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NISEKO’S ski season is unofficially open after significant snowfalls overnight left up to half a metre of powder up high, with locals hiking up for first runs.It unexpectedly started snowing at village level across Niseko at about 7pm last night and by this morning a solid amount of snow had accumulated on the main runs and on cars and grass.Forecasts suggested there wouldn’t be any snow at village level for a few days yet.Niseko ski instructor Mike Richards may well have been the first skier to descend a Niseko resort this season.After hiking to the 1000m hut and skiing Centre Course, he followed some well covered roads to the bottom, along the way finding plenty of boot-deep powder.“Up top the pistes were fully covered and the roads were really well covered,” Mike said.

“A few bits were sticking on the main runs so I came down on the road but I still got a few turns in.”

Thanks to Powderlife Niseko & Mike Richards for photo!