Visibility: Bright sunshine
Snow: None
Piste Condition: Icy early, becoming very slushy
Wind: Light to none
Temperature: +17 at the base to -7 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely Light, to practically empty
Lift Lines: Extremely Light, to practically empty

Visibility: Bright sunshine
Snow: None
Piste Condition: Icy early, becoming more very slushy
Wind: Light to none
Temperature: +12 at the base to -6 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely Light, to practically empty
Lift Lines: Extremely Light, to practically empty

Visibility: Bright sunshine
Snow: 3cm
Piste Condition: Icy early, becoming more slushy
Wind: Light to none
Temperature: +5 at the base to -13 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely Light, to practically empty
Lift Lines: Extremely Light, to practically empty

Visibility: Bright sunshine, becoming cloudy late
Snow: None
Piste Condition: Wet, slushy and sticky
Wind: Strong
Temperature: +12 at the base to +4 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely Light, to practically empty
Lift Lines: Extremely light, except on the Solarcoaster chair

Visibility: Cloudy, with light rain
Snow: Trace to 1cm
Piste Condition: Wet, slushy and sticky
Wind: Strong
Temperature: +4 at the base to +1 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely Light, to practically empty
Lift Lines: Extremely Light, to practically empty

Visibility: Overcast, with periods of snow & white out's, clearing late to sunshine
Snow: 5cm
Piste Condition: Everything from fresh powder, hard pack, soft, lumpy, bumpy, slushy and very wet
Wind: Moderate and gusty
Temperature: +8 at the base to -4 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely Light
Lift Lines: Extremely light

Visibility: Mostly sunny with occasional cloudy periods
Snow: None
Piste Condition: Choppy but soft on top of hard pack
Wind: Light to none
Temperature: +4 at the base to -10 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely Light
Lift Lines: Extremely light

Visibility: Dark and cloudy with occasional bright patches,snow and hail
Snow: 10cm
Piste Condition: Moderately heavy Powder, on top of hard pack
Wind: Light to none
Temperature: +2 at the base to -10 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely Light
Lift Lines: Moderate to light

Visibility: Cloudy with occasional bright patches
Snow: Trace
Piste Condition: Hard and icy early, warming to a light slush layer later
Wind: Light to none
Temperature: +5 at the base to -5 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely Light
Lift Lines: Extremely Light

Visibility: Bright sunshine
Snow: Zero
Piste Condition: Hard and icy early, warming to slushy later
Wind: Light to none
Temperature: +8 at the base to +5 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely Light
Lift Lines: Extremely Light

Visibility: Poor
Snow: Zero
Piste Condition: Choppy soft pack
Wind: Light to none
Temperature: +2 at the base to -10 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely Light
Lift Lines: Extremely Light

Visibility: Poor
Snow: Zero
Piste Condition: Choppy soft pack
Wind: Light to none
Temperature: -1 at the base to -12 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely Light
Lift Lines: Extremely Light

Visibility: Zero to none, with some bright patches
Snow: Zero
Piste Condition: soft pack
Wind: Light to none
Temperature: +2 at the base to -7 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate
Lift Lines: Moderate

Visibility: Cloudy with some sunny patches
Snow: Zero
Piste Condition: Hardpack
Wind: Light to none
Temperature: +2 at the base to -7 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely Light
Lift Lines: Extremely Light

Visibility: Poor in places
Snow: Zero
Piste Condition: Hardpack
Wind: Light
Temperature: +2 at the base to -6 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely Light
Lift Lines: Extremely Light

Visibility: Poor to none
Snow: 4cm
Piste Condition: Powder on top with crusty pack under
Wind: Moderate to strong
Temperature: 0 at the base to -6 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely Light
Lift Lines: Extremely Light

Visibility: Poor to none
Snow: 11cm
Piste Condition: Fresh light powder
Wind: Strong
Temperature: +1 at the base to -7 at the top.
Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Moderate

Visibility: Mostly sunny with occasional cloudy periods
Snow: None
Piste Condition: Slushy
Wind: Light to none
Temperature: +4 at the base to -3 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely Light
Lift Lines: Extremely light

Visibility: Poor to none
Snow: 12cm
Piste Condition: Fresh light powder on top of hard pack
Wind: Moderate to strong
Temperature: -2 at the base to -12 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate
Lift Lines: Heavy

Visibility: Poor to none
Snow: 22cm
Piste Condition: Fresh light powder on top of hard pack
Wind: Light to Moderate
Temperature: -2 at the base to -12 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate
Lift Lines: Moderate

Visibility: Poor to none
Snow: 12
Piste Condition: Fresh light powder on top of hard pack
Wind: Moderate
Temperature: -4 at the base to -12 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate
Lift Lines: Heavy

Visibility: Poor to none
Snow: 16cm
Piste Condition: Fresh light powder on top a hard base
Wind: Moderate
Temperature: -4 at the base to -9 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate
Lift Lines: Moderate to heavy

Visibility: Poor to none
Snow: trace
Piste Condition: Hard pack with icy patches, and very wind blown
Wind: Moderate
Temperature: -2 at the base to -12 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely light
Lift Lines: Extremely light

Visibility: Bluebird
Snow: none
Piste Condition: Hard pack with icy patches
Wind: Light
Temperature: -2 at the base to -7 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely light
Lift Lines: Extremely light

Visibility: Bluebird
Snow: none
Piste Condition: Hard pack with icy patches, and very wind blown
Wind: Light
Temperature: -14 at the base to -24 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely light
Lift Lines: Extremely light

Visibility: Bluebird
Snow: none
Piste Condition: Hard pack with icy patches, and very wind blown
Wind: Strong to galeforce
Temperature: -10 at the base to -17 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely light
Lift Lines: Extremely light

Visibility: Sunny, with occasional light cloud
Snow: none
Piste Condition: Hard pack with icy patches, and very wind blown
Wind: Moderate
Temperature: -2 at the base to -7 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely light
Lift Lines: Extremely light

Visibility: Sunny, with occasional light cloud
Snow: 1-6cm
Piste Condition: Hard pack with icy patches, and very wind blown
Wind: Strong, to gale force - Also, very cold
Temperature: -5 at the base to -14 at the top.
Crowding: Extremely light
Lift Lines: Extremely light

Visibility: Sunny
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Hard pack with icy patches
Wind: Light
Temperature: -2 at the base to -7 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate
Lift Lines: Moderate

Visibility: Overcast, with very occasional sunny patches
Snow: 2cm
Piste Condition: Hard pack with icy patches
Wind: Light
Temperature: -2 at the base to -9 at the top.
Crowding: Heavy
Lift Lines: VERY Heavy

Visibility: Bluebird, with occasional cloud
Snow: 1cm
Piste Condition: Chopped powder
Wind: Light
Temperature: -8 at the base to -13 at the top.
Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Heavy

Visibility: Overcast, poor
Snow: 13cm
Piste Condition: Fresh deep snow
Wind: None, increasing to light later
Temperature: -6 at the base to -15 at the top.
Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Heavy

Visibility: Overcast, two cloud layers, poor
Snow: 25cm
Piste Condition: Fresh deep snow, but heavy and getting heavier
Wind: None, increasing to light later
Temperature: -1 at the base to -3 at the top.
Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Heavy

Visibility: Excellent - Blue Bird
Snow: none
Piste Condition: Hard pack, with icy patches and ground showing through
Wind: Light
Temperature: +4 at the base to -4 at the top.
Crowding: Heavy
Lift Lines: Heavy

The Harmony chair has been closed due to a chair "falling off".

Visibility: Excellent - Blue Bird
Snow: none
Piste Condition: Hard pack, with icy patches and ground showing through
Wind: Light
Temperature: -1 at the base to -7 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate
Lift Lines: Moderate to heavy

The Harmony chair has been closed due to a chair "falling off".

Visibility: Excellent - Blue Bird
Snow: none
Piste Condition: Hard pack, with icy patches and ground showing through
Wind: Light
Temperature: -1 at the base to -6 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate
Lift Lines: Moderate to heavy

The Harmony chair has been closed due to a chair "falling off".

