Niseko Now: Thursday 12th March 2020
- Mar 12, 2020
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 6cm
Snowfall at base this season 693cm
Posted on Thursday 12th March 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
6cm of fresh snowfall! Hurray!
It feels colder this morning, and indeed it is colder.
I note also that Hanazono appear to be reporting up to 20cm on the upper areas there and there's up to 15cm being reported in the Avalanche Report too.
That all surely sounds good and worth investigating.
And, more snow is possible at times over the next few days.
As this report goes live just before 8:30am, there is lots of blue sky and the sun is out. Some cloud around and the top of Mt Yotei is clouded over.
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People continue to send in specific questions to SnowJapan regarding things like hotel, transport and other general Niseko tourism specifics.
I truly sympathise with all the questions but please understand that I am here to post weather reports.
So once again may I suggest that you direct questions to the people who put your holiday together and/or the place that you are staying at. Dealing with guests and all related issues is what those people do, and what you pay them for, so they will surely be able to help you with such details.
Official information sources are probably a good idea to keep an eye on too.
Many businesses are mentioning various precautionary measures such as staff wearing masks, being extra vigilant with cleaning guest areas, etc. I would recommended checking with individual businesses for information on how they are dealing with the situation.
Things here are very quiet, but the ski resorts do remain open and the lifts are moving.
We surely are living in some strange times. Of course, I wish everyone well.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -3℃, 5cm snowfall and calm. Moiwa 800m: NNW 331°7.8m/s, -4.5℃, 15cm snowfall in 24h with snowdrift development. Annupuri 1100m: W 280°8.7m/s, -7.8℃. Yu no sawa 1000m: NNW 343°3.2m/s, -7.2℃. Village 900m: WNW 289°2.6m/s, -6.1℃. Hirafu 1000m: no wind data, -7.4℃. Hanazono720m: NW 319°5.3m/s, -4.4℃. Sea of Japan Benkei cape: NNW9m/s, Kamui cape: WNW8m/s, 1012hPa, 2.7m waves.
A moderate north to north-westerly wind is blowing above 800m elevation and making snowdrifts and cornices develop in leeward slopes. 10-15cm new snow has blanketed the slopes in the trees under 700m. Looking at test results, shallow surface slab avalanches are likely to occur in steep leeward slopes due to the uneven wind and temperature transition. All gates are scheduled to open. Ask the ski patrol’s advice and be prepared/equipped for the backcountry. The snow conditions looks pretty good today.
Gate11 will be closed from today as climax avalanches have started to occur in Mizuno no sawa. Do not duck ropes to enter the area. Avalanche control operations will still carry on. Patches of 50cm thick snowdrifts are present in south facing slopes above 1000m elevation and human triggered surface slab slides are very likely to occur in slopes steeper than 30°. Backcountry tourists should consider the hazards and plan their hiking/riding routes carefully. Guides are responsible for the party’s safety. Have a nice day.
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Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 295cm
- Base: 110cm
All lifts are normally operating EXCEPT:
- Ace Number 1 pair lift (normally rested)
- King Number 2 quad lift (normally rested)
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Ace Family quad until 8:30pm
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad until 8:20pm
- Hirafu Gondola until 8:10pm
- Holiday Number 1 pair until 8:30pm
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 198cm
- Base: 115cm
All lifts are normally operating
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 185cm
- Base: 110cm
All lifts are normally operating
Lift scheduled for late operations:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad until 8:30pm
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 190cm
- Base: 110cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT:
- Country Road Chair (normally rested)
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Annupuri Village Gondola until 8:00pm
- Village Express until 8:00pm
- Banzai Chair until 8:00pm
Niseko Now 2019-2020 season |
Data as of Thursday 12th March 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 693cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 76 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 33cm (21st January) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 207cm reported on 21 days January 2020 snowfall 224cm reported on 20 days February 2020 snowfall 143cm reported on 19 days March 2020 snowfall 34cm reported on 6 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.