Earliest Snowfall Since Records Began at Ski Resort in Japan

Earliest Snowfall Since Records Began at Ski Resort in Japan

One of Japan’s most northerly ski areas has reported its earliest ever snowfall – on the morning of August 17th.

The snow, on Mount Kuro in the Daisetsuzan Mountains, was reported at the top station of the Daisetsuzan Sōunkyō Kurodake lift, the most northerly cable car in Japan, located on the country’s famous ski island of Hokkaidō, home to numerous ski resorts with a reputation for deep powder in winter including world-famous Niseko.

Most of Japan is still in mid-summer mode, and there have recently been record-breaking hot weather in the country, but a cold front crossing the Sea of Japan brought the winter-like conditions even before autumn has arrived.

The snowfall at the ski area near the town of Kamikawa, beat the previous record for first snow set back on August 21st, 2002.  Records go back to 1974.

(Image provided by lift operator Rinyū Kankō)