Visibility: Good deteriorating to poor
Snow: none
Piste Condition: Hard pack, with icy patches and ground showing through
Wind: Light
Temperature: -1 at the base to -8 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate
Lift Lines: Moderate

Visibility: Good
Snow: 11cm
Piste Condition: Powder with hard pack underneath
Wind: Moderate to heavy
Temperature: -4 at the base to -11 at the top.
Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Light

Visibility: Poor
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Choppy powder with loads of icy patches
Wind: Heavy
Temperature: -4 at the base to -9 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate
Lift Lines: Heavy

Visibility: Poor in the morning, increasing to excellent in the afternoon
Snow: 1-3cm
Piste Condition: Choppy powder with some icy patches
Wind: Moderate to heavy
Temperature: -2 at the base to -7 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate
Lift Lines: Moderate

Visibility: Very good, with light cloud in the afternoon
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Choppy powder with some icy patches
Wind: None to light
Temperature: +4 at the base to -4 at the top.
Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Light

Visibility: Very good, with light cloud in the afternoon
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Choppy powder
Wind: None with light wind in the late day
Temperature: +3 at the base to +4 at the top.
Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Light

Visibility: Overcast with low cloud patches, better light in the trees
Snow: 14cm
Piste Condition: Powder
Wind: Starting off moderate, easing to none
Temperature: +1 at the base to -4 at the top.
Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Varied from light to heavy

Visibility: Overcast with low cloud patches, occasional bright periods
Snow: 1cm
Piste Condition: Light powder on top of hard groomed, with patches of ice
Wind: Moderate dropping to light
Temperature: -0 at the base to -9 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate
Lift Lines: Varied from moderate to heavy

Visibility: Overcast with low cloud patches
Snow: trace
Piste Condition: Heavy snow with icy patches
Wind: Moderate
Temperature: -3 at the base to -9 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Overcast with low cloud patches
Snow: trace
Piste Condition: Heavy snow with icy patches
Wind: Moderate
Temperature: -4 at the base to -9 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Overcast, with extremely poor visibility
Snow: trace
Piste Condition: Heavy and chopped with patches of ice
Wind: Moderate to strong gusts
Temperature: -4 at the base to -8 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Snowing, overcast
Snow: 3-7cm
Piste Condition: Light powder on top of hard pack
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: -7 at the base to -13 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Visibility: Sunny with cloudy periods
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Groomed with large ice patches
Wind: Light.
Temperature: -4 at the base to -8 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Sunny with cloudy periods
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Groomed with ice patches
Wind: Light.
Temperature: -1 at the base to +8 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Sunny with cloudy periods
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Groomed with ice patches
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +0 at the base to +7 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Sunny with light cloud
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Groomed with ice patches
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +0 at the base to +7 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Sunny.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Groomed.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +0 at the base to +9 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light to moderate.

Visibility: Sunny
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Groomed.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +0 at the base to +0 at the top.
Crowding: Heavy.
Lift Lines: Heavy.

Visibility: Sunny
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Groomed.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +0 at the base to +9 at the top.
Crowding: Heavy.
Lift Lines: Heavy.

Visibility: Sunny.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Groomed.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: 0 at the base to +9 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Sunny
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Groomed.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: 0 at the base to +8 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Sunny.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Groomed
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +1 at the base to +5 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Cloudy.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Variable.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +3 at the base to -4 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Rain in the morning, with a very high freezing level.  Getting colder during the day and a very light dusting of snow.

Visibility: Cloudy early, brightening up in the afternoon.  Periods of freezing cloud.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Variable.
Wind: Light to moderate.
Temperature: +3 at the base to 0 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Sunny with cloudy spells
Snow: 12cm
Piste Condition: Loads of powder.
Wind: Light to moderate
Temperature: -4 to -12
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

This morning myslef, Koko and Chris had decided to hir out some Snowscoot "bikes".  It was amazing how cheap they were to hire.  Only 1000 Yen for two hours!  However, trust me, after two hours you are physically drained, so that is more than enough.

We all three headed up top with Stephen (who was skiing) and gave our first go down the slope.  I will say that I took to it virtually straight away, and was very quickly going down the slopes at speed.  Chris and Koko took a while longer but were really getting into it near the end of the two hours.  We did a few easy runs then hit a really steep part of a red run, and it was quickly obvious that none of us had ever ridden these things before!  By the end of the two hours I was looking for hit's, jumps and any kind of varied terrain and was really enjoying it.  The only thing I would say about the bikes is that it really gives you an upper body work out.

After lunch we got back on our boards and did some runs.  The weather was a really bad Wiches V**ina (= Cold, Wet and Nasty).  So we didn't do too many runs.  The powder was really deep and fluffy however, but quite wet.  I also wanted to take Koko and Chris down the off-piste run that I did yesterday.  However, when we got to the top of the run, I went first and immediately hit a drift up to my abdomen.  On trying to hike out, it was obvious that the conditions were quite dangerous so we decided to not hit the back country and instead head on down and catch the bus.

All in all a very entertaining day.

Visibility: Heavy clouds with extremely poor visibility
Snow: 22cm
Piste Condition: Loads of powder, and snowing heavy all day
Wind: Strong to gale force
Temperature: -6 to -14
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Today started off a bit lazy and I just couldn't get going.  I headed straight to the top of Goryu and decided to see if the kicker we built was still in place.  The snow and wind had completely obliterated any signs of the kicker and also the igloo.

I headed on down through the 'alpinaglade' and discovered that the wind had caused a top level of icy conditions.  However there were still areas where the powder was nice and light.  I headed straight on down the slope and down the double black mogul run.  Wasn't that exciting and I just couldn't get motivated.

I headed all the way back to the top again, and this time I was some people I recognised go off into the back country, an area where I had wanted to go.  The only reason why I haven't hit this back-country is that I have no idea where it leads out.  So I headed down as normal, down the piste and when I arrived at the gondola I say some of the people who did the back country.  Hmmm.  This encouraged me to go up and give it a go as I knew that there had to be an easy ride out.

I hit the top of the back country and it was so worth the ride.  There was just so much light powder, the trees were nicely spaced, the terrain was challenging with loads of drops, hits, jumps and amazing carve lines to take me down the slope.  The bottom run out was actually quite scary.  There were loads of trees that you had to duck under, avoid, and all on a very narrow track with a big drop off to the side.

I met Stephen at the top a couple times as he had decided to dig out his Igloo as I did the run again and again and again.  Good riding, just a pity that there was no-one else to enjoy it with me.

Visibility: Sunny with cloudy patches
Snow: 2cm
Piste Condition: Light powder on top, some wind swepped and icy conditions
Wind: None to light
Temperature: -3 to -7
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Headed out for a ride on Saturday as the snow had been falling all night, and I also had a forced day off in the week.  I decided to head on out over to Happo One as I hadn't been there for a while.

The weather was atrocious with full blizzard and white out conditions.  I got all the way to the top and couldn't see a thing.  I knew where I wanted to head and gingerly made my way over to "Sky Line".  At the top of Sky Line I headed to the very right and found what I was looking for.  On the very far right there are some brilliant tree runs.  With the threes there it also provides better visibility as there is a contrast between the snow and trees.  My confidence in my riding made for the tree runs to be much faster and a lot more scary .  I basically hit the same run again and again taking different lines through the trees.  I did actually clip a few trees on the way and cause a few snow slides (but in a very safe and controlled area!).

The weather and my now well worn jacket conspired to me calling it quite an early end to the day.  After 13:30 I was soaked through.  I headed on down the mountain and stayed in the Happo One Ski School to dry off a little.  By the time I dried off I was just simply too tired so called it a day.

Visibility: Complete white out.
Snow: 20-40cm
Piste Condition: Loads of powder with icy conditions underneath
Wind: High to gale force
Temperature: -4 to -14
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Today was a back country kicker building day!  The night before we bought a few large Chu-Hi (Highly alcoholic fruit drink - like a Alco-Pop) and also made dinner.  So the back-pack was loaded and myself and Chris and Koko headed on to Iimori.  We rode on over to the gondola and then to the lift at the top.  At this point Chris and Koko found Stephen, so he teamed up with us.

