|
22nd March
2013 |
It has been a similar story this
last week again with generally warm, spring
conditions in the valley and on the slopes.
We did get some fresh snowfall Wednesday night
into Thursday, bringing up to 10cm of snow in
some places, but today it is another fine and
sunny day and temperatures rising to over 10
degrees.
It looks like the weekend
should be generally fine as well, perhaps not as
warm as today. |
|
|
15th March
2013 |
It's been another week of
generally warm conditions since last weekend
when we did indeed experience some rather
strange weather on Sunday - thunder and
lightning, rain and wind. Not the best day
to be out on the slopes and I think some people
will have enjoyed some nice onsen.
It's a beautiful day here in
Otari today, with a high of around 9 degrees at
base. Tomorrow promises more of the same,
hope you have a good weekend. |
|
|
8th March
2013 |
Rain today I'm afraid as spring
seems to take more of a hold on proceedings here
in northern Nagano. Tonight looks set to
be really warm and will remain well above zero.
A chance of stronger winds tomorrow on the
mountain but it should be generally fine
weather. Sunday is looking like it might
bring some more extreme conditions with some
forecasts even telling us to expect some
thunderstorms. |
|
|
1st March
2013 |
Things are gradually warming up
as March arrives and the word 'spring' is being
uttered more. This morning it is cloudy
and warm, and unfortunately rain is likely
today. Maybe some snowfall over the
weekend and then a spring warming pattern is due
next week. |
|
|
22nd February
2013 |
Some regular snowfalls earlier in
the week but a bit clearer yesterday and today.
Lots of snow is likely though overnight and into
tomorrow along with strong winds that may very
well affect the lift operations at resorts in
the valley. Snowfall is likely through the
weekend, with conditions likely to clear up
early in the week. |
|
|
14th February
2013 |
Last weekend was indeed very busy
with lots of people arriving in Otari to enjoy a
break from work on the snow. We have had
some more consistent snowfall since my last
report. A cloudy start to the day but we are
probably due some more snow before the coming
weekend. |
|
|
8th February
2013 |
Some good snowfall yesterday
around the village and on the mountains meaning
some really good conditions on the slopes of the
resorts around Otari. Monday is a national
holiday in Japan and so we are about to enter a
three day weekend. Traditionally this is
one of the busiest weekends of the ski season
and so you can expect places to be busy.
Hopefully enough good snow conditions for
everyone to enjoy. Have fun. |
|
|
1st February
2013 |
It has been something of a 'dry'
week in terms of snow since last weekend with
not much to talk of apart from higher up in the
mountains. It is also unseasonably warm at
the moment and looks like that will continue
into tomorrow but hopefully we'll be back to
cold by late Sunday. |
|
|
25th January
2013 |
Heavy snow conditions in Otari
this morning. Up to half a meter of new
snowfall since yesterday evening in some places,
making for some very refreshed conditions!
Winds are with us as well, and with similar
conditions likely over the weekend there is a
good chance that ski lifts will be affected.
Somewhat calmer conditions are likely come
Sunday. |
|
|
18th January
2013 |
Some heavy snowfall since the
last report in the region. The resorts in
Otari have been on the receiving end of regular
large amounts of fresh snowfall.
Conditions on the slopes for the
coming weekend should be excellent. |
|
|
14th January
2013 |
Heavy snowfall in the Kanto
region has really affected transportation today
with people leaving the region after the long
weekend (today is a national holiday in Japan).
While we are used to a lot of snow in Otari,
people in Tokyo and surrounding areas are much
less so. Gambatte kudasai! |
|
|
6th January
2013 |
Welcome to 2013 and Happy New
Year from Otari. We have
had some good snowfalls since the new year,
mostly up on the mountains rather than down in
the valley. On the mountains is where we
need it though, so all is good. Some very
nice conditions for skiers and snowboarders.
