Start with the upper-mountain wind and cloud line. The headline number only helps once you know whether cold inland air is the pattern to watch. With a 1280 to 2077 metre elevation band and 797 metres of vertical, the trees and upper storm laps hold soft snow well after the open faces are worked. A seasonal baseline around 9 metres means small clean refills matter more than waiting for a giant number. The swing variable is whether the upper lift can run with enough visibility to make the top worth using. If you are looking beyond the ropes, only chase that angle when the forecast also shows settled wind and stable visibility. Chase it when 10 to 20 cm lands overnight with light to moderate wind; if gusts climb, make it a sheltered-tree day.
See which resorts in Hokkaido are getting the best 24 hour totals and the next two days of snow.
