Niseko Now: Monday 12th December 2016
- Dec 12, 2016
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 4cm
Snowfall at base this season 183cm
Posted on Monday 12th December 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Hello and a Happy Monday morning to you from here in Niseko, and it is a very cold one too. Coldest morning of the season so far, if I am not mistaken - nearly minus double digit temperatures even at base, brrrrr! If there wasn't all the lovely snow outside you might be tempted to wrap up in front of a log fire. But perhaps we should leave that until after nighta has closed as it would be silly to not get out and enjoy the snow.
Conditions were really very good yesterday as I am sure people who were out there would agree, especially when you consider we are still in the first half of December.
This morning I have 4cm of fresh snowfall to report since my previous report which brings my total observed snowfall for the season so far up to 185cm, compared with 137cm this time last season. (By the way if you hadn't noticed, it's really easy now to see this kind of thing - scroll down this page to near the bottom and the list of links that says 'Niseko Now reports from the same period last season').
Back to today and we're not expecting much in terms of new cm of snow, though it is snowing very lightly as I write this report. It will likely ease off, but the snow clouds should be back over Niseko by tomorrow morning and the forecast is still looking good with regular snow lined up at least into next weekend.
This last weekend was noticeably busier out and about in Hirafu and on the slopes, I thought. Lift tickets are now in 'on season' (as they call it in Japanese - ie. regular prices) mode, and Christmas is less than two weeks away. Wow, I can hardly believe that... where does the time go... slow down please!
With the forecast looking promising and an already good base, those early season nerves have passed now and we can all get stuck into just enjoying what nature provides.
Take care out there and have fun.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -10℃, light dust in the last 12 hours. Coastal data: Kamui cape NW5m/s, 1025hPa, 1.8m waves.
A high-pressure system is laying over Japan and the barometric gradient is flat. The ocean and mountains are in a clam condition. Some surface hoar is present on the surface as the temperature dropped with radiative cooling.
The general avalanche risk is low today.
The snow is good, but insufficient. The out of bounds areas are still not suitable for riding. Please be patient. The snow will come sooner or later.
The weather is good this morning, however always be prepared for sudden weather changes. Undulations and bumps are hard to notice once the light goes weak. Beware of over speeding and crashing into trees or other skiers.
Access gates are yet to be ready. Please refrain from ducking ropes.
Today’s snow surface (Dec 12th) will remain as a notable layer in the future snowpack.
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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, though the Jumbo Number 1 quad is going to be starting a bit late.
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
- 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* (opening late this morning)
- 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 Monday 12th December 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 200cm
Base - 70cm
Niseko Village
Top - 80cm
Base - 60cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 70cm
Base - 60cm
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Monday 12th December 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 183cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 23 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 25cm (25th November) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 73cm 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.