What can I say? :)

Yesterday was one of those very special days in late season when we get a lot of new snow and snow conditions are set back to peak season. I have even heard some people say it was one of the best days of the season. Whether it was that good or not, I'll leave it up to the discussions but it sure was an excellent day on the slopes of Hakuba and Otari. Those lucky enough to have timed their trips for a day yesterday - and indeed today - will be leaving with big smiles and some very fine memories.

There was so much (somewhat unexpected) heavy snowfall that things like Hakuba 47's park being closed happened.

So lots of fresh snow to play in and it was great light snow too.

By the end of lifts yesterday it ended up being just cloudy - with a bit more snow reported at some resorts up top overnight - but this morning the clouds have moved and it is clear, bright, blue and sunny out there. Just some small wispy clouds on the tops of some of the mountains. Not much of a wind at all, a temperature of -2 degrees in village but that will likely rise to around +5 degrees later in the day. Maybe a bit of snow tomorrow and then warmer temperatures late in the week. But... get this... snow may well be with us next weekend once again and potentially more decent snowfall. We'll just have to see about that but for now there are some fine, fine conditions to enjoy.

Marvellous.

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Avalanche danger is moderate around tree line and considerable on alpine level. Its is beautiful calm day and I think most of the area is stable enough, but like I said, be careful with those wind slabs on north side. Plus, because of this radiation, snow stability will change quickly and dramatically in some spots. Look where you take turns, and think what's the exposure related to sun light from this morning.

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Official snow depths and operations @ Tuesday 27th March 2012 AM:

Hakuba Goryu:
Goryu reporting another 10cm of new snowfall on the upper slopes and just a dusting down below. All lifts apart from No2 and No4 pairs operating.
Official snow depths:
Alps daira - 285cm;
Toomi - 150cm;
Iimori - 120cm

Hakuba 47:
47 reporting 2cm of new snowfall on upper slopes this morning. All lifts apart from Line D operating.
Official snow depth:
Upper - 280cm
Lower - 165cm

Happo-one:
All lifts apart from Usagidaira pair, Happo No1, Nakiyama No2, Central Pair, Shirakaba No1 and No2 and Sakka No3 open. All course areas still accessible.
Official snow depth:
Usagidaira - 260cm;
Sakka - 90cm;
Nakiyama - 90cm.

Tsugaike Kogen:
Official snow depth:
Upper slopes - 320cm
Champion - 240cm

Hakuba Cortina:
All planned lifts and courses part open. No2 and No4 lifts remain operating and some courses open.
Official snow depth:
Upper - 380cm
Lower - 250cm

Hakuba Norikura:
Official snow depth:
170cm

Hakuba Iwatake:
Village Side (lower slopes) plan to be open until 1st April (upper slopes open well beyond that date).
Official snow depth:
Upper - 220cm
Lower - 95cm

Hakuba Sanosaka:
135cm

Hakuba Minekata:
Now closed for the season