We always want more snow though and it looks
like it should be mid week when we get more. |
|
|
28th December
2012 |
We had some great days this week
so far with light, dry powder snow to be found
out on the slopes around the village. This
weekend we are due some milder conditions but
the snow is due to be back falling on us perhaps
late in the weekend and into next week. It
looks like it will be a very happy New Year! |
|
|
20th December
2012 |
Still not a whole lot of new snow
this week to report, but things are looking good
for heavy snowfall on Sunday and into early in
the week. It looks like it is going to be
a very snowy and white Christmas. |
|
|
14th December
2012 |
We did get some snowfall and more
of the resort areas are now open, but we still
need more for things to really get going.
There's still plenty to play in though a heavy
snowfall does not seem likely next week. |
|
|
7th December
2012 |
This coming weekend we are
looking forward to some heavy snowfall in the
region which should really kick start the winter
season into gear. Heavy snow and
potentially strong winds are forecast for the
north west region of Nagano Prefecture.
Wrap up well and be prepared if you intend to be
here for the weekend! |
|
|
30th November
2012 |
Not too much to report this week
as we generally wait for the first deep snowfall
of the winter season. Things are looking
promising for this time next week, so we will
just have to see how that turns out... |
|
|
23rd November
2012 |
It doesn't seem that long ago
when the National Park was in full colours and
we were enjoying some amazing autumn scenery.
Well, we are into winter mode now and today
marks the opening day for the Tsugaike Kogen ski
and snowboard resort in Otari for the 2012/2013
winter season. Just one run up top open
from today as we haven't had much snowfall since
my last report but always exciting to see the
ski lifts moving... |
|
|
16th November
2012 |
What a week it has been! We
were expecting some snowfall, but perhaps not
quite as much as we got! Reports of up to
1m of snowfall higher up on the mountains in the
region, and also a fair few cm down in village
areas as well yesterday. That put the
smiles on faces of lots of people looking
forward to the snowy winter. Some ski
resorts nearby in Hakuba even plan to part open
for the weekend. It's
not full on winter yet - remember we are still
in November - but it's certainly an encouraging
start! |
|
|
9th November
2012 |
Temperatures continue to
gradually drop in the region and we have seen
further sprinklings of snow as well. For
those of us looking forward to more snow, keep
an eye on the forecast for the middle of next
week -- as it stands now it looks like there may
be a decent snowfall on it's way.... certainly
higher up on the mountains anyway. |
|
|
3rd November
2012 |
It has been feeling like we can
almost say that winter has arrived! Snow
under the feet on the mountain and some lovely
snow scenery for a change... though we have yet
to have snow down to village level of course.
The National Park will be closed tomorrow as
people in the region prepare for winter to start
proper. We'll no doubt have some ups and
downs with temperatures in the coming weeks, but
there will very probably be people skiing in the
region by the end of the month.
We'll keep you posted!
>>
View video from
3rd November 2012 [Japanese Otari site]
 |
|
|
26th October
2012 |
At the risk of repeating myself,
this last week we have had some wonderful
moments to enjoy the majesty of our
surroundings. As you can see from the
photo and video below, we saw the first snowfall
of the season high up on the mountains. In
the Tsugaike National Park, a few cm of snow was
waiting for those going up on the Ropeway,
making for an amazing contrast with the autumn
colours that are now a bit lower down the
mountainsides. We may
have rain on Sunday but next week the weather
should once again be fine. Be sure to
check these lovely conditions out while you can.
>>
View video from
24th October 2012 [Japanese Otari site]
 |
|
|
19th October
2012 |
What a week! When the
weather has co-operated it has been prime autumn
colours viewing time on the Otari mountains.
Be sure to check the video linked to below. We are past the peak of the spectacular colours
high up now actually, but lower down still some
beautiful sights to see.
