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Monday 8th February 2010, 11:17AM
Weather conditions:	Cloudy with occasional snow
New snowfall:	0cm
Snow depth:	Current Official Snow Depths: Grand Hirafu: Top - 295 Bottom - 180 Niseko Village: Top - 370 Bottom - 230 Annupuri: Top - 315 Bottom - 210
The winds of yesterday died down in the afternoon and overnight it was mostly fine with only the odd flurry of snow but no accumulation. The snowpack has become much more stable and today all gates are expected to open allowing people to access some fresh tracks. Careful though around cornices which are still quite unstable. It actually got a bit cooler last night than expected getting close to -10 in the valley. It is warming up though and is currently just a couple of degrees below freezing at village level and there is some light snow falling. Slightly cooler temps expected for the remainder of the week and some snow coming through Tuesday night into Wednesday as a low pressure system passes just north of us. A bit more snow later in the week but currently nothing big. Hopefully something substantial will hit us next week. Current Official Snow Depths: Grand Hirafu: Top - 295 Bottom - 180 Niseko Village: Top - 370 Bottom - 230 Annupuri: Top - 315 Bottom - 210 Avalanche Information: Niseko Avalanche Info No.55 Moiwa base 6am: -6℃, no new snowfall. Coastal data: SSW2m/s at Benkei cape, W9m/s, 2m waves and 1018hPa at Kamui cape. The sea and the mountains are both calm and there are no new developments of snowdrifts. Annupuri peak: SW10m/s, -10℃. The snow on top of Jan 31st layer is rounding and stable. Snow temperature stagnating around -11℃ until 90cm, and -8℃ below Jan 31st layer. The snow on the ridgelines exposed to the strong wind has changed to hard crust and is difficult to ski. The cornices have grown big and are unstable. Stay away from them as they could collapse anytime. The overall avalanche risk is moderate, however slides from Jan 31st layer are still to be considered in some 40°slopes with compacted drifted snow. Better not stimulate slopes around cornices, knolls and cliffs. The snow below timberline is good. Peak gates are scheduled to open at 10:00. Listen to the ski patrol’s instructions. Have a nice day.

Sunday 7th February 2010, 10:44AM
Weather conditions:	Clear
New snowfall:	20cm
Snow depth:	Current Official Snow Depths: Grand Hirafu: Top - 300 Bottom - 190 Niseko Village: Top - 370 Bottom - 230 Annupuri: Top - 315 Bottom - 210
The blue skies didn't last yesterday and in the afternoon strong winds and heavy snow fell creating blizzard like conditions all around the resort. The heavy snow passed through fairly quickly though and was followed by a few bands of lighter snow overnight. All up around another 20cm of snow since last report. The strong winds though continued through the night and into today and have caused significant drifting on the upper mountain. Rapid loading of lee slopes is causing extreme avalanche conditions and all gates are expected to remain closed today. Temperatures have warmed considerably in the last 24 hours also, it's still below freezing and currently there it is partly cloudy with occasional snow flurries. The winds appear to be abating a little and more lifts have opened as the morning has progressed. Top lifts around the resort are still on wind hold. Tomorrow is expected to get quite mild and the temp at village level may even get slightly above freezing. It is the warmest day in the outlook and from Tuesday temps should remain below freezing. With no gates open and top lifts closed all inbound off-piste areas will get tracked out pretty quickly today. Hopefully the wind will abate and the gates can reopen in the next day or so. Current Official Snow Depths: Grand Hirafu: Top - 300 Bottom - 190 Niseko Village: Top - 370 Bottom - 230 Annupuri: Top - 315 Bottom - 210 Avalanche Information: Niseko Avalanche Info No.54 Moiwa base 6am: -6℃, 20cm of mixed hail and amorphous crystal snow. Coastal data: NNW14m/s at Benkei cape, NNE12m/s, 4.3m waves and 1014hPa at Kamui cape. Annupuri peak wind: NW31.1m/s. The wind at the peak has been stagnating around 30m/s north-westerly since 3pm yesterday. The snowdrift developments are drastic, up to 150cm and still developing in leeward slopes just below the ridgeline around 1000m. However, discontinuous snow layers are present within the newly formed snowdrifts due to the pause in the wind yesterday morning. These suddenly developed snowdrifts above 800m contain many weak lines within the accumulation and could potentially trigger a 60cm thick slide with the slightest stimulation. According to all data evaluations, avalanche hazard is extreme in all Shiribeshi area. All gates will be closed today. Hazardous condition will continue even if the wind calms down. Remain inbounds today.

