Niseko Now: Sunday 10th January 2016
- Jan 10, 2016
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 20cm
Snowfall at base this season 399cm
Posted on Sunday 10th January 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
A very good morning to you from Niseko.
And this morning I have another full 20cm of light fresh snow to report. That's since my last report up until the time I took my measurement at 8am this morning.
Oh yes. I like 20cm and above. It's enough to fill in the tracks very nicely. And there's lots of tracks to fill in here in Niseko of course.
Since I started putting this report together it has been snowing lightly and then eased off. And there's actually a hint of sun coming through the clouds at the moment in some places but that probably won't last long with continued snowfall forecast for the day.
Yesterday we did see some wind higher up that was threatening to affect everyone's fun again, but today I hope there won't be much of that. It seems fairly calm this morning actually here in Hirafu, though I note that Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri have clocked up some stronger wind numbers this morning (up to 14m/s westerly). To start the day though all four resort areas are opening as planned.
What can I say other than it should be another excellent day out on the slopes today. People here in Niseko at the moment are getting to experience it at it's best.
Wrap up well, have fun and... take care out there.
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With the consistent snowfall we have enjoyed here over the last few weeks - and seemingly that is still set to continue - it's hard to believe how lots of areas on the main island of Honshu are suffering this season; it just doesn't seem to want to snow properly yet in some places.
Like I mentioned before I do not see it as a competition - something you get by not being in the 'selling' business! - so I'd be very happy for everyone and everywhere to have at least a normal season in terms of snowfall. But I have heard a few people up here almost enjoying reading the news from other places which seems somewhat... nasty. That's not cool. We had a pretty poor start as well this season, if you remember. Happily, nature turned on the snow taps for us. It can happen to us all so let's not get carried away and just hope for a very snowy Japan winter everywhere. That's what I think anyway.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -5℃, 20cm new snowfall, no snowdrift development. Moiwa 800m: -9℃, W10m/s with snowdrift developments. Annupuri 1150m: -10℃, W10m/s, snowdrifts above 1100m. Hirafu 1000m: -6℃, 20cm snowfall, light development of snowdrifts. Benkei cape: NNW13m/s, Kamui cape W8m/s, 1012hPa, 1.9m waves.
A passing small low-pressure system dropped 20cm of fresh snow in areas above 800m Looking at observations, the snowdrifts’ growth is relatively slow and seems stable, however it is strongly recommended to stay away from cornices, refrain from dropping into a slope at once and to stay away from valley bottoms. The snow condition is very different in areas above 1100m. If the westerly wind picks up during the day, the avalanche hazard will rise drastically in areas above 1000m.
Most of the accidents occur in snowdrifts loaded slopes during stormy weather. Be flexible with your touring routes. The snow in the trees is in excellent condition. Beware of collision and falling into cracks, which are difficult to notice from above. Most gates are scheduled to open, please follow the patrol’s instructions, be aware and be prepared of the risks you’re taking. Have a nice day.
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Niseko Grand Hirafu 'Early Morning'
Dates: Until Sunday 31st January 2016
Time: 8:00am until 8:20am
Cost: 500 yen
Details: Ace Number 2 Quad lift with the Super, Furiko, Green, Alpen and Sen-no-ki courses open
Niseko Annupuri 'First Run'
Dates: Monday 11th January 2016
Time: 7:20am until 8:20am
Cost: 1,000 yen
Details: Gondola operation
Niseko Village 'Early Morning Gondola'
Dates: Monday 11th January 2016
Time: 7:30am until 8:30am
Cost: 1,300 yen
Details: Gondola operation
It's important to note that these early morning lift operations require special tickets, which basically means that you have to pay extra for them. Season tickets and normal day passes cannot be used. In the case of bad weather conditions they may be cancelled.
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Official resort snow depths as of Sunday 10th January 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 285cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Village
Top - 190cm
Base - 110cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 150cm
Base - 100cm
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Sunday 10th January 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 399cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 30 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (26th and 28th December) November 2015 snowfall 61cm reported on 4 days December 2015 snowfall 244cm reported on 17 days January 2016 snowfall 94cm 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.