Looking over towards the ski runs of Goryu from the Olympic road

There is an air of excitement in Hakuba with the snow level dropping down to 850 meters and the dreams of another epic season about to start. People are frantically preparing for the inevitable dumpage of huge amounts of snow. Some are changing their cars over to snow tyres and adding anti freeze to the radiator and wipers. Others are marking out the roads and paths with large bamboo sticks and putting up barriers to stop the snow damage to their buildings. It’s a busy time but with most people here being skiers or boarders there is a smile on everyone’s face when they look up and see the snow line.