Europe is not alone in experiencing dream snow dumps this season. Our Japanese friends have reported incredible dumps in some of the ski areas up in the north of the country.
The effects of El Nino on Japan this year are clear to be seen with snowfall reaching levels of 4 meters, a level not seen since the winter of 2011/2012.
The famous ski area on Japan’s northerly island of Hokkaido has had 60cm (two feet) of snow in the last 48 hours and nearly 1.2m (four feet) in the last seven days. December snowfall totals are already at 238cm (nearly eight feet) and season to date at 4.3m (over 14 feet).
Turns we've been having here in Hokkaido #japan #backcountry #ski #guide #Hokkaidopowderguides pic.twitter.com/p67aY3S38A
— HPG (@BCHokkaido) December 20, 2017
The biggest 24hr accumulation has been in the resort of Niseko with the last 4 -5 weeks recording 650cm on the upper mountain and 573cm at base.
This weekend the sun is due to peak out over the pistes so snow lovers are being advised to check avalanche reports before bringing out their fattest skis and powder boards.
