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| Lastest Update: Thursday 7th May 2009, 6:09PM |
| New snowfall |
- |
| Previous
day |
- |
| Current snow depth |
Snowdepth reporting has finished for the season. All resorts now closed. |
| Temperature bottom |
14 |
| Temperature top |
2 |
| Weather condition |
Clear |
| Wind condition |
light to moderate |
| Visibility |
Excellent |
| Lift operation |
Lifts have closed for the season. |
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| Thursday 7th May 2009, 6:09PM |
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| Weather conditions: |
Clear |
| New snowfall: |
- |
| Snow depth: |
Snowdepth reporting has finished for the season. All resorts now closed. |
Well that's all folks! With the Golden Week holidays finishing yesterday so has the running of the lifts. We couldn't have asked for much better weather for the holiday period with bluebird days, mild to warm temps and nice cool nights. There's even some sakura (cherry blossom) appearing around the village. The narrow strip of snow allowing skiing to the base in Hirafu didn't quite last out till the end of the holiday and the last couple of days people had to download on the lifts. Still people seemed to really enjoy the great weather and views.
Overall not a bad season but certainly not an epic one either. Snowfall was once again below average and there were a few more rain days than what we'd normally expect but there were still a huge number of awesome powder days as those who've followed Mikepow's reports and photos in the forums would know. It's one of the great things about being at one of the snowiest ski areas on the planet, even in a below average season it's still better than most other ski resorts.
There's still quite a lot of snow up on the Annupuri Range so plenty of opportunities for some backcountry turns over the coming weeks and the risk of some serious sunburn. The leaves are finally coming back on some of the tress in the valleys and our thoughts are turning to more summer activities which are plentiful here in Niseko. There's a local saying here that we come to Niseko for the snow and skiing but we end up living here because of the summer.
Anyway I hope everyone enjoyed the reports and I'll endeavor to add a few updates now and then to highlight some of the events here through the green season. Thanks and see you all again next season! |
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| Monday 4th May 2009, 9:23AM |
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| Weather conditions: |
Partly cloudy |
| New snowfall: |
0cm |
| Snow depth: |
Grand Hirafu:
Top - 200cm
Bottom - 5cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 200cm
Bottom - 5cm
Annupuri:
Top - 150cm
Bottom - 30cm
|
We're now into the last few days of this season and the weather has been very mild over the last week with temps reaching up into the low 20's one day. This coming week will continue with mostly fine and mild weather with temps in the mid to high teens. The snow has been retreating quite rapidly and the thin strip of snow at the bottom of Hirafu allowing people to ski out to the base is now very thin indeed. There is still a good cover up higher on the mountain of between 1.5 and 2m.
We're now into Golden Week which is just about the biggest holiday of the year in Japan and it's pretty busy around town and up on the hill. The holiday finishes on Wednesday and that will also be the last day the lifts operate.
There will be one final Now report of this season when I'll wrap up the season that was.
Current Official Snow Depths:
Grand Hirafu:
Top - 200cm
Bottom - 5cm
Annupuri:
Top - 150cm
Bottom - 30cm
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| Monday 27th April 2009, 9:48AM |
|
| Weather conditions: |
Cloudy |
| New snowfall: |
20cm+ |
| Snow depth: |
Grand Hirafu:
Top - 270cm
Bottom - 15cm
Niseko Village:
No longer updating snow depth
Annupuri:
Top - 195cm
Bottom - 45cm |
Well since last report there's been quite a bit of the white stuff falling on our mountains. Last Thursday a few flurries of snow fell right to village level causing a bit of excitement around town. Then on Friday a stronger system approached and as the weekend progressed the freezing level dropped and wet snow fell to village level Saturday night and Sunday. The system moved just a little to the south and east of us and we missed out on s the heaviest snow band as some areas reported more than 40cm falling. Still up on top of Annupuri there''s been more than 20cm fall so Mikepow may actually be able to get some boot deep turns after all! Today though there are very strong winds about and only the Ace quad is currently running.
The coming week is expected to warm considerably with temps in the high teens by next weekend. So this last little snowfall may well be the very last gasp of this winter.
Current Official Snow Depths:
Grand Hirafu:
Top - 270cm
Bottom - 15cm
Niseko Village:
No longer updating snow depth
Annupuri:
Top - 195cm
Bottom - 45cm
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| Thursday 23rd April 2009, 8:07AM |
|
| Weather conditions: |
Cloudy |
| New snowfall: |
0cm |
| Snow depth: |
Grand Hirafu:
Top - 240cm
Bottom - 15cm
Niseko Village:
No longer updating snow depth
Annupuri:
Top - 210cm
Bottom - 45cm |
The last couple of days in Niseko has seen cool tamps, cloud and plenty of rain. Today has dawned much the same although the temps have dropped considerably. Up in northern Hokkaido there has been snow to sea level this morning. A little precipitation should hit us a bit later this morning which should fall as snow almost down to village level.
Still heavy rain a couple of nights ago did do considerable damage to the sow at low levels and in Hirafu you can only ski out to the base now on a narrow strip of snow that's been built up by the groomers. With it's slightly higher base and better aspect the Annupuri side is much better off on the lower slopes.
