Rittou is the first day of winter
The 7 November is named rittou (立冬) in Japanese and literally means the first day of winter and today there was a real chill in the air and frost on the ground. Rittou is the 20th special day based on...
View ArticleMt. Chisenupuri Route 66 – Before and After the Snow
Serious Snowfall More evidence of amazing snowfall we receive here in Niseko every year. Cycling along route 66 last week i happened to look up at a road sign and remembered taking a few shots on the...
View ArticleFirst Yotei Dusting For The 2012-2013 Season
It’s been quite cold during last week (especially the nights) compared to the unusually hot/humid September we’ve had. So it wasn’t a great surprise when I saw snow on Mt. Yotei, but trying to get a...
View ArticleThe Last Resort
After a huge season Nakayama-toge Ski Ground the last resort to remain open in Hokkaido finally closed for the season yesterday. Nakayama-toge literally means mountain pass and is located approximately...
View ArticleFirst Snowfall on Mt Yotei for the 2014 Season
Overnight Mt.Yotei was dusted in a light covering of snow for the first time this autumn in the lead up to the 2014 winter season! *click on the images to view them at a larger size. Last night the...
View ArticleAnother January In Niseko
No one likes that guy who talks about the weather, but it’s unavoidable in a ski town. January has been phenomenal, with nearly 300cm of accumulated snowfall in just 12 days – yes, if you do the maths...
View ArticleMagic Morning
There wasn’t a huge amount of fresh snow in the village this morning (15.5cm – see snow report here) and peak gates weren’t set to open, so hopes weren’t high for today. Well, there was plenty of snow...
View ArticleHiking Mount Yotei
I heard a guide once mention the following; ‘you don’t climb Yotei for the snowboarding’. There is also a famous Japanese saying; ‘you are wise to climb Mount Fuji once, and foolish to climb it twice’....
View ArticleEnd of the 2014 Season is Upon Us
As is the cycle of life, all things must come to an end – skiing and snowboarding in Niseko included. Niseko Village and Hanazono will officially cease operations for the 2013/2014 season on Sunday...
View Article2014 First Snow In Hirafu Contest
The Kutchannel has opened up submissions for the 2014 First Snow In Hirafu Contest. This is the 7th year the contest has been running. Give it a shot and see if you enter the ranks of Grand Snow...
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