The winter
conditions have continued in the last week with
a lot of new snowfall most days in the valley.
After a relatively dry period earlier on in the
month, the last half of January certainly
brought us a lot of snow!
The snow clouds seem to have
moved on for the time being this morning with
some blue sky up above - still some clouds
hanging on, but generally fine weather
conditions and we should see decent weather over
the weekend as well. A chance of light
snow tomorrow but clearer skies on Sunday.
Snow conditions at the moment are
excellent wherever you decide to ski or
snowboard!
27th January
2012
Winter in full-on
mode at the moment. In the last 4 days a
huge amount of snow has fallen on the Otari
resorts - well over 1.5m of fresh snowfall in
some areas. Masses of snow out on the ski
resorts and while this is excellent news, real
care must be taken at these times as there are
also dangers in such extreme weather conditions.
This weekend
though it should be excellent snow conditions on
all of the slopes around town, with more snow
forecast to fall over the weekend. Enjoy
and take care!
20th January
2012
Well after the
last report we have had a run of days with
milder temperatures and some clear sunny skies
as well. There was more snowfall today and
temperatures are set to take a drop and we can
look forward to some more decent snowfalls in
the coming week.
11th January
2012
After last weeks
report we got some good snowfalls in the region
and quite a few days giving us a foot or more of
fresh snow. Conditions have been very good
and places like Cortina in particular have seen
some heavy snowfalls.
It has been
snowing heavily today as well actually and so I
think we will see some nice snow depth increases
reported tomorrow as well, though clearer
conditions are forecast for the day time
tomorrow.
3rd January
2012
On behalf of the
people of Otari Village... Happy New Year!
Let's hope it will be a peaceful and fun year
for everyone. We have had our fair share
of clear and sunny skies over the last few
weeks. There have been regular snowfalls,
but perhaps not of the heavy snow variety that
we might expect. All of the ski resorts
are of course open and with a few meters of snow
up top there are certainly no issues. We
can probably look forward to some heavy snowfall
during the month of January. It is snowing
quite heavily this morning and we can expect the
snow clouds to stay around tomorrow. It's
looking like we should see clear conditions over
the weekend though so the new snow and good
weather over the weekend should make for great
conditions.
23rd December
2011
We have had more
snow down to village level over the last week
and it is now feeling more like winter is with
us. Everywhere is white and wintery.
The ski resorts in the region are open now - if
not fully - but this Christmas weekend some
heavy snowfalls are on the forecast and so it
would be a good bet that by early in the week
everywhere will be open. If you plan to be
in Otari this weekend and for Chrismtas, come
well wrapped up and prepared for snow to be
falling. Conditions out on the ski slopes
should also be really great.
16th December
2011
It has been
somewhat stop and start so far but somehow it
feels like winter has arrived. This last
week Tsugaike Kogen had enough snow high up to
open up part of it's slopes and overnight since
last night we have had what I think can be
called the most snow yet in village. About
10cm or so on the ground and more - perhaps
quite a lot more - is due in the next 24 hours
and I think we can expect to see more of the ski
resorts opening this weekend.
9th December
2011
A few times since
the last report we have had some sprinklings of
fresh snow on the mountains --- nothing major
but slowly the snow is building up on the resort
slopes. There's not really enough for the
snow sliding to start yet as we wait for more
snow. The weeks forecast doesn't look like
it will bring too much snow so we need to be
hang on in there.... it will be here soon!
2nd December
2011
We are now into
December and the winter season is surely just
right in front of us now. It has kept
relatively mild though the last few days.
We should hopefully see some more snowfall on
the mountains over the weekend - after a mild
start to the day tomorrow and possible rain -
and perhaps also into Monday.
25 November
2011
A few more
dustings of snow on the mountains since the last
report but it looks like over the next 4 or 5
days we are due for a stretch of days when we
will see milder temperatures and a return to
more autumn-like conditions. So we are not
quite into winter mode just yet.
18th November
2011
A few days ago we
saw the snowline on the mountains creep down
towards village level.... not there yet but the
coldest few days of the season so far. It
looks like we can expect rain tomorrow
(Saturday) but then perhaps snow once again -
particularly higher up - on Sunday into Monday.
13th November
2011
Cooler temperatures now as we
continue that march towards the winter.
The Park is now closed and people around town
are turning their attentions to the upcoming
snow season.
