Niseko Now: Sunday 11th January 2015
- Jan 11, 2015
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 6cm
Snowfall at base this season 691cm
Posted on Sunday 11th January 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning and hello from Niseko.
Guess what? It's snowing! Only light snow now as I look outside the window here, but it was coming down pretty hard just a short while ago. Whatever, I have another 6-7cm of fresh to report. Around -3 degrees, cloudy and foggy outside so generally quite poor visibility this morning I would say on mountain. Make sure you know where you're going.
Yesterday was busy out there, and no doubt today will be too, but I imagine the conditions made up for any of that. As I have said before, there's a good reason why Niseko is so wildly popular.
Snowfall expected to continue today and tomorrow, easing up by Tuesday when we might get some sun and blue skies.
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This may well have happened before today as I have only just noticed it and I haven't been up to that area for a few days, but anyway it looks like Niseko Grand Hirafu have now found the staff to get the Ace Number 4 lift chugging along which is good to see. If you remember about a week ago it was being reported that due to staff issues they weren't operating. Or something. It was always a bit hazy that. But the important thing is that it's moving now. Perhaps with robot staff!
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Resort specific news at time of writing - subject to change during the day
Niseko Grand Hirafu:
Looks set to be open as planned this morning.
'Early Morning' lift available daily until 1st February (for 500 yen, Ace Quad Number 2 lift from 8am until 8:20am).
Niseko Hanazono:
Looks set to be open as planned this morning.
Niseko Village:
Looks set to be open as planned this morning.
'Early Morning Gondola' available today, tomorrow and on Saturdays and Sundays until February 8th (for 1300 yen, Gondola open from 7:30am until 8:30am).
Niseko Annupuri:
Looks set to be open as planned.
'Annupuri First Run' available today and tomorrow (for 1000 yen, Gondola open from 7:20-8:20am).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -6C, 10cm of crystal snow in 12 hours. Moiwa 800m: NW12m/s, -8C, 15cm of new snow and development of snowdrifts in Anbetsu area. Annupuri 1150m: NW10m/s, -10C, snowdrifts and crusty surfaces. Hirafu ridge 1250m: W15m/w, -12C, strong gusts from the Backbowl with development of snowdrifts. Coastal data: Benkei cape NW13m/s, Kamui cape NW8m/s, 1005hPa, 2.0m waves.
A moderate north-westerly wind with snowfall is persisting. The main snowclouds are currently drifting away from Niseko area, however snowfall is forecasted to pick up during the day. The cornices above 800m altitude are unstable and likely to collapse anytime. Sunlight is weak, making it hard to see the surface. The deeper snowpack is stable and peak gates are scheduled to open. Many cases of intruders to Haru no Taki is being reported. Please remember that the freedom to ride out of bounds in Niseko is being protected in exchange of having those strictly off-limits areas closed-off. Better acknowledge that entering these strictly off-limits zones is not only neglecting the Rules, but also having a misconception of the true meaning of Freedom. Whether the conditions were safe or not, these actions are simply jeopardizing the freedom of the people that are true to the Rules. Infringers will loose their right to use the resort facilities. The Niseko Village’s Mizuno no sawa educational program has started. Follow the ski patrol’s instructions and ride safe.
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Official snow depth numbers and any notes at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 345cm
Base - 165cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 250cm
Base - 160cm
Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 230cm
Base - 180cm
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Sunday 11th January 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 691cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 40 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th and 26th December) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 519cm reported on 25 days January 2015 snowfall 142cm reported on 10 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.