Happy Australia Day, from Annupuri Lodge! Folks here were treated to another day of deep powder and flashes of sunshine. There were surprisingly few people on the hill and there were fresh lines to be found all day, mountain wide. Once the evening rolled around, some of the guys at the lodge built a backyard kicker, grabbed some beers and hit it well into the evening. With a lot of people having a late start to today, those who got out there had another 25cm of snow and some sunshine to enjoy.

The storms forecast over the weekend never really eventuated, teasing us constantly with heavy but short lived snowfall interspersed with sunshine. But as the week progressed, the storm arrived and with fury. Last night saw over 25cm fall in 12 hours, with the winds and more accumulation throughout the day making some areas waist deep. Temperatures are also very cold, so for those who were lucky enough to be out there today, the quality of snow was as good as any time during the season. With more heavy snow forecast for the rest of the week, things are going to continue to be amazing.

For the first time this season, Niseko saw back to back sunny days. The sunshine was a welcome change to those of us suffering Vitamin D deficiency and everyone got to see the area for all its beauty. The snow is still consistent and soft over the whole mountain with plenty of challening bumps through the trees. Otherwise, the groomers are skiing spectacularly and the terrain parks are open for business.
With a new storm looking to arrive tonight, it won't be long before we're all out chasing bottomless powder again.

The last few days have seen more consistent snowfalls, with an average of 20cm dropping throughout the nights. Usually, the best skiing and riding is to be found a little lower, ducking through the gates and into the trees. For those who braved the wind and hit the top lifts, the whole mountain provided top to bottom fun for all abilities. With the forecast suggesting a drop in the wind and hopefully some more sun towards the end of the week, things are looking pretty awesome here at Annupuri.

More snow and high winds have made riding at Annupuri unbelievable. With the top lifts closed, the best runs are to be had by those who live locally and the morning was full of face shots and tree lines. Every day, conditions are even better than the day before and things just keep on improving. With the Christmas rush coming to an end, no lift lines and snow like this, conditions are absolutely epic.

The last few days have seen consistent snowfalls during the day and accumulations of around 20cm each night, constantly topping up our base and filling in the bumps. The best time to be out is definitely in the morning before things get hit too quickly, but even mid and late in the day there is still fresh snow to be found in the trees.

With Jetstar having an impromptu sale (pictured below), now is the ideal time to book some flights and get out here!

After a massive storm the shut the entire mountain down yesterday Annupuri has awoken to an absolute blanketing of fresh snow. The closure of the mountain yesterday and the additional falls last night means todays conditions are going to be DEEEEEEP!. As this front refuses to move on we are seeing constant hourly falls of over 10cm. Temperatures of recent have struggled to reach minus 3 here in the village preserving the quality of newly fallen snow. While gates 1 and 2 may remain closed while the snowpack settles after this massive loading of powder, gate 7 will be the place to be through its perfectly positioned trees, natural features and open powder fields.

Although Annupuri woke up to blue skies this morning, the overnight winds had changed the snowpack considerably. While groomers were skiing fantastically, the off piste was tough for most, causing prayers for more snow. Those prayers were soon answered, with massive fat flakes falling for the rest of the day. Most forecasts are for continued snowfall, with some calling for close to a metre over the next seven days (mostly by the weekend). Watching the accumulation over the afternoon, things tomorrow morning should be back to their world class best.

The new year in Niseko has seen sunny mornings and evening snow flurries. Many predicted a large snowstorm last night, but that didn't eventuate. However it looks like a new storm is brewing for the middle of the week. Groomed runs are skiing perfectly and the winds have been depositing huge powder stashes around the trees. All the gates are open and there is awesome skiing and boarding to be had all over the resort.