We headed on up around the top of the mountain to where we had previously had chosen to build the kicker.  I started up the hill and started to build the kicker, with Chris joining me very quickly.  Koko headed off for a couple runs, as she was still recovering from yesterdays crash.  It took myself and Chris about two hours to build the kicker before we were ready to hit it.  It had a short but very steep run in, with a huge run out.  We then broke for lunch to let the sun hit the kicker and melt/solidify.

When we got down to the base spot, we found that Stephen had dug out a huge wind breaker/igloo (without a roof).  Through the day it got deeper and we had an area where Chris and Koko could prepare their dinner, and also dug in 'egg chairs'.  Real good job!

After lunch we then decided to hit it.  Chris went first and it threw him up in the air.  He did say there was too much of a lip, but I thought I'd go anyway.  As such, I made the biggest splash of the day.  The think just threw me and I splashed way down the slope on my back.  The landing was however so soft it didn't hurt.  Through the day we hit it again and again.  Chris had a few spills that cartwheeled him a couple times, and for what ever reason didn't manage to land any, including his 180 attempt.  For what ever reason the kicker just simply wasn't a kicker to spin off (YET...what about tomorrow  ).  I only managed to land the thing three times, each time simple but big and long straight airs, all other attempts resulted in a splash out.

After we had drunk all the Chu-Hi, Koko decided to head on down and Chris decided to go on a Chu-Hi run.  There was a problem here in that Chris had left his jacket, and his lift pass was in it.  It was about an hour before myself and Stephen had worked out that they weren't coming back.  In the mean time we decided to try rolling down the hill whilst videoing it.

The day was getting late and thre was a nice wind lip near where we had built the kicker.  I decided it was time that I hit the wind lip.  The first attempt I got up some speed and went for it.  The landing was a lot harder than I thought but then went real soft.  As such I stacked my first hit.  The second hit, this time again I hit it with speed and I thought that I was going to stick the landing, but on the rid out it got real soft and the nose went in and I flipped.

We were too tired by now and we decided to head on down.  I gathered up Chris's jacket and gloves that he left, all the empty cans, and me and Stephen headed down.  I stopped in at "The Pod" on the way down to wait for Stephen and had a cheeky vodka red-bull.  Myself and Stephen then headed on over to Iimori for the bus.

What a good day.  We hit the Onsen to chill.  I've really caught the sun today and the tip of my nose is burned...OOops.  Sun block on that all day tomorrow me thinks!  Still it can't detract from all the good kicker riding.

Visibility: Blue-bird.
Snow: Dusting
Piste Condition: Bullet proof and icy, with sun crust on top of any powder
Wind: Moderate, decreasing to none.
Temperature: 3 to -1
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Light.

With the weather staying warm once again, todays riding wasn't that great.

In the morning the conditions were at their best, but very quickly turned into slushy conditions with all the blue-bird and sunshine.  We headed to the top of the Iimori lift and hit the trees straight away (myself, Koko and Chris).  We all had a lot more confidence in riding the trees today.  We were just crashing through and brushing the branches away.  Confidence was much better.

We then wanted to head on up to the top as we wanted to ride on over to 47.  Unfortunately it was closed at the top so we had to settle with riding from the top of the Goryu gondola.  Heading down we grabbed every drop and powder that we could find.  The conditions at this time were still great, so we headed down the 38 degrees mogul slope.  Everything was filled with powder so it made for an interesting run.  Hit the deep powder, hit a mogule, get out of control and repeat   Near the top however, Chris and Koko got a good video of Chris and flying powder through the trees.  At the bottom, there was the good dip and real nice powder to crash on through.

We then hit the Iimori park a few times.  Again, for what ever reason the confidence was up and I was hitting the jumps, rails and pipe-rails much faster and better.  This however went a bit wrong for one of us.  Koko hit the up-along-down box and unfortunately took a big tumble and landed hard on her knees.  This forced a coffee stop, while we checked out the damage.  Thankfully with some hot and cold treatment it wasn't too bad.

After that and some positive encouragement given to Koko we headed on up over to the gondola to the top.  This time the runs over to 47 was open, so we headed on over to the new 'breaking the rules' tree run.  Koko was taking it easy and was doing some videos and mostly followed the cat-track.  The run through the trees was great for me and Chris.  As the sun had been beating down on the slopes the conditions of the slopes had really deteriorated.  So when we hit the top of the 47 gondola we decided to call it a day and run all the way to the bottom.  Again, Koko was videoing so we decided to take the cat-track.  Man it was so slow!

Visibility: Blue-bird with occasional patchy clouds.
Snow: Dusting
Piste Condition: Variable, from hard pack softening to spring slush
Wind: None to light.
Temperature: 2 to -3
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Light.

Hike in the morning.  Myself, Chris, Koko and AJ went straight on over to Goryu and straight to the top of the mountain.  We had decided to hike to the top of the Goryu mountain, which we proceeded to do.  It was a very, very hot day today to do a hike and it was a tougher hike than the last time.  The view from the top however on a blue-bird day made up for that fact.  I headed off first, followed by AJ, Koko and Chris followed up the rear.  The ride down this time was more fun, as I pushed it a little more than the last time.  Everyone had a good ride however, and AJ said that his heart was really beating through the exilaration (he hadn't done anything like this before!).

We headed straight on down to the Escal plaza by going the straight route down the mountain.  It was nearly lunch time and we had only technically managed one run .

After lunch we put some runs through the Iimori park.  I was getting more confident on the first jump and was getting to the point of not scrubbing any speed off.  My rail, pipe-rail, and other jumps were all riding well and I was even tempted to try the 'drum tap' jump, but chickened out and jumpy popped the air instead.

After that we headed on over to Hakuba 47.  Whilst on the hike I had noticed that there was an extra out of bounds, through the trees run that we could take that leads onto the green cat trail.  So we headed on over into it and experienced some absolutely great 'silk like' powder through the trees.  There were now some big drops back down onto the cat trail, so they were a bit knarly to undertake but still great.

We then took some runs around Hakuba 47 and also through the park.  The park has been completely re-shaped from the last time I went through and the jumps had gone from a good decent size up to massive.  Had my first big crash on the first jump.  Came in switch and had planned to do a front side 180.  Just didn't spin enough and landed a 90 and ended up going face first down the transition "scorpion" style.  Still, no damage done.

We then headed on back up to the top of the mountain so Chris and Koko could pick up their backpack.  We were all feeling pretty beat so we headed right to the top and walked around the cat-walk to our favorite powder field.  We all just straight lined it all the way to the bottom without stopping once.  Really exhilarating, especially given the speed we were getting. Speed is your friend!

Then end of a tiring but great day. 

Visibility: Very Good.  Blue-bird with occasional patchy clouds.
Snow: None.
Piste Condition: Hard pack.
Wind: None to light.
Temperature: 2 to -5
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Very Good.  Blue-bird morning, clouding over in the mid afternoon.
Snow: <2cm.
Piste Condition: Soft dry powder, but packed down in most places.
Wind: Light to none.
Temperature: 2 to -4
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Light.

Today got of to a real slow start.  Let's just say that yesterdays "couple of beers" turned into some 10 hours of drinking!  *ugh*  I did however get up and dragged AJ on over to Iwatake on the 09:30 bus.  First time for either of us over at Iwatake.  What I can say is that whilst the runs are not very long, they are very wide and open, and there is a load of jibbing to be had all over the place.  Also because of the Japanese mentality of following the rules rigidly, there was loads of powder to be had for us less rully   It's also a perfect resort for those beginner and novice riders with its wide open terrain.

The day started off with is simply cruzing down the slopes looking for hits and powder stashes.  Ideal hangover riding.  We then proceeded to take runs all over the place and I believe that we managed to ride the complete mountain.

We also hit the park in Iwatake.  I do however have to say that given the level of the average rider over there at the time the park was way to big in it's hits.  The very first jump has a very long table on it, and no matter what I did, and riding straight lined from the top, I couldn't get past the knuckle.  The spine however was in great conditions and I made some good hit's from it, along with the bench and rails.  Unfortunately AJ did manage to fall off the rail and bang his head, nothing serious though thank goodness.  We went around again, but it had effected his confidence a little so we decided to hit some more runs.

We simply made our way around the mountain looking for interesting features to hit and powder to ride.  There was just so much to be had!  We even took a ride in switch all the way down one of the upper slopes and practiced our 180's.

