Earthquake Off the West Coast of Japan Shocks Hakuba Ski Areas Reported January 1, 2024 At 4:10PM local time January 1, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit Noto in the Ishikawa Prefecture of Japan. Tsunami warnings are in effect for Niigata with the swell expected to be over 10ft. This coastal region directly includes the route between Hakuba and Lotte Arai. Two ski resorts frequented by Americans on the Epic and IKON pass […] Weather Brett Ploss | January 1, 2024 0 Comments
Niseko Hanazono, Japan, Report: Light Snow Overnight, Holiday Crowds Arrive Report from December 31, 2023 I looked out my window this morning to finally see snow coming down. Typically a usual sight in Niseko, but any trace has been absent the past few days. Being New Year’s Eve, the crowds came. Lines aren’t often found in Japan, but since Niseko is rated as the #1 resort in the country, people […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | December 31, 2023 0 Comments
Niseko, Japan, Report: Softer Snow with More on the Way Report from December 30, 2023 Drove over to Niseko Grand Hirafu this morning. The snow was better than at Annupuri due to having less sun exposure. Niseko United is the umbrella that combines four ski resorts which are inter-connected by lifts and all available on the IKON pass. From left to right in the above trail map are Annupuri, Niseko […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | December 31, 2023 0 Comments
5 Reasons Why Japan Has Such Low Avalanche Danger ‘JAPOW’ – who has not heard of the famous Japanese powder? If you have been lucky enough to ski in Japan, you are probably smiling just thinking about it. And if you haven’t, you are probably hoping to one day go for some unparalleled powder turns. Niseko has an average snowfall of 590 in (15m) and Kiroro a staggering 826 in […] Avalanche Julia Schneemann | December 16, 2023 0 Comments
evo Expands Footprint in Japan with Acquisition of Bergland Hotel in Hakuba evo Hotel Hakuba Transformation and Rebrand Planned for Winter 2024-25 evo, the outdoor retail and experiences company, today announced the opening of their second evo Hotel. evo Hotel Hakuba follows the company’s first traditional hotel offering, evo Hotel Salt Lake, which debuted in 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Related: Why Hakuba Valley, Japan Is The Real Deal For An […] Industry News SnowBrains | November 21, 2023 0 Comments
Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort in Nagano, Japan, Opening This Weekend The Yokoteyama ski area, part of the interconnected Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort near Nagano, Japan, has announced its official opening day. Yokoteyama will have a ‘pre-open’ for this weekend on November 18 and 19, 2023, then will shut for a couple of days before officially re-opening for the season on November 23, 2023. Shiga Kogen is in Yamanouchi in […] Industry News Mike Humphrey | November 17, 2023 0 Comments
Karuizawa Nagano, Japan, Report: Manmade Snow and Smiles Report from Wednesday, November 5, 2023 Last week, my feed started blowing up about ski resorts opening in Japan. While I couldn’t make it to Fujiyama Snow Sports Yeti (the four-hour drive is a little too far for me, no matter how ski-crazed I may be), when I heard that Karuizawa Nagano was open, I decided it was time to […] Conditions Report Mike Humphrey | November 14, 2023 0 Comments
Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti First to Open in Japan For 25th Consecutive Year On October 20, 2023, Japan kicked off its winter season. Continuing its 25-year-long streak, Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti was the first ski resort to open in Japan. The resort’s early start is no accident. The management team prides itself on its snowmaking ability. Each year, to retain its crown, the resort blows just enough snow to make a single […] Industry News Mike Humphrey | October 30, 2023 0 Comments
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