WHOLE MOUNTAIN TO OPEN AT HOTHAM THIS WEEKEND!

Hotham Alpine Resort has more great news to report with a further 31cm of snow falling overnight, bringing our three day snowfall total to 64cm so far with still more snow in the forecast!

As a result of this perfect alpine weather including snowladen blizzards, Blue Ribbon Chairlift will open tomorrow and as of Saturday, the whole mountain will be open with Gotcha, Keogh’s and Orchard chairlifts all set to see some action too.

Skiers and boarders will have reason to celebrate as these four lifts didn’t open after mid August in 2010.

The Basin Rail Park will be open this weekend with the first event of the A la Carte in the Park series that night, The Cheese and Crackered Rail Jam. Cobungra Platter Beginner lift at Dinner Plain also opened today.

The average natural snowdepth is currently 98cm - looking good for riding on a solid metre base by the weekend! Hotham’s grooming team has been hard at work to get the whole mountain open so early.

Early openings of Heavenly Valley Chairlift will also start this Saturday with the lift spinning from 7.30am for first tracks. This program is no extra cost with a valid lift pass and operates from Wednesday – Sunday each week (snow and weather dependent).

Don’t forget you can celebrate and ride Fri, Sat, Sun OR Sat, Sun, Mon THIS WEEKEND ONLY (8-11 July 2011) for $199 when you join the Snow Rewards Club for $49.

Hotham’s famous sparkling sunset tours will also be back in operation from tomorrow night. Bookings essential at Guest Services for this truly memorable snow experience which sees guests travel to the summit of Mt Hotham in a heated Kassbohrer Kat to enjoy the sunset with drinks and nibbles.

Grab your snowchains at the new Hotham Sports Store in Harrietville on your way up to Hotham. Snowchain hire is FREE when two or more people hire skis/boots/poles OR snowboard/boots for any number of days. It’s the ONLY one stop shop off-mountain on the way to the mountain to get chains, lift tickets, resort entry, equipment hire and clothing.

There are also some awesome accommodation package deals starting at $340 per person for 2 nights accommodation, 2 day lift tickets and breakfast… Call the team at Hotham Holidays on 1800 HOTHAM or email holidays@hotham.com.au Ask about last minute deals on accommodation only or lift/hire packages for your next snow holiday. Book today and SAVE!

For further information visit www.hotham.com.au.

The snow keeps falling and we had a dusting overnight in Niseko

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15 lifts, the bag jump, adventure park and terrain park are up and running.
Wind chill is down to - 15 degrees with a day time high of - 6.
Moderate winds should be between 15 to 30km/hr. Going back country carry required avalanche beacon, watch for wind drifts and check at lift stations for gate status.

Snow is forecast to continue to fall today and through the night with a chance of some sun tomorrow.

We had quite the snowstorm yesterday in Niseko with 10 to 15cms falling overnight.

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Wind chill should see temperatures down to -22 with a top of -4 degrees. Its possible that some lifts will be subject to wind conditions today. It's a requirement to have an avalanche beacon in the backcountry, watch for wind drifts and check at lift stations for gate status. Winds are forecast to progressively drop over the next few days

Everyone was raving about their fresh lines yesterday in Niseko

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Light winds today increasing into the evening.

Japans First BagJump Event - April 3rd Hanazono Niseko Japan

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BAGJUMP MANIA - Hanazono April 3rd

The categories are below and anyone can participate, lots of prizes and giveaways.

Grommets (15 & under Snowboard or ski) Guys

Grommets (15 & under Snowboard or ski) Girls

Chicks (16 39) Ski

Chicks (16 39) Snowboard

Guys (16 39) Ski

Guys (16 39) Snowboard

Old School Guys (40+)

Old School Girls (40+)

Fun for the whole day and a dance party in the evening at Hanazono Niseko.it is free to enter the comp.