Eventually however, the hangover and tiredness caught up and we caught the 16:20 bus out of there.  I might have to go back to Iwatake later, especially when there is another big powder dump, as there is just so much that has not been touched (but we would be breaking the rules!").

Visibility: OK.
Snow: 5-20cm with light snow through the day.
Piste Condition: Soft but wind swepped in places.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: -2 to -7
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

After yesterdays great powder, we all thought today would be a really good day.  Unfortunately we were massively disappointed, and I forgot to GPS track todays riding!  The winds, even at the bottom runs was really strong and whipped up the powder.  As such, there were no lifts or gondolas up the mountain, so we had to settle for the lifts at Iimori and Goryu.

As we thought it would be a good day, we all headed out for the first bus and I took out the big Palmer to take advantage of the powder.  Myself, Koko, Chris, Dan and AJ.  Even though the wind was high the conditions of the slopes were in surprisingly good condition.  We rode everything we could, but had to make it work unlike yesterday.  The runs were super fast and to the sides just in the trees the powder was in good condition.

We all rode as hard as we could and also sessioned the Iimori park for a while.  The Palmer is not great in the park, but we were all hitting the jumps, rails, boxes, and everything else.  I decided to try out the big rail, the up-along-down box and also some spins on the rail-pipe.  The big rail and the up-along-down box are really intimidating, but once you have hit it a couple times you gain the confidence and start to try and hit it faster.  My attempts at spins on the rail-pipe weren't up to much but I didn't stack any.

After lunch we only hit the park and some runs a few times before we decided that the terrible weather conditions had taken their toll and decided to call it an early day.

Let's hope tomorrow the snow continues to fall and that the wind drops away.  Now off to the Onsen for a hot spring bathe and and relax!

Visibility: OK.
Snow: 1-2cm with light snow through the day.
Piste Condition: Wind swepped with some nice powder and some nasty ice patches.
Wind: Gale force.
Temperature: -6
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Powder, powder, powder!

There was a huge dump over night.  Some 20-30cm, and as I was up and early I had the best of it.  Myself, Chris, Koko, Dan and Louka all got the bus over to Iimori.  We arrived so early that the lift wasn't even open!  We shortly got up on the lift however, and the powder was just so deep and sweet.  We made lines through the trees, piste and just everywhere.

The Goryu gondola wasn't running to begin with, but that was no problem as we made the most of the Iimori side, until we saw the gondola start to move.  As such we headed on over and caught the line quick enough so that we were only a few gondolas from being first.

Up top however, it was obvious that there was a load of gusty wind and the top lifts weren't really running.  Again, this did not really matter as we just hit everything we could.  There was a really good double drop pillow hit near the top of the gondola that I managed to hit with good confidence and speed. Magic!  We did as much of the top as we could, riding is some bottom-less powder.  Even the mogul runs down to the base were great and you could really hit the bottom bowl with a lot of speed and just crash through the snow (with loads of weight on the back foot to counter the deep, deep snow).

After lunch the winds were really getting up and the guys had all decided to call it a day, as the good stuff had been tracked out.  I decided to give the gondola another go on my own, and was glad to see that the run over to Hakuba 47 was open, so I took it.  A mistake!

Hakuba 47 at the top gets the wind really bad.  On the way down the double black diamond the wind was so strong, and whipping up the snow so bad that I was getting battered and couldn't even see the board on my feet!  I had to stop there for a bit, as I really could not see a thing, and in the moguls and near the trees it's not a good thing.  I also stopped because a woman had lost here ski in the deep snow and was there on here own.  I stayed until she found her ski and then carried on.

I spend the rest of the day just going up and around all of Hakuba 47 and also the park.  I am really starting to like the park in 47.  The snow in parts was so deep, but wind swepped that you could be in waist deep powder on second and then on scoured ice the next.  After a few hours of taking a battering with the wind, I decided to call it a day...but what a day

Visibility: Poor.
Snow: 20-30cm with snow through the day.
Piste Condition: Loads of fresh light powder.
Wind: Moderate increasing to gale force.
Temperature: -7 to -10
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Today started off a little slow and did not get much better.  Myself, Alex, Chris and Koko headed on over to Hakuba 47.  We headed on up and took a couple runs on-board before heading into the Hakuba 47 park.  I went through the pipe and didn't do too bad and got some really good and high push off the walls.  It was then straight into the jumps and rails.  I pulled a switch 180, small but still felt good.  I then switched over to the box and just did a 50-50.  Over to the bigger jump, and because of the conditions I hit it very much harder than I expected and because I couldn't see the landing it turned out to be a very much bigger jump than I expected.  I then hit the last couple jumps and again I hit it much larger than expected.

We then headed back up the lift to hit the pipe again.  It turns out that Chris hasn't actually ridden a pipe before, so myself and Alex had to persuade him to give it a go.  Alex had borrowed a new board and he had massive toe over-hang.  So for him the pipe just wasn't going to happen.

We then headed up to the top, as we were supposed to meet everyone over at the "Pod" at 11:00.  As there was some nice powder around today with all the snowfall, we hit a few powder drops and a huge load of jibbing spots.  We did however decided to head straight down and through the mogul field.  Even with the new load of fresh powder it was a hell of a lot of hard work.

When we arrived at the Pod there was a very large number of Snowbeds residents in there.  We had a drink and found that one of the guy's had cut his leg badly (clash with his friends earlier up the slope), and after we took a couple photos he headed off to get it seen to. Ended up he needed six stitches.

After the Pod pit-stop we headed on over to the Iimori park.  The wet snow was giving trouble in getting enough speed for the jumps and they were not good.  The rails and boxes were good however.  By now however we were really starting to feel the effects of the effort made (so I was quite sweaty) and the very wet snow conditions.   So we simply got up the lift and rode on over to the Goryu plaza and got the 13:30 bus back.

Visibility: Cloudy.
Snow: 3-8cm with wet snow through the day.
Piste Condition: Light powder with hard packed ice underneath.
Wind: None.
Temperature: 0 to +2
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Blue bird.
Snow: None.
Piste Condition: Hard packed with some patches of ice
Wind: None.
Temperature: +4
Crowding: Heavy.
Lift Lines: Heavy decreasing to none.

It was a long weekend here in Japan and today was the bank holiday Monday.

Visibility: Good visibility in the morning, clouding over and near zero visibility at the top.
Snow: About 5cm.
Piste Condition: Groumed, light and fluffy and wind sweped at the top
Wind: None, increasing to strong.  Decreasing in the afternoon to light.
Temperature: -2 to -8
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Good visibility, with hazy sunshine.
Snow: About 1cm.
Piste Condition: Soft corduroy early, getting sticky and a bit choppy later
Wind: None.
Temperature: -1 to -8
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Poor, cloudy and patchy.  Better in the morning.
Snow: About 9cm, and snowing all day.
Piste Condition: Choppy, but with loads of powder
Wind: Light to none.
Temperature: -1 to -8
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Bright Sunshine until after lunch, then snow filled clouds rolled in and reduced visibility to near zero.
Snow: About 3cm, and snowing in the afternoon.
Piste Condition: Choppy, but with loads of powder
Wind: Light to none.
Temperature: 2 to -4
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Woke up this morning with a might headache.  Probably through dehydration.  I had drunk about 4 liters of water yesterday but probably still not enough, given the altitude and all the exersise.  Unfortunately it stayed with me all day.

Got up this morning and discovered that there was loads of fresh snow on the ground.  So obviously made an effort to try and get out there earlier.  Didn't quite succeed, and again got the 09:30 bus.

The new snow fall was really nice light powder.  The bad news was that it had fallen onto yesterdays choppy runs, and as such it was very, very quickly quite hard going.  It was also snowing all through the day, and currently at 21:00 here is still snowing, if some what rather pitifully now.  Let's hope it's snowing better up the mountain.

Like on any powder day, you can't stop for anyone and you have to try and find those lines quickly.  As there is very little off piste allowed here in Happo One, nearly all the fresh tracks were taken really quite early.  However as the snow was falling all day, things soon filled back up again, only to be ridden again.