Yesterday saw the opening of Gate 1 and Gate 2 here at Annupuri giving skiers and boarders direct access to the Annupuri Back Bowls for the first time this season. I was lucky enough to sneak a couple of the first lines in early! CondItions stayed blue bird for the majority of the day allowing everyone to really bomb down through off piste areas and through the trees. Recent high winds have created some monster cornices and shaped huge natural features to challenge expert riders while sheltered and heavily treed areas are holding meters of perfect powder. Currently December has brought almost half of the areas annual snow fall and with more storms predicted for the weekend here at Annupuri were are all looking forward to a VERY Happy New Year.

Rhys @ Annupuri Lodge

CANT SEE THE VIDEO? CLICK THE LINK BELOW.

http://vimeo.com/34310196

The recent stormy conditions have seen Annupuri and the surrounding areas completely transformed. Gate number 7 opened for the first time, providing skiers and riders with unlimited fresh tracks, cornices to jump off and never ending fun. Over the whole resort, waist to chest deep powder is in abundance, especially for those who have a sneaky run or two up their sleeves. The sun even took the opportunity to poke its head out through the afternoon and it was finally possible to see just how much snow has fallen through the last storm. With another one due towards the weekend, it won't be long until this place changes again. Get amongst it!

Annupuri is currently trapped under a mammoth low pressure system that has refused to move on for more than 24 hours now. This system has brought high winds along with and unmeasurable amount of fresh snow. Temps are bumping minus 10 this morning with yesterdays afternoon reading coming down to minus 20. Todays ongoing low pressure storm is expected to bring up to another half a meter over night before finally moving on. Check out the pictures below for a brief idea on what has fallen in Village of Annupuri over night!

Most lifts across the Niseko United Mountain are on wind hold here today, meaning that as soon as this front moves off the entire upper half of this mountain will have been untouched for almost two days. Two days in a storm like this translates to about 1.5 meters of fresh powder and more naturally shaped features than you could throw your gear at!

The snow gods have been absolutely turning it on for December here in Annupuri with conditions that seem to improve every single day. Im off riding and im bringing my floaties!!

Rhys @ Annupuri Lodge

There was a car there yesterday

For the first time in three weeks, there was no new snow on the ground, but a cold and clear night produced some phenomenal groomer skiing this morning. As the day progressed, the coming storm started to build and the day ended with scattered snow and cloud cover. All the predictions are calling for a huge amount of snow over the coming week, so conditions for Christmas and the new year are shaping up to be all time.
Pete @ Annupuri

As the recent storm system finally moved through, Annupuri awoke to bright, blue skies. With another 25cm of fresh snow, the mountain has filled in, providing top to bottom fun for skiers and riders of all ages and abilities. Another storm is set to roll into town late on Thursday, so Annupuri should be seeing more of the world class, Japanese powder. It's the perfect time to get out and explore the mountain or fine tune your skills with a lesson from one of our qualified, in-house instructors.

The Official Lucky Fingers Bar Opening Party 22nd December 7:30pm

Come on down for the Opening Night of Annupuri Lodge's LuckyFingers Bar, with Free Beer and Tequila between 8 and 9, Sushi provided by SUSHI RIDERS NISEKO, LIVE MUSIC and ME on the good old wheelz of steel till late!

Free Pick Up Service in Hirafu from the Seiko Mart @ 6:30pm. Lets make it a banger and get to know the Locals!

Click the link below for some latest footage of riding here in Annupuri Japan

http://annupurilodge.com.au/report.php

Some more totally amazing conditions here in Annupuri with another 4 day storm dropping 1.5 meters of fresh pow all over the mountain. From first tracks at 8:30am until final call at 9pm, there are face shots to be had for everyone. Conditions are unbelievably good. Don't worry about snow fall records — when it drops this much, this often, who can keep count?
Get out here and enjoy it!
Pete @ Annupuri.

One of the better days this year today and lots more snow than was reported around the net. We should have some pics up for you in the next day or so but one thing is for sure based on existing records we are having an epic start to the season and the powder express does not look like it is gonna stop for a couple of days. But don't take our word for it link across to the Snow Japan report here.

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/daily/niseko-now.php

We are starting to fill a lot of the rooms now so if your planning to visit jump in ASAP and shoot Rhys an email or give him a call.

