Niseko Now: Monday 10th February 2020
- Feb 10, 2020
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 584cm
Posted on Monday 10th February 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
The really cold conditions continue, starting the morning with a reading of -12C on my thermometer.
Just a thin layer of fresh snowfall to report - ever so slightly over 1cm. So the mountain has not had a reset, first run groomers should be feel good this morning.
Did I mention it's really cold still?!
That cold looks set to ease off in the second part of the week when Japan as a whole is going to experience a bit of a warmer spell.
At the start of the day it looks like the base Ace Family quad is having some issues and not starting the day as normal.
-----
It is really pleasing to see other regions of Japan finally getting some proper snowfall.
My mind is often boggled when I see some of the nutty amounts of snow that they can sometimes get in 24 hours. Myoko and other areas of Niigata and Nagano, I'm looking at you! I can't remember ever reporting a full 1m in any of my reports.
We tend to just concentrate on 'quality' up here in Niseko.
Ooooh, controversial! (I'm just kidding). (Sort of). ;)
But seriously, I do recommend checking out some of the other reports on this site; it's always and interesting read to see how other regions are doing.
-----
Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base: -13.0°, no new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: N 354deg 2.6m/s , -14.2°. Yu no Sawa 1000m: N 4deg 9.3m/s, -16.9. Niseko Village 900m: WSW 1.3m/s, -16.4°. Hirafu 1000m : N 346deg (speed no data) , -17.2°. Hanazono 720m: NNW 344deg 5.7m/s, -14.2°. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NE 5m/s. Kamui Cape N 2m/s, 1016hPa, wave 1.3m. Annupuri 1000m: snow depth 170cm.
The atmospheric pressure gradient is flattening out and the mountain base and seas are calm. A moderately strong north wind persists above 800m with, depending on location, 30-50cm of snow drift development. From observation a fracture is occurring at 20cm, however avalanche risk is low. To avoid avalanches from a deep layer do not wait around in the valley bottom. Peak gates are expected to be open. Please listen to the patrols advice. Be prepared before going out the gates. There is a bit more snow now, but still not that much. Be careful of partially buried trees, if you hook one its an easy broken leg. The low temps continue, take care of frost bite. Do not duck ropes to enter strictly off limits area Haru no Taki. Have a good day.
-----
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 260cm
- Base: 120cm
All lifts are normally operating EXCEPT:
- Ace Number 1 pair lift (normally rested)
- King Number 2 quad lift (normally rested)
All courses normally open
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Ace Family quad until 8:30pm
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad until 8:20pm
- Hirafu Gondola until 8:10pm
- Holiday Number 1 pair until 8:30pm
-----
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 200cm
- Base: 125cm
All lifts are normally operating
-----
Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 180cm
- Base: 115cm
All lifts are normally operating
Lift scheduled for late operations:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad until 8:30pm
-----
Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 200cm
- Base: 120cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT:
- Country Road Chair (normally rested)
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Annupuri Village Gondola until 8:00pm
- Village Express until 8:00pm
- Banzai Chair until 8:00pm
Niseko Now 2019-2020 season |
Data as of Monday 10th February 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 584cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 60 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 33cm (21st January) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 207cm reported on 21 days January 2020 snowfall 224cm reported on 20 days February 2020 snowfall 68cm reported on 9 days |
All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report.