Only a couple of weeks to go before then end of the season, here's hoping the weather clears again for a few more fine days before it's all over.
Current Official Snow Depths:
Grand Hirafu:
Top - 240cm
Bottom - 15cm
Niseko Village:
No longer updating snow depth
Annupuri:
Top - 210cm
Bottom - 45cm
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| Sunday 19th April 2009, 10:56AM |
|
| Weather conditions: |
Clear |
| New snowfall: |
0cm |
| Snow depth: |
Grand Hirafu:
Top - 275cm
Bottom - 40cm
Niseko Village:
No longer updating snow depth
Annupuri:
Top - 230cm
Bottom - 60cm |
Sorry about the break in reports but I've been away with no access to the net. Overall the weather has remained mostly fine and cool to mild. We had a bit of drizzle late yesterday but so far this month there has been very little precipitation in the Niseko area.
The general snow cover has mostly gone from the plains around Kutchan with only drifts left and the lower slopes of Hirafu are starting to get pretty thin with patches getting larger by the day. There's still no problem getting from top to bottom though. Up high there's still a very good cover.
The next couple of days are looking quite mild but some reasonably heavy rain is expected to move in later on Tuesday. By Thursday it will be quite cool with top temps below 10 degrees and there's the possibility of some snow on the higher parts of the mountain.
Current Official Snow Depths:
Grand Hirafu:
Top - 275cm
Bottom - 40cm
Niseko Village:
No longer updating snow depth
Annupuri:
Top - 230cm
Bottom - 60cm
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| Tuesday 14th April 2009, 1:40PM |
|
| Weather conditions: |
Clear |
| New snowfall: |
0cm |
| Snow depth: |
Grand Hirafu:
Top - 290cm
Bottom - 65cm
Niseko Village:
No longer updating snow depth
Annupuri:
Top - 260cm
Bottom - 90cm |
Yesterday was a warm one getting up to near 18 degrees in the village. Overnight though the winds switched more northerly and today temperatures are much cooler, we'll be lucky to reach 8 degrees. Still after some cloud this morning the day has cleared and there's bright sunshine to take the edge of the cool winds.
The warmth yesterday took it's toll on the lower slopes and the first patches on piste are starting to appear here and there. Still no problem to ski top to bottom though.
Cooler temps are expected to remain over the next couple of days but then warming a little again later in the week.
Current Official Snow Depths:
Grand Hirafu:
Top - 290cm
Bottom - 65cm
Niseko Village:
No longer updating snow depth
Annupuri:
Top - 260cm
Bottom - 90cm
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| Monday 13th April 2009, 10:41AM |
|
| Weather conditions: |
Clear |
| New snowfall: |
0cm |
| Snow depth: |
Grand Hirafu:
Top - 300cm
Bottom - 70cm
Niseko Village:
No longer updating snow depth
Annupuri:
Top - 270cm
Bottom - 100cm |
Been very mild and sunny over the last few days and snow melt is proceeding rapidly, especially at lower levels. The fields on the plains are starting to lose their winter mantle but the mountain still has top to bottom cover.
Today is expected to get up into the mid teens and remain sunny but some rain is forecast to come in later tomorrow with cooler air coming through in it's wake. Thursday is expected to be quite cool and temps should remain below freezing on the upper mountain although most of the precipitation will have moved through so no snow is expected.
Beyond that fine and warmer weather will return to the region getting back up into the lower teens at village level.
By the end of this week most of the snow will have melted off the plains around Kutchan so the farmers can finally start sowing their crops meaning business at the local Pachinko parlors will drop dramatically. It's going to be nice though to finally see some green in the landscape again. It's great having the contrast of snow covered mountains rising above green fields. I love Spring!
Current Official Snow Depths:
Grand Hirafu:
Top - 300cm
Bottom - 70cm
Niseko Village:
No longer updating snow depth
Annupuri:
Top - 270cm
Bottom - 100cm
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Click on photos to display original image size
Images displayed courtesy of Niseko Grand Hirafu |
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| Below are the most recent photos uploaded to Niseko Now! Click on the thumbnail for larger version. Click here to view all Niseko Now! photos.
(Currently 303 in total.) |
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| Uploaded On: |
3rd March 2009 19:28 PM |
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| We had a bit of snow in February. 277cm at village level. Mike Richards photo |
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| Uploaded On : |
13th February 2009 23:27 PM |
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| It's back. Mike Richards photo |
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| Uploaded On: |
4th January 2009 16:42 PM |
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| Upper Hirafu Village at sun up this morning. Mike Richards pic |
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| Uploaded On : |
16th December 2008 20:41 PM |
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| Mt Youtei early this morning 16 Dec |
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| Click here to view all Niseko Now! photos.
(Currently 303 in total.) |
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| ABOUT THESE REPORTS: |
| The Now! daily reports on Snow Japan are here to give
our readers current snow and weather conditions in
popular snow resort regions of Japan. The people who
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is gathered locally by Now! reporters and is based
on personal observations and information received
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Our advice is to always take care when you are in
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