I spent most of my day looking for areas where there wasn't the multitude of the weekend warriors.  And also on the look out for more terrain.  I also made a considerable effort to make sure that my technique was good today.  Earlier in the day it' didn't start off great, but those snow legs soon came into their own.  I was soon riding the chop better than I have ever done.  My angulation and inclanation was nearly always spot on.  This made for some really successful riding, as I charged through the chop and powder with less effort and more style than previous.

I must admit that I spent most of the day riding to be what I have found to be the best run in Happo.  I took a couple runs over one side above the ridge and in the trees, but it was hugely tracked out and really quite icy in places.  The other side was quite moguled.  It is something I do have to say about happo, is that there are a lot of moguls around the place.

I ended up going down this really nice cat track and ended up at the far right (looking at the piste map) of the resort where I had lunch.  With my iPod video, I find that whilst eating lunch, I can also watch part of a movie.  Todays movie was the start of Pirates of the Carribean. 

After lunch I just headed back up to my favorite run (need to remember the name of the thing and update this blog entry!).  Did that for a while, headed to the top of the resort, did a few runs there and was heading down the left most run when I decided that my legs had had enough for the day.  So I continued down to wait for the bus.  Unfortunately I had missed the bus by a couple minutes and had to wait a while for the next one.  Thankfully there are heated cabins that you can wait in.

Visibility: Poor.  Low snow filled cloud.
Snow: 15-20cm, and snowing all day.
Piste Condition: Choppy, but with loads of powder
Wind: Light to moderate.
Temperature: -4 to -6
Crowding: Moderate decreasing to light.
Lift Lines: Moderate to light.

Visibility: Bright but hazy, deteriorating to bright but very flat light.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Choppy
Wind: Light to none.
Temperature: -4 to -6
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Birmingham to London Heathrow

Birmingham to Euston

I decided to get the earlier train of 06:40, rather than the 07:15. Partly because I prefer to be early rather than rushing and also because I know what traveling through London is like, having lived there.

So I set three different alarm clocks to go at 05:45. When they went off I got up straight away and started to get ready, and was out the door by 06:15

The night before I trussed up my board bag and holdall into one, so that all I had to do was roll the snowboard bag. Quite a good arrangement. Despite this, the weight eventually tells, when you have to pull it all the way to the train station.

As is becoming usual when traveling on Virgin trains, the seat booking system was not working, and even the carriage lettering wasn't working. So my attempt to book a seat near where there was a bicycle storage facility was thwarted. There simply wasn't enough time to fin the correct carriage and get on the train! So I simply separated the two bags, put the holdall in the regular bag rack, and stacked my board bag in the train door areas.

Other than feeling the compulsion to check on my snowboard bag every 10 minutes the trip to Euston was very uneventful.

I did notice that coming into London there was a lot of fog around. I was a little concerned that this could cause some flight delays.

Euston to Heathrow

Once I unloaded at Euston I headed straight to the underground. I arrived at the station escalator to find a guard roping it off, which would have left me having to hump the bags, in rush hour, down the stairs. Thankfully I got his attention and he let me use the escalator. Probably much to the annoyance of others

I needed to take either the Northern or Victoria line to connect with the Piccadilly line. I plumped for the Victoria line and to change at Green Park. This didn't prove too successful. The platform was absolutely packed. I eventually made my way to the end of the platform where I hoped for a better chance to get onto the train. After about 5 trains, each of which were packed to bursting, I eventually managed to squeeze on with a little help from a kind Australian woman.

After that it was pretty smooth sailing once again.

I got out at Green Park and dragged the bags to the Piccadilly Line. Not a pleasant 'drag' as there was a lot of people.

Once again I headed to the end of the platform to try and get on the last carriage. Once again I let a couple trains go as they were packed. I then managed to get on, to an Rayners Park train, which wasn't the branch I wanted, but I thought that I could change somewhere further along the line and therefore find it easier to get on. This I did at Barrons Court. Only had to wait a few seconds before a Heathrow train, and practically empty at that.

Sat on the train and read a few news papers that were left behind.

Heathrow to Check-In

Once you arrive at Heathrow, there is quite a trek from the tube station to the terminal. Thankfully at that point I could pick up a trolley and put the bags on it.

I scooted my way to the terminal in my usual quick passed fashion and was there in no time.

For my Virgin-Atlantic flight it was in zone A, and to my pleasant surprise it was very quiet.

Check-In

They have this "Three Part Check-In" system, that to me didn't make a single bit of difference. Firstly you have to weigh your own bags. Then you have to scan your passport/booking in a machine and confirm all your details. It them prints you a ticket of kinds.

You then have to go to the normal check-in desks. Having done the other two steps, they then again had to weight the bags and produce new tickets. So to me, it begs the question of why bother? Seams like beurocrasy to me. The check-in took as long as usual and in my view there was no difference.

As is typical, I had to take my snowboard bag on over to the 'over sized' trolley, and with that I was on my way.

Boarding

Security

I quickly progressed through security, as once again there were very little in the way of queues. Probably a benefit of traveling during the week and not the weekend, and of going to a more exotic location.

For a change I didn't have to take my computer out of the bag, which made it easy as I have a plethora of gadgets. After all I am a gadget geek!

There was a second security scanning section in that it was dedicated to scanning your shoes! Many recent travelers will have experienced this, but this is the first time that for me it's been done at a different machine.

I was then on in to the lounge. I had a quick scope around to see what was there and grabbed a quick sandwich for breakfast and a drink. Ahhh! Needed that!

Did the usual mooch around the electrical shops but nothing took my fancy.

Gate Call

I say the boarding gate notification change and made my way to boarding gate 5. I sat down near the entrance door and took advantage of a free newspaper. I only had to wait a few minutes before they started boarding. I could tell that the flight wasn't busy and the boarding call basically allowed everyone to go at the same time.

I settled into seat 59K.

Flight to Narita (Tokyo) Airport

The flight was ready before time, as the flight wasn't fully booked. Looking outside it also looked like the fog had mostly lifted.

As appears to be a common theme, and long may it continue, the flight was very uneventful. Some small minor turbulence points but nothing to bat an eyelid at.

I usually can not sleep when flying. This trip I did actually manage about an hour to an hour and a half, which was great, if completely uncomfortable.

The entertainment systems on board were excellent and the best I have experienced. The screen was large and the system allowed me as an individual to choose what I wanted to watch and fully control the experience. There were about 30 films available, and I could start, stop, fast forward and rewind at will! Now, this is the way that these systems should be like.

I watched three movies, but can't remember what they were at this time.

We arrived early, and I could tell that there were a lot of low clouds and rain. The runway was very wet but it didn't appear to have made any difference to the landing.

Arrival in Narita

As is usual, after disembarking I made my way to passport control, and after a very short line I was in and through. You have to submit to providing a copy of your finger prints of your index fingers and also for them to take a picture. No problem.

I picked up my luggage very quickly, mainly because there were not very many people on the flight, and partly because of the typical efficiency of the Japanese.

Through customs and I headed to the 'Airport Limousine' desk, where I booked my bus to the hotel.

I sat down for a coffee while waiting for the bus, and thought I'd check the GPS tracking. DISASTER! It had only recorded some 27 points! I was sure I checked the settings and that it was recording, but apparently not. So, I reset and set it up for the bus to the hotel. The battery wasn't in good shape either, I just hoped that it had enough to get to the hotel.

Bus to the Hotel Dai Ichi Anex

The weather was drizzly when we set off and I was starting to feel the jet-lag, but this didn't detract me from watching the scenery go past.

I was actually quite disappointed, as there wasn't much of interest to see until we got into the city, and even that was limited. So I only took a few photos on the way.

The bus goes to the Hotel Dai Ichi, where I was dropped off. The Dai Ich Anex is literally only a few meters away and the concierge helped me with my bags. The Japanese people really are so pleasant and helpful. After a short check in I was up to my room. I wasn't sure if I should tip or not, so left it.

Jet-lag and the hotel room

When I got into my room, a few things struck me. Firstly the room was quite small, but to be honest was a good size. There was a large TV and a really good view. There was also a massage chair and foot massage stool, which I proceeded to try out as soon as possible. Man, I'd be tempted to buy one of these! Was so good!

The room had virtually everything automated. The lights, drapes and lace window cover were all controlled from the bed side panel.

I decided that I was going to chill out for a bit and watch a movie on my iPod. Which I did, and was really feeling tired. So went to bed.

