Niseko Now: Sunday 11th December 2016
- Dec 11, 2016
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 17cm
Snowfall at base this season 179cm
Posted on Sunday 11th December 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It was on the national news last night so you might have seen it if you are in Japan, but lots of Hokkaido was enjoying (or not as the case may be for lots of people who don't actually want or need heavy snowfall) some mid-winter conditions with lots of snow falling. It looks like it was causing all sorts of problems for transportation and people who are just trying to get on with their lives - outside of a ski resort setting.
Here in Niseko we want lots of snow all of the time of course, and since my last report there has been another 17cm of snow pile up on the ground here at base. Interestingly, that is actually quite a bit less than my friends over in Sapporo city were reporting.
The official snow depth at the Niseko Grand Hirafu resort area has shot up to 200cm (on the upper slopes, 80cm at base) this morning which is good to see. As a quick comparison, this time last year that number was 140cm, so that sounds like a favourable comparison to me! The other resort areas don't appear to be as keen to get to bigger numbers as Niseko Grand Hirafu, so perhaps a pinch of salt should be on stand-by when looking at them. Always fun though, I like comparing. Let's comparing.
So, looking at the forecast we can expect more snowfall over the coming week after perhaps a bit of a break in the snow clouds tomorrow. It actually looks like the snow is easing off at the moment, it is getting a bit brighter and I can even see a bit of blue sky as well.
Yesterday I had an excellent few hours out on the slopes, conditions were really good. More courses are opening up now and for the Niseko Grand Hirafu listing below it is easier to mention what is not yet open rather than the other way round, so I have adjusted that.
Anyone get out for some nighta last night? It looks like from tonight the Ace Number 2 Center Four lift will be also be joining in the fun for nighta.
With conditions only looking likely to continue getting better over the coming week, I think you can officially call me excited! (Although that might also have something to do with meeting Santa the other night and him promising me some new skis...)
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -8℃, mild wind & snow, 20cm snowfall in 12 hours. Coastal data: Kamui cape NNW11m/s, 1016hPa, 2.0m waves.
The barometric gradient is lowering, however a weak storm persists above 600m elevation. 40cm of new snowdrift development can be observed in some places. Snowdrifts and cornices are still developing slowly in leeward cornice slopes above treeline (800m). Some snowdrifts have reached up 100cm thickness on top of Dec 9th layer and stabilizing as they grow.
The general avalanche risk is low today.
The snowpack is still shallow and bushes/bamboos remains unburied. Be patient.
Wish we had yesterday’s Sapporo snow.
The groomers are getting in better shape everyday, however the light is weak and visibility is low. Beware of the undulations and obstacles on the slopes.
The fresh snow on the side is splendid, however beware of tree stumps lurking below the surface.
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Resort specific opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):
All four resort areas appear to be able to open as planned at the start of the day.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Lifts planned to be operating:
- Ace Family pair*
- Ace Number 2 Center Four*
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Hirafu Gondola
- King Number 3 quad
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- Swinging Monkey
Courses that are not yet open:
- Sennoki
- Path to King
- Onsenzawa
- Super
- Large
- Kogen
- Ni-kabe
- Konayuki
- Miharashi
- Dynamic
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts planned to be operating:
- Hanazono 1 quad
- Hanazono 2 quad
- Hanazono 3 quad
Courses planned to be open:
- All open apart from Hanazono Park
Niseko Village
Lifts planned to be operating:
- Niseko Gondola
- Upper Village Gondola*
- Village Express*
- Community Chair*
- Banzai Chair
Niseko Annupuri
Lifts planned to be operating:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad*
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair
- Annupuri Gondola
Courses planned to be open:
- Utopia
- Shirakaba
- Silver
- Paradise
- Junior
- Family
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Official resort snow depths as of Sunday 11th December 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 200cm
Base - 80cm
Niseko Village
Top - 80cm
Base - 60cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 70cm
Base - 60cm
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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.
The lifts marked with a * above are the lifts that are planned to be operating for nighta tonight.Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village resort areas. There is no nighta in the Hanazono area.
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Sunday 11th December 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 179cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 22 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 25cm (25th November) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 69cm reported on 8 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.