>>
View video from
14th October 2012 [Japanese Otari site]
 |
|
|
12th October
2012 |
The last day of the three day
weekend (Monday) was a perfect time to be in the
region and the colours are at their peak in
parts of the mountains now. Once again I
recommend you take a look at the video linked to
below to see how colourful everything is at the
moment. Still lots more time to enjoy it
as it comes down the mountain, with fine and
clear weather mostly on the forecast into next
week.
>>
View video from
8th October 2012 [Japanese Otari site]
 |
|
|
4th October
2012 |
Take a look at the image and
video clip below - there are some spectacular
colours now high up in the mountains. Some
lovely reds and yellows in particular.
They will slowly be making their way down the
mountains in the coming weeks. Lovely cool
weather as well at the moment.
>>
View video from
4th October 2012 [Japanese Otari site]
 |
|
|
28th September
2012 |
Some beautiful weather since the
last report and more colours appearing as well -
yellows, browns, reds. It's not full on
autumn colours just yet but we are on our way
and when the sun is out with blue skies we are
treated to some spectacular views.
Evenings are getting real chilly
at times as well now - there's no more of that
summer heat left lingering now and even when it
gets warm in a day it's definitely nowhere near
as humid! Very nice.
>>
View video from
27th September 2012 [Japanese Otari site]
 |
|
|
22nd September
2012 |
As you can see on the photo and
video below, autumn colours are starting to
appear. More good news as well as
temperatures have really dropped since the last
report and there's almost a chill in the air at
times. In the coming weeks, more than at
any other time of the year perhaps, it's almost
worth going up the mountains a few times a week
to see what is happening up there. I hope
you can get out there and enjoy it.
>>
View video from
22nd September 2012 [Japanese Otari site]
 |
|
|
14th September
2012 |
The colours are starting to
change! We're not there yet but the signs
of autumn continue to appear.... evenings and
early mornings are getting cooler, though it is
still warming up during the day time.
Things should continue at the same pace over the
coming week or so, with things continuing to get
cooler in another week or so...
>>
View video from
12th September 2012 [Japanese Otari site]
 |
|
|
7th September
2012 |
Here we are already into
September. And we have noticed a drop in
temperatures, at least in the evenings and
mornings with some days being almost comfortably
cool - even if it still gets hot during the
daytime. There is of
course a lot to look forward to - the beautiful
scenery of autumn and then of course all that
snow for winter! We are now entering one
of the best periods of the year.
>>
View video from
5th September 2012 [Japanese Otari site]
 |
|
|
29th August
2012 |
Summer is still lingering on but
signs of autumn continue with some autumn plants
starting to appear. We have had more fine
weather in the mountains but temperatures down
at village level remain 'summer'.
Hopefully soon it might start to cool down.
The forecast is for clear and sunny conditions
through into next week.
>>
View video from
29th August 2012 [Japanese Otari site]
 |
|
|
17th August
2012 |
There are signs of autumn in the
Park - it doesn't seem that long ago when we
were talking about snow melting from the
mountains, but now it is once again only a
matter of months before the first of fresh
sprinklings are with us. Before that
though, the lovely autumn months.... a favorite
time of the year for many as it brings the
spectacular autumn colors as well as more
comfortable temperatures before winter
arrives....
>>
View video from
16th August 2012 [Japanese Otari site]
 |
|
|
11th August
2012 |
There has been more good weather
in the region with a nice breeze up in the
mountains when I was up there a few days ago.
>>
View video from
10th August 2012 [Japanese Otari site]
 |
|
|
4th August
2012 |
We have enjoyed some very fine
weather in the last week or two. Hot still
in the village in the daytime as you might
expect, more pleasant as you get higher up.
But some lovely clear skies and fantastic views
of the mountains on offer.
Early week we might see some rain
but generally next week seems set to see lots of
sun and blue sky as well in the region.
>>
View video from
4th August 2012 [Japanese Otari site]
 |
|
|
27th July 2012 |
It has been a hot week in Japan
and northern Nagano doesn't escape. Of
course, getting up into the mountain certainly
helps and there has been a relief in breezes
blowing about up in the Park.