Snow has started to fall and should get heavier as the day continues in Niseko

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Most lifts, the adventure park, bag jump and the terrain park should be up running. Check out www.skihanzono.com

BAGJUMP MANIA in Hanazono Niseko Japan

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BAGJUMP MANIA - Hanazono – April 3rd

The categories are below and anyone can participate, lots of prizes and giveaways.

• Grommets (15 & under Snowboard or ski) – Guys
• Grommets (15 & under Snowboard or ski) – Girls
• Chicks (16 – 39) Ski
• Chicks (16 – 39) Snowboard
• Guys (16 – 39) Ski
• Guys (16 – 39) Snowboard
• Old School Guys (40+)
• Old School Girls (40+)

Fun for the whole day and a dance party in the evening….it is free to enter the comp.

20cms fell overnight here in Niseko at the 308. Epic conditions with yesterday and today’s fresh snow.

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The fun for all bag Jump competition will be held on the 3rd of April with party to follow.

Unbelievable spring conditions! 15cms of fresh blanketed Niseko in the white stuff

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The Adventure Park will open with snowmobiling, rafting and more.

Snowfalls are expected over the next few days, which should keep topping up the base nicely.

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Recent Shower activity should give way to cooler temperatures and light snow should develop about the mountain today.

The Hanazono Dream Bowl and Gentemstick event yesterday in Niseko was crazy

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The turnout for the event yesterday in the Hanazono Dream Bowl was fantastic. With a bag jump, halfpipe, dream bowl and powder. Hanazono is a playground of ultimate fun.

Strong winds and snow showers are forecast for today in Niseko

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The practice sessions are on today in the Hanazono Dream Bowl for tomorrows Gemtemstick event.

Amazing pow with local legend Yasuyuki Shimanuki

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Yasuyuki Shimanuki gets some super dry waist deep Powder off Hanazono 2 in Niseko Japan. Niseko is off the Hook with the amount of powder it gets... They say it has the best lift accessible Backcountry Powder on the Globe

Final preparations are underway for the Hanazono Dream Bowl Gentemstick event this weekend in Niseko Japan

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Wind chill should see temperatures down to -14 with a top of 1 degree.

It’s nearly half way through March and the snow pack is holding up well in Hanazono. Around 2mtrs at the base and over 4 mtrs up top.

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Around the mountain: Wind chill should see temperatures down to -16 with a top of -2 degrees.

Snow showers are expected today in Niseko after 2 amazing days on the mountain

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Around the mountain: 17 lifts and the terrain park should be up running with the bag jump scheduled to open around 11am. Winds should be generally light around 10 to 20km/hr. Windchill we see temps down to -17 with a change due on friday giving a good snowfall on the peak.

Nice to see another 20cms fall overnight here in Hanazono Niseko.

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Snow showers are forecast for today with a chance of some sun this afternoon.
Around the mountain: Light winds with wind chill seeing temperatures down to -20 and a top of -4 degrees.

Temperatures are super cold today down to -24 wind chill and we had around 10cms of fresh overnight in Niseko.

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Around the mountain: Most lifts and the terrain park should be up running with the bag jump scheduled to open around 11am. Winds should be generally light around 10 to 20km/hr.

Tempers are on the decline in Niseko and we are expecting mostly cloudy days ahead with snow showers forecast through next week.

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It's the Slope Style Pro and the last points gaining event to mark the Terrain Park Series Finalists. 6 lucky people today will share in the total prize pool of 200000 yen. Come over and watch them battle it out.

17 lifts and the bag jump should be up and running. Winds should be around 10 to 30km/hr. The afternoon will get cooler with wind chill seeing temperatures down to -20 and a top of -1 degree.

Skiing crazy deep powder in Waterfall Niseko スキー

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Yasuyuki Shimanuki gets some super dry waist deep Powder off Hanazono 2 in Niseko Japan. Niseko is off the Hook with the amount of powder it gets... They say it has the best lift accessible Backcountry Powder on the Globe