28th October
2011
The lovely autumn
colours have continued to move down the
mountainsides into the lower areas and we have
again been treated to some fine weather
conditions, perfect to be out and about enjoying
the beautiful natural surroundings of Otari.
The Park will be
open until the 3rd November. Looks like we
should see more fine conditions into next week
with relatively warm temperatures in the region.
27th October 2011
21st October
2011
We have been treated to some
wonderful autumn conditions here in the region
the last few days. Lovely clear skies, a
chill in the air and beautiful scenery as the
peak of autumn passes us by and winter
approaches.
The park will be open until 3rd
November for those wanting to get up there and
enjoy the scenery. After that, it will be
preparing for winter!
19th October 2011
Live camera
image from Otari
6th October
2011
Beautiful scenery on the
mountains as we saw the first flurries of
snowfall on the upper mountains down to about
2000m and at the same time the colours of autumn
a little lower. Take a look at these
photos for a good idea of some of the scenery
right now.
23rd September
2011
Lots of clouds the last few days
in the skies in northern Nagano but temperatures
generally continue to drop and it is getting to
feel more like autumn. We might even get
to see the first snowfall on the mountain tops
in the next week or so if we are lucky, which is
always an exciting sign for things to come!
2nd September
2011
After a hot and
uncharacteristically wet summer, autumn is
nearly with us at last. It is still rather
warm on many days but there are signs that
relief is on it's way! Autumn in Otari is
spectacular and so always a great time of the
year.
22nd July 2011
Over the last few days we have
experienced some cooler temperatures which makes
a change from the heat of the time before that
in the village. Today is rather dull and
rain likely most of the day but into the weekend
and next week though things look set to heat up
once again and we should see a spell of clear
and sunny weather. Should be a fine time
to get out into the mountains.
18th July 2011
15th July 2011
We are now officially out of
rainy season and we have seen clearer skies and
temperatures rising at the same time.
Early summer has arrived! Some blue skies
behind summer-like clouds and a nice breeze on
the mountain make for a more pleasant time than
rainy season for sure. Tomorrow looks like
we should see some clearer sunny skies and
temperatures rising to around 30 degrees in the
village. Get up the mountains to cool
down!
12th July 2011
8th July 2011
More cloud today in the region
though we did enjoy some clearer conditions on
Wednesday with some blue sky on show as can be
seen on the below photograph. More cloudy
conditions are forecast for the weekend but we
might get to see the sun again from time to time
early next week. Regions in western Japan
are now officially out of rainy season, so
hopefully it won't be too long before we are
here in Otari as well.
6th July
Live camera
image from Otari
1st July 2011
There are less and less pockets
of snow left over on the upper areas now as we
hopefully begin to approach the end of the rainy
season now that we are into July. Today
the lower mountains are visible but there is a
lot of cloud higher up.... and cloudy conditions
are forecast for the weekend as well - it looks
like we might escape the rain over the weekend
but wet conditions due again early in the week.
June 29th
24th
June 2011
We enjoyed some fine clear
weather conditions on 22nd June - lovely blue
skies and cool temperatures on the
mountainsides.
June 22nd
Rainy season isn't over yet
though. Lots of rain yesterday and while today
has started off somewhat drier, we do have rain
likely later on in the day and into the weekend.
Perhaps it might clear up somewhat by Sunday.
17th
June 2011
The remaining snow is quickly
melting now in the mountains of Otari - higher
temperatures and rain are seeing to that.
Rainy season may not be the best time to visit,
but it's always good to see the end of that
period and summer arrive on the other end.
We are not quite there yet though with more rain
lined up for the coming week.
10th
June 2011
We have now officially been in
rainy season in this region of Japan for about a
week, though have escaped too much rain so far.
Generally we have seen cloudy conditions with
heavy rain visiting just sometimes. Today
has been a dull and grey day and while we have
similar conditions forecast for the weekend,
clearer sunnier conditions are likely in the
coming week.
27th May 2011
The last week we have seen some
fine weather in the region and temperatures have
remained relatively cool. The kind of
spring conditions that you wish would last
longer than they do! Of course we are due
for hotter conditions fairly soon and then rainy
season.
20th May 2011
The Tsugaike Nature Park is now
open for the spring season.... fine conditions
for the opening but there is still quite a lot
of snow remaining on the mountain.
