Good morning from Niseko.

After that big load of fresh yesterday not as much to report this morning.

Wind is still an issue and the top lifts appear to be on hold at the start of the day (other than Wonderland chair at Village? --- if I had to guess, I'd say that's going to be on hold too). There may be some operating at slower speeds too.

The snow keeps on coming and I now have clocked up 308cm for the month of January. Already a fair bit more than January 2020 and some snow to report every day of the month so far...

Sunshine tomorrow?

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Niseko Avalanche Report

Coastal Data 6:20am. Cape Benkei:NNE12m/s. Cape Kamui: NE3m/s, 1007hPa, wave 1.5m. Hanazono 1000m: -13.9℃, NNW16.7m/s. Hanazono 720: -11.2℃, NNW8.3m/s. Moiwa 800m: -11.2℃, N12.0m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -14.0℃, NNW5.0m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -13.5℃, NNW7.2m/s. Mizuno no Sawa: -12.7℃, NNW4.5m/s. Kutchan Town: -10.2℃, E0.9m/s, snow depth 146cm, 1006.9hPa. Moiwa base: -9, trace of new snow in last 24hrs, good visibility.

A northerly wind picked up above 800m after 5am producing blizzard conditions. The wind is expected to strengthen though the day along with rapid cornice and snow drift development. Avalanches occur when conditions are right, regardless of the amount of snow. They only become accidents when people are involved. Be aware of the snowfall transition. Try to stay off cornice and steep slopes above 800m today.

Gate openings yet to be decided. Please respect the patrol’s decisions. Do not enter strictly off limits areas like Haru no Taki. One set of tracks ducking the rope leads others to follow, ultimately leading to more accidents. The snow in the trees below 800m is in good condition, other areas got smashed yesterday. Wear your helmet. From observation, the current snow surface (Jan 19 layer) is expected to become a future avalanche fracture face. The snow conditions change everyday, make decisions based on the current conditions.

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Planned ski area operations: Tuesday 19th January 2021
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report.
The numbers in brackets show the change in the official snow depth numbers since the previous report.

Niseko Grand Hirafu

Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 330cm (-10cm)
- Base: 190cm (-10cm)

Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift on hold at 8:30am
- Planned: Ace Family Quad, Ace Quad Center 4, Hirafu Gondola, King Number 3 Quad, King Number 4, Swinging Monkey
- Ace Family Quad and Ace Number 2 Center Four lifts operate for night skiing

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Niseko HANAZONO Resort

Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 260cm (-5cm)
- Base: 185cm (-5cm)

Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift on hold at 8:30am
- Planned: All three lifts
- There is no night skiing at Hanazono

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Niseko Annupuri

Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 250cm (+10cm)
- Base: 170cm (+10cm)

Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift and gondola on hold at 8:30am
- Planned: Annupuri Gondola, Dream Quad, Jumbo Quad Number 1, Jumbo Pair Number 4
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift operates for night skiing

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Niseko Village

Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 230cm (+0cm)
- Base: 150cm (+0cm)

Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: Niseko Gondola, Community Chair, Banzai Chair and Wonderland Chair
- Community Chair and Banzai Chair lifts operate for night skiing

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Night time operations are available in the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas until 7th March 2021.
There is no night skiing in the Niseko HANAZONO area.

The Ace Pair Number 1, 3 and 4, King Pair Number 1 lift and King Quad Number 2 lifts are being rested for the season at Niseko Grand Hirafu.