The last two days in Hakuba's backcountry have been great. Lots of touring and vertical skied. Both days about 1500m climbed and over between 800m and 1200m skied. On sheltered north aspects we are still getting plenty of soft snow, and it is fast. Higher up from 2450m we are getting great wind buff. On south aspects above 1900m we have great spring conditions. This is all despite very warm temperatures in the valley, as in +15 degrees C. Two of my best days this season, back to back with two good touring partners and some new skis that are amazing.

On north aspects between 2400m and 1800m there is 30-60cm of soft snow, sometimes hard slab, above a few cm of facets on the Feb 11 rain crust. In places the facets produce easy shears, in other areas the bond with the crust is good. Check for yourself, but look for it.