8th May 2011
Well, Golden Week has now
finished and from tomorrow it's back to normal
after the elongated holiday period. The
ski resorts in the area are all now closed as
everyone takes a breath after a busy winter and
looks forward to the coming spring and summer
seasons.
29th April 2011
Today marks the beginning of
Golden Week in Japan (today and then Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday of next week are all
national holidays) and we have seen some warm
temperatures in the region this week... though
actually today has been quite chilly.
Warmer conditions should be back tomorrow though
for the weekend. Only the upper slopes of
Tsugaike Kogen remain open now - until 5th May -
and soon thoughts will turn to spring and
summer.
20th April 2011
We have had a few
sprinklings of snow in the mountains and things
have stayed quite cold. The forecast does
have conditions warming up next week though as
we approach the Golden Week holidays, starting
on Friday 29th April.
4th April 2011
We have had just some light
dustings last week but generally we have seen
some good clear conditions in the region and
today was a beauty with blue skies and mild
temperatures. The coming few days look
like we should be experiencing some warm and
spring-like weather conditions. There is
still a lot of snow on the ground and top to
bottom riding available at the Tsugaike Kogen
ski resort which plans to stay open into May.
25th March 2011
Since last week we have had some
new snowfall on a few days along with
temperatures generally remaining low and snow
conditions that are really good for late March.
A bit more snowfall is due Saturday and then we
should see the weather conditions gradually
clear up with finer weather forecast for early
in the week.
18th March 2011
As you will no doubt know, since
the last update last week Japan has experienced
a terrible natural disaster - with a very strong
earthquake and tsunami causing wide areas of
damage in north eastern areas of Tohoku.
This is a fair distance from Otari, but this
even has affected everyone in Japan.
Limited supplies of power and also a general
lack of enthusiasm from some people mean that
while the resorts remain at least part open
(limited due to trying to save energy supplies),
the slopes are very very quiet.
In terms of weather we have seen
winter-like conditions this week up until today
and a large amount of new snow - so snow
conditions are actually very good.
Everyone in Otari sincerely
wishes for a quick and strong recovery from this
disaster.
11th March 2011
Winter has generally stayed with
us the last week and the last few days we have
even seen some moderate to heavy snowfall in the
mountains.... Cortina is reporting 30cm today
and more than that yesterday so well over half a
metre of new snow just in the last few days.
So as you can imagine conditions are really
great out there once again.
Tomorrow is the beginning of the
weekend and we can expect clear skies and the
sun making an appearance, so it should be a
great weekend for anyone visiting the region.
4th March 2011
After that blast of mild weather
in late February, winter has made a welcome
comeback in the last few days. Varying
amounts of snow being reported but some fresh
snow to be found out there now on the slopes of
the ski resorts and cold temperatures have made
a return.
It is back to
clearer conditions over the weekend though with
clear skies and sun forecast for Saturday and
Sunday according to the latest reports.
25th February 2011
The mild weather conditions
continue in the region this week with a run of
sunny and mild days - great for views of the
mountains but less great for snow conditions and
while there is still a lot of snow we could do
with a fresh layer. We might get to see
some higher up overnight tonight but tomorrow
looks set to be clearer sunny weather conditions
again. Take the camera!
18th February 2011
Things have got rather mild once
more in the last few, during the daytimes anyway
with cold overnights. Today there has been
fairly wet snow falling but it is snow and
better than rain of course! Over the
weekend it looks like we will be seeing
generally clear and sunny weather with mild
temperatures in the daytimes. The clearer
dry conditions look set to continue into next
week as well.
11th February 2011
More winter like conditions have
returned to Otari since the last report - some
good snowfall on Tuesday night and great
conditions on Wednesday, but not much in terms
of clearer weather.
Today is a National Holiday
and so the first day of a three-day weekend, so
there are a lot of people about. We can
expect a mix of cloud and snow over the weekend
with perhaps the clearer conditions most likely
on Sunday.
4th February 2011
The last few days
has seen some milder conditions in the area and
a few days of clearer weather.... after the
prolonged mid-winter conditions and heavy snow
that we saw in most of January, February has
started much milder. While we don't want
the temperatures to rise too much, seeing the
sun makes a chance from the constant snowfall!