Saturday 6th February 2010, 12:25PM
Weather conditions:	Clear
New snowfall:	20-25cm
Snow depth:	Current Official Snow Depths: Grand Hirafu: Top - 320 Bottom - 200 Niseko Village: Top - 370 Bottom - 230 Annupuri: Top - 315 Bottom - 210
Today is the sort of day we all dream about. Fresh powder and bluebird skies. Doesn't happen all that often in Niseko so you better be up there enjoying it (unlike myself stuck in the office working!). We did get an hour or so of moderate snow earlier this morning but it's cleared up nicely now. With over a metre of fresh snow during this last week with very cold temperatures and at times quite windy with poor visibility to have it culminate on a day like today is pretty special. The only downside is that the peak gates look like remaining closed due to avalanche danger. Still plenty of other terrain out there with fresh tracks to enjoy in the sunshine. It's still cold and quite a few people this last week have suffered from frostbite on exposed skin. Today there is still a reasonable risk of frostbite up high even with the sun out so make sure you cover up. The current sunny break won't last all day with more snow on the way. Currently it is snowing heavily just to the west of the resort and this will move back over us later. Tomorrow will become a lot milder after what has been one of the coldest weeks I've ever experienced here. Temperatures look like getting up to just under freezing at village level. Snow is still forecast though through into Monday. It then looks like a bit of break from the snowfalls mid week before another snow system next weekend. Current Official Snow Depths: Grand Hirafu: Top - 320 Bottom - 200 Niseko Village: Top - 370 Bottom - 230 Annupuri: Top - 315 Bottom - 210 Avalanche Information: Niseko Avalanche Info No.53 Moiwa base 6am: -15℃, 20cm of amorphous snow with crushed hail in the past 12 hours. Coastal data: WNW10m/s at Benkei cape, NE2m/s, 1.3m waves and 1002hp at Kamui cape. Annupuri peak wind: NNW11.8m/s at 6am, recorded SW30m/s during the night. The wind temporarily calmed down but is predicted to pick up later today. The snowdrift development is irregular due to intermittent wind and the low temperature makes the stabilization process slow. According to all data evaluation, possibilities of a 60cm heavy soft slab avalanches are high in 1100m knoll/cornice terrain. Potentially triggered by the irregularity in Feb 5-6th snowdrifts, or the weak lines (or “weak layers” in Japanese experts’ language) within those snowdrifts. Gate 3 (Hirafu peak) and 4 (Fujiwara) will be closed for the sake of all resort users. Gate 2 (Annupuri) and 6 (Moiwa) are scheduled to open at 10:00. However, it is strongly recommended to avoid steep knoll and cornice slopes, better stay in the trees. Peak hike from Annupuri gate will be restricted. Don’t duck rope to ski Mizuno no sawa, participate the educational program or you will have your lift pass confiscated. We strongly demand all skiers and boarders to respect the Niseko Rules.

Friday 5th February 2010, 11:31AM
Weather conditions:	Snowing
New snowfall:	30cm+
Snow depth:	Current Official Snow Depths: Grand Hirafu: Top - 320 Bottom - 200 Niseko Village: Top - 360 Bottom - 220 Annupuri: Top - 310 Bottom - 210
The snow just keeps on coming. Not massive amounts but more than enough to freshen the surface daily and continue the awesome conditions out there. Since last report we've another 30cm at least. This morning saw some particularly heavy snow falling. The only downside today is that the winds are up and the top lifts are closed along with the gondolas in Niseko Village and Annupuri. Hirafu gondola is still currently running. The snow should continue through the weekend but from Sunday a ridge of high pressure will push out over Honshu and start directing a milder airstream over Hokkaido. Temperatures will warm considerably and we can expect maximums of close to freezing at village level through the early part of next week. Current Official Snow Depths: Grand Hirafu: Top - 320 Bottom - 200 Niseko Village: Top - 360 Bottom - 220 Annupuri: Top - 310 Bottom - 210 Avalanche Information: Niseko Avalanche Info No.52 Moiwa base 6am: -11℃, 25cm of crystal snow over the past 12 hours. Coastal wind: W13m/s at Benkei cape, W8m/s, 1.2m waves, 1009hp at Kamui cape. Annupuri peak: S8.4m/s, -18℃. Total snowfall in the past 5 days has reached 150+cm in strictly off limits “Haru no Taki”. The snow is forming a thick slab due to sun effect and hazard of a 120cm thick avalanche from Jan 31st layer is rising this morning. Surface slab slides within 30cm are also to be highly considered in 1100m areas around the cornices of Higashi-one. No notable slabs are present in the tree below 800m and the avalanche risk is moderate below tree line. Peak gates are scheduled to open at 10:00. Outside the gates is not the resort any more. Do you have your beacon switched on? Correct evaluation and judgment is required in the backcountry. Think again about all possible risks you’re taking before you step out. Have a safe day.

