Sliding Everywhere | Hakuba, Japan | Jan 25

There was plenty of snow wherever you were skiing in the Hakuba area today. Unfortunately, all that snow has fallen on top of crusts on all aspects at and below tree line, and all elevations on southerly aspects. At Happo, we had about a foot and a half of new snow, which was moving as a soft slab on top of the crust layer. Skiing was great overall, but you had to use terrain and ski cuts often, as things were sliding everywhere. Be especially careful as more snow gets added tomorrow. The slab will only get deeper, and may not react as easily to ski cuts. Tomorrow will likely bring the most dangerous avalanche conditions we have seen all season.