder. For most however with these epic conditions set to stick around for another week, the stoke is high!"