I woke up at about 9PM, and whilst I was hungry, I decided that I was still tired and simply went back to sleep, to get ready for the next full day in Tokyo.

Visibility: Sunny with cloudy periods
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Groomed with large ice patches
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: -4 at the base to -13 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate
Lift Lines: Moderate

I earlier posted that I was planning to go snowboarding for Winter 2008 in Hakuba, Japan.  Well, it's all booked!

My current work contract finishes on Friday 25th January.  So, on the Friday night I plan to go out on the piss with friends.  To fly to Japan takes 12 hours and you arrive the next day due to the time difference.  So, rather than flying on a Saturday and arriving on a Sunday, or traveling to London on a Sunday I thought that I would leave departing the UK until the Monday 28th.  I fly out with Virgin Atlantic on the Monday 28th to Tokyo-Narita airport and arrive the next day.

I've always, since I was a kid wanted to visit Tokyo.  This is the perfect opportunity to do so.  So, I've planned for a couple nights stay in Tokyo at a hotel near Shimbashi station.  I plan to do some of the usual touristy things, and more specifically since I am a geek who likes to drink I'll be going to Shinjuku for the gadgets and Roppongi for the nightlife.

Then on Friday 1st February I'll be heading to Hakuba where I'll be staying with Mitch who runs a backpacker hotel called www.snowbedstravel.com for 28 days.  Man are they cheap, and they come extremely highly recommended from "Rodo" a friend of mine.

You should check out the snow reports for the resort.  Oh my dizzy aunt, there is so much snow.  In the last 3 days there has been some 300cm of snow!

Then when the sad day comes on Thursday 28th February, I'll start heading back to old blighty.  It would be too much trouble getting from Hakuba easily and making the flight, so I decided to stay in a hotel near Narita airport for the night then fly the next day, the Friday 29th February.

Again, because of the time zone difference I'll arrive back in the UK, still mid-day on the Friday 29th February, just in time to go out on the piss with friends again

Let me know where you are going for this winter, or if you are heading over to Japan around the same time, let me know as I'm always willing to meet up.

Visibility: Very poor to OK.
Snow: 0cm.  However, it was snowing heavily all day.
Piste Condition: Sticky and very, very wet snow.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: From +9 to -1.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

This will be the last weather report that I give from Whistler this season.  I head back to the UK tomorrow!

Let me know if you used or liked my reports!

Visibility: Great visibility in the morning with light hazy sunshine.  Increasing cloud and poorer visibility later in the afternoon.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Sticky wet snow.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: From +17 to +3.
Crowding: Light to moderate.
Lift Lines: Light to moderate.

Visibility: Foggy everywhere.  Poor visibility.
Snow: 1cm.
Piste Condition: Slushy warm sticky snow.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: From +8 to -3.
Crowding: Light to moderate.
Lift Lines: Light to moderate.

Visibility: Heavy cloud with none to poor to OK visibility.  With some low lying cloud patches.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: It was snowing higher up the slopes and as such put a small dusting of snow on to hard icy conditions.
Wind: Moderate to Strong.
Temperature: From +8 to -3.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Visibility: Bluebird sunshine.  Late afternoon, some light clouds moved in.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Super warm, sticky and wet snow.  Very poor slushy conditions further down the slope.  It is not reccomended that you ride all the way down to the base.
Wind: None.  Moderate wind starting late after noon.
Temperature: From +18 to -3.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate to heavy.

Visibility: Bluebird sunshine.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Very poor.  Super warm, sticky and wet snow.  Very poor slushy conditions further down the slope.  It is not reccomended that you ride all the way down to the base.
Wind: None to light.  The wind was actually warm, when riding to the base!
Temperature: From +22 to -3.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate to heavy.

Visibility: Bluebird sunshine.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Very poor.  Super warm, sticky and wet snow.  Very poor slushy conditions further down the slope.  It is not reccomended that you ride all the way down to the base.
Wind: None to light.
Temperature: From +20 to -4.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate to heavy.

Visibility: Bluebird sunshine.
Snow: 1cm.
Piste Condition: Good, but very slushy in the early afternoon.  Very poor slushy conditions further down the slope.  It is not reccomended that you ride all the way down to the base.
Wind: Moderate to light.
Temperature: From +5 to +13 at the base and from +4 to -10 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate to heavy.

Visibility: Cloudy but OK to poor.  Occasional low lying cloud and some light snow/rain flurries.
Snow: 10cm.
Piste Condition: OK.  The freezing level is quite high, so mostly wet snow higher up.  Very poor slushy conditions further down the slope.  It is not reccomended that you ride all the way down to the base.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +6 at the base -4 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Visibility: Cloudy but OK to poor.  Occasional low lying cloud and some light snow/rain flurries.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Raining/snowing most of the day.  Very poor on piste conditions.  The freezing level is quite high, so mostly wet snow higher up.  Very poor slushy conditions further down the slope.  It is not reccomended that you ride all the way down to the base.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +7 at the base -3 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Visibility: Cloudy but OK.  Occasional low lying cloud and some light snow flurries.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Nice conditions with some areas of crusty snow.  Poorer slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +5 at the base -5 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Visibility: OK to good.  Occasional low lying cloud.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Nice conditions with some areas of crusty snow.  Poorer slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +6 at the base -10 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate to Heavy.
Lift Lines: Heavy.

Visibility: OK to good.  Some small light snow showers with occasional low lying cloud.
Snow: 4cm.
Piste Condition: Lots more fluffy new snow.  Poorer slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +6 at the base -8 at the Peak.
Crowding: Heavy.
Lift Lines: Heavy.

Visibility: OK to good.  Light snow showers with low lying cloud.
Snow: 10cm.
Piste Condition: Lots more fluffy new snow.  Poorer slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +6 at the base -10 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate to heavy.

Visibility: OK to poor.  Light snow showers with low lying cloud.
Snow: 14cm.
Piste Condition: Lots more fluffy new snow.  Poorer slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +8 at the base -8 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Visibility: OK to poor.  Snow all day.
Snow: 22cm.
Piste Condition: Lots of fluffy new snow with poorer slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Moderate to strong.
Temperature: +2 at the base -8 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: moderate.

Felt like winter today!  Loads of new powder, and really really cold too!  It's also been snowing all day today too, so we expect loads of new snow tomorrow.

Visibility: Very poor.  Lot's of snow fall and low fog clouds.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. Heavy new snow with slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Moderate to strong.
Temperature: +4 at the base -6 at the Peak.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Ultra varied.  Heavy snowshowers, followed by low cloud fog periods, followed by brief sun, then repeat often.
Snow: 3cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. Heavy new snow with very slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Varied.  From none to light to moderate to strong gusts.
Temperature: +11 at the base -4 at the Peak.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: A mix of cloud and sun.  Occasional low cloud fog.
Snow: 3cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. Heavy new snow with very slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +13 at the base -4 at the Peak.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Very cloudy, with low lying fog.  Occasional short hazy sunny period, with snow flurries through the day.
Snow: >1cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. Hard packed in the morning, softening up late in the morning, with very slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +12 at the base -4 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Very cloudy, with low lying fog.  Occasional short hazy sunny period.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. Hard packed in the morning, softening up late in the morning, with very slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +10 at the base -4 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Visibility: Cloudy.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. Very icy in the morning, softening up in the afternoon, with slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +11 at the base -6 at the Peak.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Cloudy.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. Very icy in the morning, softening up in the afternoon, with slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +12 at the base -7 at the Peak.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Bluebird with some clouds.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. Very icy in the morning, softening up in the afternoon, with slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Light to moderate.
Temperature: +14 at the base -6 at the Peak.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Cloudy in the morning, becoming brighter in the afternoon.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. Very icy in the morning, softening up in the afternoon, with slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +12 at the base -7 at the Peak.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Bluebird with little cloud.
Snow: 2cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. Mostly hard pack, with slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +10 at the base -5 at the Peak.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Poor but OK visibility.
Snow: 1cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. Mostly hard pack, with slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +7 at the base -7 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Smoke machine clouds, with very poor visibility.
Snow: 1cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. Mostly hard pack, with slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: 0 at the base -7 at the Peak.
Crowding: Very Light.
Lift Lines: Very Light.

