Japan, more specifically the area in and around the town of Hakuba, has been getting hammered with snow lately. Between January 30 and January 31, most resorts in the area were reporting 10-20cm of new snow. Between January 29 and January 31, the numbers were closer to 35cm of new snow in 24 hours.
With all of the recent snowfall, some ski resorts have seen 80-100cm of fresh snow in the past several days, making for unbelievable snow conditions. But as this video shows, those fantastic conditions should be taken with a fair amount of caution.
While avalanches seem to be less common in Japan then in other parts of the world despite the immense amount of snowfall, they still happen, and they can still be deadly. Always make sure you pay attention to the local avalanche bulletin before heading off-resort, and make sure you’re carrying the proper gear and know how to use it. Don’t go into the backcountry if you don’t have sufficient avalanche/backcountry training. Consider hiring a guide instead.
Colorado Avalanche Information Center Basic Avalanche Safety:
Avalanches are possible any time you have snow on a slope. The best thing you can do before you head into the mountains is check the avalanche forecast.
If you are traveling where there isn’t a current avalanche forecast, here are some simple things that will help you avoid avalanches.
- Avalanches are possible when you have snow on a slope steeper than about 30 degrees.
- Most avalanches happen during or soon after a big snowstorm, period of strong winds, or during a thaw (rapid increase in temperature).
- Signs of higher avalanche danger include recent avalanches, cracking in the snow, and audible collapsing. Avoid traveling on or under similar slopes.
If you want to dig deeper, you can view a list of educational resources on our Education Resources page.