It looks like we will generally
be seeing continued mild and clearer weather
over the weekend and into next week and it will
be at least mid-week next week before the next
considerable snowfall. Weather has a habit
of changing quickly though....! Enjoy the
great conditions out there.
28th January 2011
And the excellent
conditions continue. 20cm a night is not a
particularly strange thing this season as we get
regular top-ups to the snow. There are
some clouds hanging on today but some good blue
skies on show as well today... but the snow will
be back soon and probably by Saturday night when
potentially we will see some more heavy snow.
Next week might be getting slightly milder but
the conditions should remain excellent.
19th January 2011
The full-on
winter conditions continue in Otari and
surrounding regions. We have had a great
deal of snowfall and very regularly in the last
few weeks and this means that the resorts now
have over three meters of snow and consistently
excellent conditions. We are now in peak
season and so a lot of people around on weekends
and holidays but resorts are still not
overcrowded on weekdays - excellent if you can
get here on one of those days!
8th January 2011
The last week has
seen some amazing amounts of snow fall in the
Otari and Hakuba region of Nagano. The
Tsugaike Kogen resort is now reporting close to
3 meters of snow on the upper slopes of the
resort. Resorts are now fully open and
enjoying some incredible powder snow conditions
- it doesn't get much better than this!
1st January 2011
Happy New Year from us all in
Otari - we hope you can enjoy a snowy new year!
24th December 2010
The last 24 hours
or so has seen some heavy snowfall in the region
- enough to really get things going properly in
time for Christmas. More runs and lifts at
the snow resorts are opening by the day and we
can expect much more area to be open for the
Christmas weekend. It's looking like there
will be heavy snow on Christmas day as well, so
people visiting the area will be treated to some
deep powder conditions. Just wrap up well.
All the very best
for the holiday season.
19th December 2010
Since the last
report we have had a number of snowfalls -
nothing major, but enough for resorts in the
area to open up and the ski season is now
underway. The top of Tsugaike is open and
the resorts will be opening up more as soon as
there is enough snow to do so. A look at
the forecast shows that the next snow might be
due around Tuesday - Thursday this coming week
so hopefully that will bring a good amount of
snow with it to allow resorts to expand
operations.
Today, the sun is
out and it is fine beautiful day in the region.
10th December 2010
Good news this
morning. We have had some snow overnight,
with perhaps 20-25cm or so fresh snow on upper
slopes - and Tsugaike Kogen is open for the
first time this season. Just the top
slopes at the moment and today and tomorrow will
be free for skiers and snowboarders. We
will likely see some fairer conditions over the
weekend, but it is looking like we can expect
some fairly heavy snowfall conditions mid-week
next week when hopefully the winter season
really will get started!
3rd December 2010
Last week I
mentioned colder temperatures, but that hasn't
really happened. In fact, it has been very
mild this last few days in the area and while we
had some snow down to village level a few days
ago, it has now disappeared and rain today is
making that snow line crawl back up the
mountainsides. The good news is though
that around Monday-Wednesday of next week we
seem set to see what promises to be a fairly
decent snowfall, so hopefully that will let the
winter season officially start here!
25th November 2010
Well, we have
seen some relatively mild temperatures this week
and despite some flurries of snow every now and
again, there is not enough on the mountains to
get the ski season up and running yet.
Hopefully next week will see some colder
temperatures and the chance of us getting more
snowfall to get things started.
14th November 2010
We have seen some
changeable conditions this week. This
morning we saw some rainy conditions with poor
visibility but it has cleared up somewhat later
in the day. The snow line is still fairly
high on the mountains and may well creep up
further as good weather is forecast for this
weekend, but the ski resorts are getting ready
to get going for the winter.... the Tsugaike
Kogen ski resort will open as soon as there is
enough snow after 20th November.
7th November 2010
We have had some
fine weather over the last week or so in the
region - lots of clear blue skies but the snow
on the mountain tops makes a great contrast -
it's somewhere around the 1500 meter mark now.
The weekend saw
some fine weather conditions as well, and rather
mild as well, and this week it looks like we
might be in for more cloudy and wet conditions
until around mid-week when things might get
clearer once again.
27th October 2010
The first snow of the season
overnight on the mountains. Today started
off cloudy but ended up clear with some blue
skies giving us some fine views of the
snow-topped mountains. The winter sports
season is of course still a way off, but it is
always good to see that first sprinkling of
snow
