Happy New Year.

Here we go 2021. We're all rooting for a good one.

The year starts as it ends... with snow.

The most being reported this morning is from the Usagidaira area of Happo-one - they are reporting 50cm. 47 are reporting 25-40cm. Cortina are reporting 30cm. Ski areas are working hard to deal with all the fresh from the last few days and there are likely some delays this morning. Looks like the Riesen Grat course and Grat quad will be closed at Happo-one today.

We really couldn't be asking for much more in terms of snow at the moment and for that we are surely thankful.

Forecasts tell us to expect snow today and tomorrow with things easing off around Sunday.

Take care out there.

Individual ski area data: Friday 1st January 2021

All ski areas in the region are now open. The below information is checked from official sources and manually adjusted each morning.

Hakuba Happo-one
Reported snowfall:
- Kurobishi: 40cm
- Usagidaira: 50cm
- Nakiyama: 20cm
Official snow depth:
- Kurobishi: 250cm
- Usagidaira: 185cm
- Nakiyama: 70cm

Hakuba 47
Reported snowfall:
- Summit: 40cm
- Base: 25cm
Official snow depth:
- Top: 250cm
- Base: 140cm

Hakuba Goryu
Reported snowfall:
- Iimori: 20cm
Official snow depth:
- Alps: ?cm
- Toomi: ?cm
- Iimori: 80cm

Hakuba Cortina
Reported snowfall:
- Summit: 30cm
- Base: 30cm
Official snow depth:
- Top: 230cm
- Base: 150cm

Tsugaike Kogen
Official snow depth:
- Top: 230cm
- Base: 100cm

Hakuba Iwatake
Official snow depth:
- Top: 160cm
- Base: 70cm

Kashimayari
Official snow depth:
- 210cm

Sanosaka
Official snow depth:
- Top: 170cm
- Base: 100cm

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The 'total snowfall accumulation' data shown in the table on this page (above) is the total amount of snowfall that the ski areas have themselves reported from the on the upper areas of their resort since the beginning of the season. We manually check and update this official data just before we publish each Hakuba Now report. Any odd-looking numbers are due to the source data. We have no control over the data. Just to be extra clear, unlike our own ‘observed snowfall’ data from base that we show at the top of each report, the data in the table is not an independent observation by SnowJapan.

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Photos (below):

- Hakuba Happo-one
- Hakuba Happo-one
- Hakuba 47
- Hakuba Iwatake
- Hakuba Goryu (upper)

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New Year message from SnowJapan

The 2020-2021 winter season seems to have got off to a good start in many mountainous regions of Japan, with some areas enjoying some very heavy snowfalls. That is of course very encouraging to see. Even if you are having to look on from afar, we’re sure you will be glad to see a return to a more ‘normal’ pattern to the snowfall this winter.

So 2020 is now behind us and we surely all hope that 2021 will be an all-round better year for everyone.

If you are unable to be here...

We miss you and are sorry that you can’t be here, but hope that you will be able to visit Japan in the not too distant future; and that 2021-2022 season will be open for everyone to enjoy.

If you are here...

Let’s all keep doing everything we can as individuals to try and keep the current situation under control. Ski areas around the country are doing their best to encourage visitors to wear face coverings, keep distance and minimise contact with guests outside their own group. Helping out in that way is surely a very small price to pay to get to enjoy the snow.

One thing we have noticed this season is people mentioning how they are appreciating everything that extra bit more this year. Being thankful for the good things can’t be a bad thing.

We will continue to do what we can to remain positive and genki as we cover this season.

Wherever you are right now, stay safe, stay strong and take care.

SnowJapan wishes you all the best for 2021.