Niseko Now: Friday 12th January 2018
- Jan 12, 2018
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 9cm
Snowfall at base this season 662cm
Posted on Friday 12th January 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I enjoyed a really fun day yesterday, especially in the morning with the blue skies and sunshine. Got to cover all four of the ski areas; didn't want to finish.
It sounded a little windy overnight but by now the wind has calmed and I have another 9cm of fresh snow to report from here near Hirafu base.
There are regular snow showers still there on the forecast into early next week so hopefully we'll be getting regular top-ups to fill in the tracks.
It's snowing as this post goes live and visibility is currently looking somewhat limited on the slopes. Not quite as cold as yesterday was but still need those layers.
Take care!
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -5℃, 10cm snowfall and snowdrifts development. Moiwa 800m: 3am NW15.5m/s, 6am NE5m/s, -7.8℃. Annupuri 1150m: -7℃, NE10m/s, 15cm snowfall with snowdrifts. Hirafu 1250m: -9℃, snowdrifts developed pre-dawn, 10cm snowfall. Coastal data: Benkei cape NE10m/s, Kamui cape E5m/s, 1010hPa, 1.8m waves.
A small low-pressure system passed overnight, generating NE gusts and making snowdrifts develop. Newly formed cornices above 800m elevation cracked at 60cm thickness during this morning’s pressure test. The wind settled down around 5am and the snowpack is starting to stabilize, however avalanche risk will remain considerable in leeward slopes above 1000m with heavy snowdrift deposit throughout the morning.
All gates are scheduled to open; however the snow condition is different from yesterday’s. Avoid knolls and cornices and use caution. Do not traverse across steep slopes and stay away from valley bottoms.
This information is issued for protecting all resort users’ safety and freedom to ride of out bounds.
Wearing helmets and avalanche beacons is not mandatory, but strongly recommended.
The slopes have been reset and are in good shape.
Please respect the Niseko Rules.
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Friday 12th January 2018
Resort specific information (operations subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts are generally operating
- 'Early Morning' services from 8:00am until 8:20am (Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift). Until 28th January. 500 yen special ticket required.
Official snow depth:
- Top: 360cm
- Base: 155cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts are generally operating
Official snow depth:
- Top: 270cm
- Base: 160cm
Niseko Village
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts except Country Road Chair are generally operating
- 'Early Gondola' service from 7:30am until 8:30am (Niseko Gondola). January 13th-14th, 20th-21st, 27th-28th; February 3rd-4th. 1,400 yen special ticket required.
Official snow depth:
- Top: 260cm
- Base: 160cm
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Floodlit 'nighta' skiing:
Night skiing is planned for every evening at the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area. Ski lifts that are scheduled to be operating for nighta are noted below (subject to change):
* Niseko Grand Hirafu - Ace Family quad, Ace Number 2 quad, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 pair
* Niseko Annupuri - Jumbo Number 1 quad lift
* Niseko Village - Village Express, Upper Village Gondola, Community Chair, Banzai Chair
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Friday 12th January 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 662cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 47 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (21st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 406cm reported on 27 days January 2018 snowfall 68cm 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.