We might have some rain on Sunday
but after that it should be clear and mostly
sunny with some cloud in the coming week.
We can expect temperatures up around 30 though
at village level.... all the more reason to get
up in the mountains!
>>
View video from
27th July 2012 [Japanese Otari site]
 |
|
|
20th July
2012 |
More of the summer flowers and
plants making an appearance in the last week or
so as we have enjoyed some fine conditions with
a nice some blue skies between the clouds and a
relatively cool breeze every now and again.
We might have some rain tomorrow
from from Sunday it looks like we should be
having lots of clearer conditions in the coming
week.
>>
View video from
17th July [Japanese Otari site]
 |
|
|
13th July
2012 |
The proper summer season is
nearly upon us! It looks like we can
expect some very hot and humid conditions at
village level this coming weekend (hitting as
high as 30 degrees perhaps) and while it will
still be warm, a trip up to the natural park
will be a welcome escape from the heat for many
people.
The forecast for the coming week
is generally one of sunny and hot conditions as
we make our way out of the rainy season period.
>>
View video from
11th July [Japanese
Otari site]
 |
|
|
6th July
2012 |
As you can see from the photos
over the last few weeks, life has been springing
up quickly in the Park. The seasons are
changing fast as we approach the peak of summer.
It shouldn't be long before the last of the snow
will have disappeared...
>>
View video from
5th July [Japanese
Otari site]
 |
|
|
28
June 2012 |
There is still some snow around
here and there at the moment, even in this late
part of June. We are well into rainy
season, but haven't really seem much of the rain
so far. We have had a fair bit of cloud
though but a good share of finer conditions as
well.
>>
View video from 27th
June [Japanese
Otari site]
 |
|
|
22nd
June 2012 |
There is still snow up there on
the mountains in Otari but it is now gradually
melting away... and making way for more and more
plants and flowers to come to life.
We are now officially into "rainy
season", but the week ahead looks generally
clear and sunny with not much rain on the
forecast. Rainy season means it can come
quickly though so that is of course subject to
change at short notice!
>>
View video from 21st June [Japanese
Otari site]
 |
|
|
15th
June 2012 |
We are enjoying some lovely
weather at the moment with nice blue skies and
just some cloud hanging around. And nice
and cool as well. >>
View video from 21st June [Japanese
Otari site]
 |
|
|
4th
June 2012 |
The Park is now officially open,
having opened on Friday 1st June. As you
can see from the video on the page linked to
below, there is still quite a lot of snow up
there! >>
View video from 1st June [Japanese
Otari site]
We should be enjoying some
fine and clear conditions this week in the Otari
area. Down in the village area we can
expect temperatures to rise somewhat, but it
should be staying nice and cool up in the
mountains!
 |
|
|
25th May 2012 |
Good morning from Otari. It
is a rather grey and cloudy morning here and it
might rain later on, but the weather over the
weekend should be much improved and we should
get to see lots of the sun into next week as
well. Another week before the Park is due
to be officially opened for the summer season. |
|
|
20th May 2012 |
It has been a few
weeks now since the ski resorts in the region
closed. The snow has quickly further
retreated up the mountainsides, though still a
lot on those big mountains- as you can see in
the below image (at the time of posting) which
is a webcam from the Tsugaike Natural Park.
The Park plans
to be open from Friday 1st June until Sunday 4th
November.
It has been a mix of cloud and
fine weather over the last week or so and looks
like for the most part we should enjoy some good
weather conditions in the coming week. |
|
|
10th May 2012 |
That's it!
The 2011/2012 ski and snowboard season is now
over in Otari village. We hope that you
managed to visit and enjoy your time here.
The 2012/2013 ski season should begin in the
last month or so of the year.
In the meantime, summer and
autumn brings with it many attractions to enjoy
in the region. |
|
|
|
