Our long-time Japan correspondent Patrick reports back with a brief report on the conditions. At the PowderGuide Headquarters, we are now considering whether we should start a competition on the topic 'Where is the snow situation the worst'. Who would like to throw more title candidates into the ring?
It was bound to happen - Japan and almost no snow:
A few days ago, I started my 9th season in Japan. Admittedly it's still early and it often starts snowing heavily here from mid-December, but it's still a bit lacking. I've been sliding around on the slopes for the last 4 days, probably more than in the last 8 years. There's nothing in the valley, nothing at all. Some areas were able to open the top lifts and the slopes are quite good. There is hardly anything off-piste. As Hakuba is a tropical rainforest in summer, there are bushes everywhere, making it almost impossible to ski. Cortina and others even have to postpone the start of the season. Tomorrow it is supposed to continue with continuous rain up to 3500 (ski area goes up to 1800m) and then on and on. With a bit of luck, there will be some snow in a week's time. With sushi, beer and onsen, we won't be bored for the time being and I'll probably be able to work on my cooking skills.
