Niseko Now: Saturday 12th January 2019
- Jan 12, 2019
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 535cm
Posted on Saturday 12th January 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Here we are on a Saturday morning and the first day of the long weekend as Monday is a holiday in Japan, so we might expect to see a few more locals out and about this weekend (by 'locals', I mean Hokkaido folk. Lots of the immediate locals will be busy-busy!)
A little snow to report this morning. I can just about justify recording 2cm so it's hardly enough to fully reset the mountain. And this is hardly important, but it seems a little odd that the top snow depth number for Niseko Annupuri has jumped by 25cm this morning. There certainly hasn't been that much snow up there since yesterday so perhaps they are playing catch up with the numbers (?)
Anyway, quite a bit of cloud still around at the moment but some blue sky too. Calm conditions and the resorts including gates should be opening as normal this morning.
The next snowfall is still expected around Tuesday.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -6℃, slight snowfall and calm. Moiwa800m: -8.2℃, W4.5m/s, no snowfall and small development of cornice/snowdrifts. Mikaeri data not available. Annupuri1120m snow depth: 185cm. Hirafu1300m: -11℃, N5-10m/s, snowdrifts development. Mizuno no sawa: -9.68℃, N3.8-8.4m/s, slight snowfall. Kutchan weather station: -4℃, 120cm snow depth. Benkei cape: N7m/s, Kamui cape: NNE3m/s, 1020hPa, 1.3m waves.
The atmospheric pressure gradient is flat and the weather is calm at the ocean and mountains. There are nothing in particular to mention today.
Beware of falling cornices and stay away from the bottom of the valley in order to avoid being caught in avalanches debris. The snow is light and dry.
Always keep in mind that outside the gates is not the resort anymore. Ask the ski patrol some advice, respect the Niseko Rules and have a great day.
Have you switched your beacon on?
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Ski resort operation information: Saturday 12th January 2019
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report. Subject to change!
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 280cm
- Base: 140cm
Ski lifts operating:
- The Ace Family quad (until 8:30pm), Ace Center 4 quad (8:20pm), Hirafu Gondola (until 8:10pm) and Holiday Number 1 pair (until 8:30pm) lifts are normally open during the evening
- The Center Four lift will be open from 8:00am until 8:20am until 31st January 2019. (500 yen charge).
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 190cm
- Base: 143cm
Ski lifts operating:
- The Hanazono lifts are normally open until 3:50pm (Number 3 until 3:30pm)
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono Courses:
- All official courses are now available
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 265cm
- Base: 140cm
Ski lifts operating:
- The Jumbo 1 lift is normally open until 8:30pm during the evening
- Annupuri First run from 7:20am until 8:20am on 12th, 13th, 14th January. (1,500 yen charge).
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 250cm
- Base: 140cm
Ski lifts operating:
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are normally open until 8:00pm during the evening
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Saturday 12th January 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 535cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 45 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (29th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 333cm reported on 26 days January 2019 snowfall 118cm reported on 11 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.