Untitled from rhys hartigan on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/33568235

4 DAY STORM!!

A 4 Day Storm that brought up to a meter of fresh powder has finally passed leaving the Annupuri Mountain in absolute bumper condition. The groomers futile efforts we totally covered in each night with shin deep powder on piste. Off piste riders found them selves taking a nice little swim if they decided to take a break while riding- with un-groomed areas packing some 70cm of fresh pow. This storm has shaped up some massive natural features and the crew here at Annupuri Lodge did not pass up the chance to really huck themselves of them!

Temperatures are staying low preserving the quality of the recently dumped snow. Ski Patrol is scoping back country sections as we speak preparing several gates for their open and with constant snow predicted for the remainder of the week, December conditions here at Annupuri will continue to be simply epic.

Rhys @ annupuri Lodge.

Once again over the last 48 hours we have experienced Annupuri Resort at it absolute best.

Incredible snow just keeps on falling here in Annupuri Japan, with another massive front bringing well over half a meter of super dry powder snow last night. Temperatures are hovering around -5 deg at 9am with winds dropping this morning allowing super high quality powder to build up in a big way.

Those of us who are lucky enough to be here right now are finding knee deep powder on Annupuri's top to bottom runs. Last nights high winds have shaped up some big natural features off piste for the extreme riders to bomb off. Gate 7 is completely packed in and ready to give Annupuri Lodge's guests direct access to the incredible back country steeps. December is really turning it on big time and with a base of over a 1.5 meters deep and base station here conditions are at their absolute peak!

Last night saw the opening of the nighter (night skiing) here allowing our guests first crack at shredding up the untouched powder on Dynamic and Fukayuki-rinkan.

Rhys @ Annupuri Lodge

When the weather report says:

And we look out the Annupuri Lodge front window and see ...

and ....

The crew at Annupuri Lodge well... we tend to get a little excited :-)

Annupuri is currently engulfed in a massive storm that has caused over 40cm of the highest quality power snow to dump on even the lowest parts of Annupuri.

After a stunning day yesterday, the weather turned quickly around 5pm, this was the beginning of one mother of a storm. Warmer temperatures in the early evening caused a massive amount of wetter snow to fall adding to the already amazing base on the Annupuri Mountain. As Temperatures dropped below minus 9 by 10:00pm, we were treated to another famous Annupuri dump, and one which caused me to spend a good half our trying to dig my car out!

I spent my morning bombing down bottomless untouched powder on my favourite run "Fukuyuki-rinkan" here at Annupuri. As this stor m continues to dump amazing powder snow and with a number of back country gates only days away from opening, I can honestly say "if your not here, your really missing out...."

Here the locals call it Subarashii Yuki!- (epic powder day!)

With another mega dump of snow delightfully hammering the Annupuri area all night, there was little else to do than get straight out there and take a dive into the fluffy stuff!

We are stoked to let you all know that the mountain is now open top to bottom, and there is absolute cracker terrain and natural features all thanks to recents storms and high winds!

Last nights falls amounted to well over 30cms at Annupuri's mid station, and temps were hovering around a chilly -7deg at 3pm (when we decided our legs were a wee bit sore!).

On piste the pow was sitting just under knee hight in places, and the days riding quickly turned into - who can make the biggest whale tale of pow! We did our best to stop for a second and take some pics, hell i'm surprised we stopped at all.

Top to Bottom of the mountain in super light powder today has every one totally pumped and although I'm back in the office I can still hear the local hokkaido rippers screaming yyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeewwww!!

30cms of Fresh !!

Annupuri received another lashing of fresh pow last night with 30cm+ falling overnight.

This morning the blizzard has totally set in, pumping us with more snow and strong winds to already shape up natural features all over the mountain. I will definitely be looking for the small window today to be one of the first people here to hike and put the first lines down the Annupuri Face, who's coming?

Yesterday the weather broke briefly and we had the rare chance to see the peaks of both Mt Annupuri and Mt Yotie in all their glory. Temps here today will peak this afternoon at a whopping top of minus 3.

