Niseko Now: Sunday 11th February 2018
- Feb 11, 2018
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 940cm
Posted on Sunday 11th February 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It's Sunday and the middle of this three day long weekend sandwich (or in my case, toastie).
Just a bit of snow to report to you - 3cm - and it is cloudy as I write this report. Light snow was falling earlier, but that has eased off now. A little disappointing perhaps, but hopefully things are going to start getting more exciting later on today. The forecast is still looking promising for snow - though strong winds might well be an issue.
Anyway, let's see what develops.
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It's busy-busy-busy here at the moment. I went out to meet a some friends for a few drinks last night and was reminded at just how busy Hirafu can get, particularly in this peak part of the season. I usually don't venture out in the evening during this period - one less person at the bar is probably better for everyone! There's certainly a party atmosphere though, and everyone where I was seemed to be having a blast.
And with the Chinese New Year holidays from this week, things are being ramped up that bit more.
This year Chinese New Year is on 16th February - please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that the festival period lasts for 15 days from Chinese New Year Eve to Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year with holidays from 15th-21st February.
The slopes, the bars, the restaurants... are going to be busy! Planning for all these things is recommended.
Here's to large doses of fun (and fresh snow) for everyone.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -5°, 3cm new snow. Moiwa 800m: -6.8°, NNW1.1m/s, 5cm new snow, no snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -8.5°, light winds, 5cm new snow, no snowdrift development, foggy around 700m. Snowpack 1000m: 330cm. Hirafu 1250m: -9°, gusty light winds, trace new snow, bad visibility at peak. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NNE8m/s. Kamui Cape: NNW7m/s, 1003hPa, wave 0.7m.
We are in the middle of a low pressure system, the pressure gradient is shallow and mountains and seas are both calm. There is dense fog on the mountain between 700m and 900m and only a little new snow with no snowdrift development. From observation general avalanche risk is low. All peak gates are expected to be open. Prepare before going out of bounds. Yesterday all peak gates were closed and slopes are covered with low pressure snowfall.
If the low pressure snowfall continues, flow type avalanches could occur on steep slopes over 30deg, including forested slopes. Also be careful around 1000m in Kozan no Sawa. These slopes will be even more dangerous if wind slabs start to form. Be aware, even in the forest.
Do not ignore Niseko Rules and enter strictly off limits area Haru no Taki. There is no avalanche control work done in Haru no Taki and there is always the danger of an avalanche. With this winters large snowpack, there is risk of a large scale full depth avalanche at anytime, regardless of temperature or time. Do not disregard the danger. You also need to careful entering Kozan no Sawa, Osawa, Mikaeri Sawa and Higashi One for same reason. To avoid accidents keep away from cracked slopes and the valley bottoms. Have a good day.
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Sunday 11th February 2018
Resort specific information (operations subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts (apart from King Number 2) should be operating
Official snow depth:
- Top: 425cm
- Base: 210cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts should be operating
Official snow depth:
- Top: 360cm
- Base: 230cm
Niseko Village
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts (apart from the Country Road Chair lift) should be operating
Official snow depth:
- Top: 360cm
- Base: 230cm
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Sunday 11th February 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 940cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 71 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (31st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 406cm reported on 27 days January 2018 snowfall 305cm reported on 26 days February 2018 snowfall 41cm reported on 7 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.