Niseko Now: Friday 10th March 2017
- Mar 10, 2017
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 3, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 13cm
Snowfall at base this season 666cm
Posted on Friday 10th March 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
There's another nice top-up of 13cm this morning. Less people around than peak season also means that fresh snow gets to remain untouched for a bit longer, which is always a bonus for the people here outside of the main peak months.
It is not quite as cold this morning but still -3C at 8:30am and temperatures shouldn't venture above zero during the day. The forecast is for a mix of snow/cloud for the day and over the last hour or so it has been snowing on and off.
Tomorrow is likely going to be a bit milder still and there's not much sign of snow on the forecast through into at least mid-week.
Still, we've had good period of regular fresh snowfall over the last four days or so along with some very nice conditions on the mountain. Hope that some of you are here to enjoy it.
And for those reading this report sometime in the future as an 'archive' (hi!!)... see how sometimes March can offer better conditions than in early February?
'Muzukashii desu ne!'
Let's hope there's further refreshes coming after the upcoming finer spell of clearer weather. In the meantime, let's enjoying!
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base: -5℃, 10cm snowfall. Moiwa 800m; -8℃, 15cm snowfall with snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m: -11℃, W10m/s, 20cm, 230cm snowpack. Hirafu 1250m: -12℃, 20cm snowfall. With snowdrifts. Sea of Japan Kamui cape lighthouse: light breeze, 1003hPa, 0.6m. Benkei cape: WSW4m/s.
The wind is calm and the mountain is blanketed with light snow. The snowdrifts that developed yesterday have stabilized and will form March 10th layer in the future snowpack. Looking at observations, the general avalanche risk is low except for the south facing steep/cliff slopes. South facing aspects are highly affected by the sun and slabs are more likely to form in there, which could trigger deeper layer slides. Please be careful and do not step into restricted areas. All gates are scheduled to open. The snow condition is very good on and off-piste. Please abide by all Rules and have a safe day. Most accidents can be avoided by being prudent and making conservative decisions.
The avalanche information will pause for a while due to mechanical trouble.
Please respect and follow the ski patrol’s decisions.
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Resort specific opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Niseko Village
Niseko Annupuri
The Annupuri Gondola is undergoing some kind of maintenance and will be delayed opening - perhaps by about 2 hours.
Otherwise, resorts appear to be opening as planned at the start of the day.
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Official resort snow depths as of Friday 10th March 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 370cm
Base - 160cm
Niseko Village
Top - 315cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 315cm
Base - 170cm
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Night skiing is planned until Monday 20th March 2017 at the Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village resort areas. There is no nighta in the Hanazono area.
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Friday 10th March 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 666cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 78 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 181cm reported on 22 days January 2017 snowfall 152cm reported on 18 days February 2017 snowfall 160cm reported on 19 days March 2017 snowfall 63cm reported on 5 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.