Keep an eye out for some pics of our Annupuri hike, hell we may even build a booter!

Im off riding!

Rhys @ Annupuri Lodge

Damn Its cold!!

Temperatures have fluctuated somewhat in the last couple of days, but yesterday the mercury topped a high of minus 2 at the lodge.

With a good size front moving in last night and causing the tempeture to drop below -5 deg, we woke today to an absolute blanketing of the white fluffy stuff. Last nights snow falls accounted for over 20 cm`s of powder in the lower parts of the Annupuri village.

Snowfalls have only stopped for a second giving us the brief chance to snap a couple of pics. With consistent snow showers forcast for the remainder of the week, snow clearing machines have been busy all morning clearing roads and Annupuri mountain staff are working hard to prepare the mountain for its season 2011/12 open in little more than two weeks!.

Bring It ON!!!

Not sure if all you powder freaks out there are watching but the mercury is headed south big time on the weekend. Along with the forecast drop there is sure to be a visit from the "Powder Express" the the Niseko Annupuri area is famous for. Maybe not quite enough to hike and hit it but a good deposit in what will become our base for the 2011/2012 season. Have a look at the report below and check out that drop in temps on Sunday … it's coming. Remember we get over 15 meters of the good white stuff each season and NOWHERE has better riding in the pow. We will keep an eye on things and have reports and pics up in the coming week so don't forget to check back in a day or so".

Well the first dump has hit and there was snow to village level.

This is a great result for November and hopefully a sign of things to come. The crew at Powderlife were on it and our phones have started ringing this morning so the season is not far off. Bookings are starting to fill so don't forget to lock in with Rhys to make sure your spot in the best little resort in Nesiko is confirmed for the 2011/2012 season.

Check out the Powderlife report here

http://www.powderlife.com/news/niseko-news/snowfall%20hirafu%20village

and check out the car this morning below.

The sun has been out at Annupuri today so most of the crew from the lodge have been up riding the pow that fell last night. Interesting to note we are the only Gondola in Niseko that is operating top to bottom. Anyway no snow due for a couple days but then a big dump should start the deep stuff for the year. Till then check out todays pics.

Well the weather system that was bringing rain to the region has gone cold overnight and it's dumping snow like only Hokkaido can looks like a foot or so last night and still churning, should be an update and pic and vid later in the day for you to check out.

Snow due tonight on the Annupuri range models are forecasting a decent sized dump so we should see fresh cover for Friday and the weekend as a solid dump is also predicted for Friday night. We'll keep you posted.

Well the season is off and rolling and it was an epic start day at Annupuri the team from the lodge managed to get the first lift and first lines on the Mountain for the season and it was like being dropped straight into some sort of Playstation snow game. There was some great knee - deep blower up high on the runs that were "Officially" open and some even better stuff in a few harder to reach sections. These epic condies did not stay for too long though and we have had temps as high as 12 degrees for the last couple of days which has seen the snowpack harden up and really bind together and the roads have been quite a challenge with plenty of ice. The warm weather wont be with us for long though and models are showing a steep drop accompanied by some great falls of snow as we lead into the weekend. With 5 days till we take official guests here's hoping it's deep and cold so the staff can get their fill prior to our first guests. Hopefully we will have a video report to kick off our snow journal after the next fall.

In the mean time check out the pics of opening day. The first one is the gondola staff getting a final prep talk before launch, the second is our logistics manager Rianna Huebner a long way from her desk on day one and the third is our van being delivered to the front door.

It's OPEN!!!

Well it's a bit of a surprise but the Hokkaido snow machine has blasted to life and all across the mountains there is lots of FRESH seems as though about 1-2 feet dropped last night (20th) here in Annupuri and this morning was interesting as we had to dig cars and steps out from under the blower. Word is that Hirafu has opened today and that Annupuri will be open tomorrow. We should be out there across the next few hours so standby for an "On- the -slopes" report.