Visibility: Smoke machine clouds, with very poor visibility.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. Mostly hard pack, with slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Light to moderate.
Temperature: +1 at the base -7 at the Peak.
Crowding: Very Light.
Lift Lines: Very Light.

Visibility: Very cloudy.
Snow: 2cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. Mostly hard pack, with slushy conditions further down the slope.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +2 at the base -6 at the Peak.
Crowding: Very Light.
Lift Lines: Very Light.

Visibility: Very cloudy, with some brief periods of sun.
Snow: 3cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. From icy to slushy.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +5 at the base -9 at the Peak.
Crowding: Very Light.
Lift Lines: Very Light.

Visibility: Bluebird, later getting cloudy.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. From icy to slushy.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +5 at the base -6 at the Peak.
Crowding: Very Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Cloudy with some sun.
Snow: 3cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. From icy to slushy.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +2 at the base -5 at the Peak.
Crowding: Very Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Cloudy with some sun.
Snow: 3cm.
Piste Condition: Varied. From icy to slushy.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +2 at the base -10 at the Peak.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Cloudy with periods of sun.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Heavy piste.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: 0 at the base -9 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Visibility: Hazy sunshine, wityh few clouds.
Snow: 16cm.
Piste Condition: Heavy powder.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +4 to -1 at the base -4 to -11 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Heavy.

Visibility: Very cloudy with poor visibility.  Snow storms.
Snow: 14cm.
Piste Condition: Heavy powder.
Wind: Moderate to strong.
Temperature: +2 at the base -8 at the Peak.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Cloudy with very OK visibility.
Snow: 20cm.  However, with the high temperature it was heavy and wet.
Piste Condition: Heavy powder.
Wind: Light to Moderate.
Temperature: +6 at the base -2 at the Peak.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Cloudy with very poor visibility.
Snow: 18cm over night, 4cm through the day.  However, with the high temperature it was heavy and wet.
Piste Condition: Heavy powder.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +3 at the base -5 at the Peak.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Cloudy with very poor visibility.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Packed piste with some lite powder.
Wind: Light to strong.
Temperature: +4 at the base -6 at the Peak.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Blue bird.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Packed piste.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: From -6 to +10 at the base and from -3 to -12 at the Peak.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Blue bird.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Packed piste.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: From -5 to +6 at the base and from -4 to -14 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Mostly sunny with some cloudy patches.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Packed piste with some powder stashes.
Wind: Moderate to light.
Temperature: +6 at the base to -9 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: moderate.

Really fealt quite summery today.  Conditions below mid-station were really slushy!  Let's hope that the temperature drops soon!

Visibility: Cloudy with OK visibility until mid afternoon, then bright with sunny patches.
Snow: 4cm.
Piste Condition: Choppy powder.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: -1 at the base to -9 at the Peak.
Crowding: Light to Moderate.
Lift Lines: Light to moderate.

Snowing quite heavy in the morning.

Visibility: Cloudy with OK to zero visibility.
Snow: 9cm.
Piste Condition: Heavy choppy powder.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: -1 at the base to -9 at the Peak.
Crowding: Light to Moderate.
Lift Lines: Light to moderate.

Started snowing late morning, and is still snowing.

Visibility: Cloudy with OK to zero visibility.
Snow: 3cm over night, and 5cm through yesterday.
Piste Condition: Light by choppy powder.
Wind: Moderate increasing to strong.
Temperature: -1 at the base to -11 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

It was snowing all day today.  Light most of the day but increasing to heavy in the late afternoon.

Visibility: Cloudy with poor to zero visibility until late in the day when it was sunny.
Snow: 4cm.
Piste Condition: Packed piste.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: -3 at the base to -9 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Heavy.

Visibility: Cloudy with poor visibility until late in the day when it was sunny.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Packed piste.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: -4 at the base to -11 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate to heavy.
Lift Lines: Heavy.

Visibility: Sunny.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Bashed piste.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: -5 at the base to -9 at the Peak.
Crowding: Heavy.
Lift Lines: Heavy.

Visibility: Summy with some occasional light cloud.
Snow: 0cm.
Piste Condition: Choppy piste.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: -4 at the base to -10 at the Peak.
Crowding: Heavy.
Lift Lines: Heavy.

It's the start of 'Spring Break' here in North America.  Hence for a while it's going to be very busy as all of the students/kids are on holiday.

Visibility: Cloudy with sunny spells.
Snow: 3cm.
Piste Condition: Choppy powder.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: -4 at the base to -14 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Visibility: Varied.  From OK to poor and back again all day.  Even got sunshine on the last run!
Snow: 6cm over night.  14cm during the previous day.
Piste Condition: Powder.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: -7 at the base to -18 at the Peak.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Visibility: Zero visibility!
Snow: 0cm over night.  However, it was snowing heavily all day!
Piste Condition: Powder.
Wind: Strong increasing to gale force.
Temperature: 0 at the base to -10.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Poor to Zero visibility!
Snow: 3cm over night.
Piste Condition: Powder.
Wind: Moderate to strong.
Temperature: -1 at the base to -8.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Very cloudy with limited visibility to zero!
Snow: 24cm
Piste Condition: Powder.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: 0 at the base to -8.
Crowding: Moderate to light.
Lift Lines: Moderate to light.

As the day wore on, and the conditions were bad, the piste got quieter and quieter!

Visibility: Cloudy with periods of sun.
Snow: 14cm
Piste Condition: Powder.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +2 at the base to -8.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Visibility: Everything from blue bird, to zero visibility.
Snow: 4cm.  However, it snowed virtually all day!
Piste Condition: Powder.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +2 at the base to -8.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

It snowed through the day, and meant that the people left the mountain early.  However, it was snowing that hard, that every trip around my tracks were covered, and so had fresh tracks each day.

Visibility: Cloudy with periods of sun.
Snow: 11cm
Piste Condition: Light powder.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +2 at the base to -8.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Cloudy.
Snow: 3cm
Piste Condition: Light powder.
Wind: Moderate to Strong.
Temperature: +2 at the base to -8.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Well, the weatehr reports are back.  I've returned from the UK, and should be here until the end of the season or until the snow run's out.  What ever is sooner.

You may have noticed that I havent been posting any weather reports for the last few days!  There is a perfectly good reason for this.  I am currently back in the UK!

No need to worry though, on Wednesday 01 March 2006, I will be flying back to Vancouver and then back to Whistler again.  I will be staying in Whistler until the end of the season, or until the snow deteriates too much!

So, come back on the Thursday for continued weather coverage

Visibility: Cloudy.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Packed with icy patches.
Wind: Strong.
Temperature: -1 at the base to -10.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Visibility: Cloudy.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Packed with icy patches.
Wind: None to light.
Temperature: -2 at the base to -9.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Visibility: Mostly cloudy with Sunny spells.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Packed with icy patches.
Wind: None to light.
Temperature: -2 at the base to -12 at the top, improving to -5 by afternoon.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate to heavy.

The morning started cold, but again very much warmer during the day.

Visibility: Sunny.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Packed with icy patches.
Wind: None to light.
Temperature: -2 at the base to -12 at the top, improving to -5 by afternoon.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate to heavy.

The morning started cold, but very much warmer during the day.

Visibility: Sunny.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Hard and very icy.
Wind: None to light.
Temperature: -4 at the base to -17 at the top, improving to -12 by afternoon.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

The morning started cold, but very much warmer during the day.

Visibility: Sunny.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Hard and very icy.
Wind: Moderate increasing to strong.
Temperature: -4 at the base to -22 at the top.  With a wind chill factor of -40!
Crowding: Very Lite.
Lift Lines: Very Lite.

Visibility: Sunny.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Hard and very icy.
Wind: Moderate increasing to strong.
Temperature: -8 at the base to -19 at the top.
Crowding: Very Lite.
Lift Lines: Very Lite.

It was bitterly cold on the mountain today.  Requiring an extra layer and also a face mask all day, despite the sunshine.  The increasingly strong winds made the temperature really plummet.

Visibility: Sunny.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Hard Packed and icy.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: -10 at the base to -17 at the top.
Crowding: Lite.
Lift Lines: Lite.