Thursday 4th February 2010, 9:56AM
Weather conditions:	Snowing
New snowfall:	15-20cm
Snow depth:	Current Official Snow Depths: Grand Hirafu: Top - 310 Bottom - 190 Niseko Village: Top - 360 Bottom - 220 Annupuri: Top - 305 Bottom - 200
Another 15-20cm of very dry snow since last report and this morning around first lifts the sun actually made a brief appearance. So for those up early there were perfect fresh lines in bright sunshine, it doesn't get much better than that! The snow has returned now though. Today has warmed a little and it's currently around -10 at the base and -16 up high. Hopefully we'll get up to a balmy -8 at village level later! A weak low is going to develop just to the NW of Hokkaido later today which will intesify the NW airflow tomorrow continuing the cold and snowy weather for the next couple of days. The snow should taper off later on Sunday and Monday will be a little mild (temps getting up around freezing) ahead of the next system moving through. Will be a great day up on the mountain today with fresh tracks all over the resort. Still need to rug up if heading high or especially if climbing the peak as windchills up there will still be down around -30. Current Official Snow Depths: Grand Hirafu: Top - 310 Bottom - 190 Niseko Village: Top - 360 Bottom - 220 Annupuri: Top - 305 Bottom - 200 Avalanche Information: Niseko Avalanche Info No.51 Moiwa base 6am: -13℃, 15cm of fresh snow in the past 12 hours. Coastal data: WNW11m/s at Benkei cape, WNW 11m/s, 1.6m waves and 1013hp at Kamui cape. The atmospheric pressure gradient over the Sea of Japan is gently shelving today and moderate wind and snow is persisting. The snowdrifts development is irregular due to on and off wind and could slide at 20cm or 60cm depending on slopes, however is stabilizing with time. According to data evaluation, the general avalanche risk is moderate. Peak gates are scheduled to open at 10:00. Riding one by one is strongly recommended in deep & steep knoll terrain or in widely open slopes with heavy wind affected snow. Annupuri peak report: -18℃, WSW10m/s, relatively calm but very cold. According to overall snowfall transition and slope characteristic, possibilities of a major slide from near ground level if rising in the west face of Annupuri around 1000m. Predicted scale, 200cm+ thickness, running all the way down to the road, extremely destructive. Always ride one by one, keep space between skiers and avoid skiing along the avalanche path. Rescue cannot be expected all the time. Keep in mind that you’re stepping out to a severe mid-winter mountainous area once you step out of the gates. Nice and fast snow today.

Wednesday 3rd February 2010, 9:36AM
Weather conditions:	Snowing
New snowfall:	35cm
Snow depth:	Current Official Snow Depths: Grand Hirafu: Top - 300 Bottom - 190 Niseko Village: Top - 350 Bottom - 210 Annupuri: Top - 300 Bottom - 200
It's very cold out there this morning. From around -15 at village level to -23 up at the peak. With winds up high at around 60km/hr we're talking wind chill factors down around -40 degrees. So if you're heading up higher today you really need to rug up and cover up. Exposed skin could easily become frostbitten in the time it takes to catch a lift up. We've had up around 35cm of snow overnight and as you can imagine at these temperatures it is very, very dry. Currently still snowing moderately. Today will remain very cold but tomorrow will warm a few degrees so it will only still be really cold. Snow and a fair amount of wind will continue through to the weekend. Should be great condition all around the resort today if you can manage to withstand the cold to stay out there for long. Current Official Snow Depths: Grand Hirafu: Top - 300 Bottom - 190 Niseko Village: Top - 350 Bottom - 210 Annupuri: Top - 300 Bottom - 200 Avalanche Information: Niseko Avalanche Info No.50 Moiwa base 6am: -15℃, 35cm of wind effected crystal snow overnight. Coastal data: WNW 16m/s (19m/s at 3am) at Benkei cape, W9m/s, 2.7m waves, 1008hp at Kamui cape. Annupuri peak wind: WSW 12/0m/s. Moderate snow and wind has persisted due to the weak winter weather pattern and made the snowdrifts to develop slowly. Maximum development of snowdrift in 1100m western areas grew up to 120cm. The surface 20cm partially formed soft slabs and are easily collapsible. The lower layer is rounding and starting to stabilize. No distinguished unstable layer can be observed. 7am peak report: -23℃, W18m/s and 20cm of fresh snow. General avalanche risk is moderate however still considerable in steep 40°knoll terrain and around cornices. Peak gates are scheduled to open at 10:00, but may close anytime depending on conditions. Hazards are not just avalanches, the cold weather deadens all functions. There’s been a tree collision accident yesterday in Hogashi-one 3rd gully. Be aware of all possible dangers. Do not drop into a widely open slope all at the same time, it could stimulate deeper layer and trigger a major slide. The snow is slow due low temperature. Have a nice day.

PLEASE NOTE:
The Avalanche Information posted in our reports is provided courtesy of the Niseko Avalanche Insitution. For more information as well as the Niseko Rules 2009/2010, please read this.

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