In the the first four years we lived on the side of the mountain, it snowed maybe 10 times. I think the deepest was about 5 cm.
This year- no wait, this February it has snowed 8 times, for a total of about 50cm! (Of course it all melted already).
But it was enough for the kids and I to go out and make a "Kamakura." Pile up snow and pack it down, until it is as high as you can make it. Then just dig it out with a garden shovel.
Good fun.