Visibility: Sunny with periods of cloud cover.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Hard Packed and icy.
Wind: Calm to light.
Temperature: -8 at the base to -16 at the top.
Crowding: Lite.
Lift Lines: Lite.

Very, very cold today, and set to be getting even colder.  The coldest weather front for a decade is expected to arrive tomorrow!

Visibility: Cloudy with periods of sunshine.
Snow: 2cm
Piste Condition: Hard Packed.
Wind: Light to moderate.
Temperature: +4 at the base to -9 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate to lite.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

It was very cold today, especially when the cloud and wind came in.

Visibility: Blue Bird.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Packed piste.
Wind: None to light.
Temperature: +2 at the base to -4 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Visibility: Blue Bird.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Packed piste.
Wind: None to light.
Temperature: +2 at the base to +1 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate to heavy.

Visibility: Complete Blue Bird.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Packed piste.
Wind: None to light.
Temperature: -4 at the base to -6 at the top.
Crowding: Very Light.
Lift Lines: Very Light.

A very warm day in the sunshine today, otherwise quite cold in the shade.  Wrap up warm, and slap on the sun cream!

Visibility: Complete Blue Bird.
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Very light dusting of powder on packed piste, with some icy patches.
Wind: None to light.
Temperature: -7 at the base to -11 at the top.
Crowding: Very Light.
Lift Lines: Very Light.

It was a blue bird day today.  The cold nights and high freezing levels have resulted in pistes becoming much more icy.

Visibility: Blue bird, with only occasional clouds.
Snow: 4cm
Piste Condition: Light dusting of powder on groomed piste, with some icy patches.
Wind: None to light.
Temperature: +2 at the base to -9 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

It was a blue bird day today, with only the occasional cloud in the sky.  The cold nights and high freezing levels are resulting in some of the pistes becoming very icy.

Visibility: OK
Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Groomed piste.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +3 at the base to -6 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Looks like the dry spell is here for a while.

Visibility: Excelent to start.  Sunny with whispy cloud, getting heavier until dark.  Bright spells later.
Snow: 2cm
Piste Condition: Groomed.
Wind: None to light.
Temperature: +2 at the base to -6 at the top.
Crowding: Light with periods of moderate.
Lift Lines: Very light.

Visibility: Fair with periods of poor visibility
Snow: 5cm
Piste Condition: Powder.
Wind: Variable.
Temperature: +1 at the base to -8 at the top.
Crowding: Heavy.
Lift Lines: Heavy.

Visibility: Very poor
Snow: 24cm
Piste Condition: Powder.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: 0 at the base to -10 at the top.
Crowding: Heavy.
Lift Lines: Heavy.

Clouds practically all the way from the bottom to the top!

Visibility: OK
Snow: 1cm
Piste Condition: Tracked Powder.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +2 at the base to -9 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Fair with periods of poor visibility
Snow: 12cm
Piste Condition: Powder.
Wind: Moderate.
Temperature: +2 at the base to -8 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Fair with periods of poor visibility
Snow: 14cm
Piste Condition: Powder.
Wind: Light with some strong periods.
Temperature: 0 at the base to -9 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Cloudy with periods of zero visibility
Snow: 10cm
Piste Condition: Powder.
Wind: Very Strong.
Temperature: +1 at the base to -7 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

The wind was very strong today, and caused some really difficult snow blowy conditions that made it impossible to see!

Whistler, BC (Ski Press)-As of 10am this morning, Whistler broke the record for the snowiest month the mountains have seen since weather data collection began 25 years ago. With 46 centimetres (18 inches) of snow in the past 36 hours, January's snowfall accumulation so far is 461 centimetres (181.5 inches). The snowiest month previously was January 1992 at 459 centimetres (180.7 inches.)

"The continuous snowfall this month has been phenomenal," says Sara Aldridge from Whistler Blackcomb's snow and weather communications office. "Most mornings this month we've woken up to fresh snow; we’ve been experiencing perpetual powder days. This is classic Whistler weather – system after system lined up, one after the other, dumping snow on the resort. The locals are in heaven and our visitors are ecstatic."

This month Whistler received fifteen 10+ centimetre (4 inch) snow days. Of those; one was a 50+ centimetre (23 inch) day, three were 40+ centimetre (16 inch) days, four were 30+ centimetre (12 inch) days and one was a 20+ centimetre (8 inch) day. The snowiest day this month was January 13 with 58 centimetres (or 23 inches) of snow.

"I've lost track of all the great lines I've had this month; it has been outrageously good," says Leslie Anthony, Editorial/Creative Director of SKIER Magazine and Whistler resident. "I've experienced this type of weather pattern before but in smaller spurts. This is why I moved to Whistler."

With the record already broken, there's still more snow on the way. Environment Canada is forecasting a possible 20 centimetres (8 inches) over the next several hours.

Visibility: OK.  Cloudy with periods of sunshine
Snow: 40cm WOW
Piste Condition: Amazing powder.
Wind: Light to moderate.
Temperature: +2 at the base to -7 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate.
Lift Lines: Moderate.

Obviously, given the huge snowfall over night, the piste crowding and lift lines were busier than normal.

Visibility: OK.
Snow: 3cm
Piste Condition: Tracked powder.
Wind: Light to moderate.
Temperature: +2 at the base to -10 at the top.
Crowding: Moderate to heavy.
Lift Lines: Moderate to heavy.

Visibility: Poor.
Snow: 15cm
Piste Condition: Powder.
Wind: Strong.
Temperature: 0 at the base to -9 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Bad to OK to Bad again.
Snow: 10cm
Piste Condition: Powder.
Wind: Strong.
Temperature: 0 at the base to -9 at the top.
Crowding: Very, very light.
Lift Lines: Very, very light.

Visibility: Cloudy.
Snow: None
Piste Condition: Bashed piste.
Wind: Strong.
Temperature: +3 at the base to -6 at the top.
Crowding: Very, very light.
Lift Lines: Very, very light.

Again, it is raining in the village.  It looks like we have entered a rather dry period, and there does not look like there is going to be any fresh snow for a while :-(

Visibility: OK.
Snow: None
Piste Condition: Bashed piste.
Wind: Gusty.
Temperature: +3 at the base to -6 at the top.
Crowding: Very, very light.
Lift Lines: Very, very light.

Visibility: Poor Cloudy.
Snow: Trace
Piste Condition: Bashed piste.
Wind: moderate.
Temperature: +3 at the base to -6 at the top.
Crowding: Very, very light.
Lift Lines: Very, very light.

Visibility: Cloudy.
Snow: 1cm
Piste Condition: Bashed piste.
Wind: Strong.
Temperature: +2 at the base to -7 at the top.
Crowding: Heavy to moderate.
Lift Lines: Heavy to moderate.

Currently, it is raining in the village!

Visibility: Cloudy.
Snow: 1cm
Piste Condition: Bashed piste.
Wind: Light to none.
Temperature: -2 at the base to -10 at the top.
Crowding: Heavy to moderate.
Lift Lines: Heavy to moderate.

It looks like, every weekend not surprisingly, loads of people from Vancouver all come up to Whistler for the day/weekend.

Visibility: Blue-bird, with some cloudy patches.
Snow: 14cm
Piste Condition: Tracked powder.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: +2 at the base to -10 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Clowdy, poor visibility.
Snow: 3cm
Piste Condition: Compacted piste.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: -1 at the base to -7 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Patchy, but with some very good bright patches.
Snow: 4cm
Piste Condition: Packed powder.
Wind: Light.
Temperature: 0 at the base to -7 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

After all of the snow fall over the last few weeks, it's slowed down.  Therefore it's now all being bashed and flattened, not just by the piste bashers, but by all of the people.

Visibility: Poor, wish some bright patches.
Snow: 14cm
Piste Condition: Crunchy powder.
Wind: Variable.  Light to strong
Temperature: 0 at the base to -7 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Light.

Visibility: Poor.
Snow: 30cm overnight, also snowed heavily all day (except 1 hour)
Piste Condition: Deep crisp powder.
Wind: Variable.  Light to strong
Temperature: 0 at the base to -9 at the top.
Crowding: Light.
Lift Lines: Heavy.

It appears that today, it was busy because there was a 'college weekend'?  I suppose that it could be to do with the NFL playoff weekend!