Niseko Now: Wednesday 13th December 2017
- Dec 13, 2017
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 26cm
Snowfall at base this season 314cm
Posted on Wednesday 13th December 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning to you all from my Hirafu base.
An early report from me this morning as I am going to battle the road conditions and get somewhere...
It is another very good morning as that pesky rain the other day becomes a distant memory.
There has been lots of snow and blowing winds since my last report, and I have 26cm piled up at my official measuring point. The wind doesn't usually get to mess big time with my numbers, but I think we can expect a considerable amount of snow on the slopes this morning.
And it is still snowing.
Hopefully lifts will be operating this morning as scheduled.
And the forecast over the coming week shows regular snow lined up. Though tomorrow might provide a breather being calm with some sunshine.
Things couldn't really be much better for these first few weeks of the season.
Can it continue like this? I certainly hope so!
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -7°, 20cm new snow. Moiwa 800m : -9.4°, W10.2m/s, 30cm new snow. Annupuri 1100m: -12°,W15m/s, 50cm new snow, major snowdrift development. Hirafu: 1200m, -13°, W15m/s, gusty, 50cm new snow, snowdrift development. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NW20m/s. Kamui Cape WSW9m/s, 1005hPa, wave 3.1m.
The typical winter weather pattern continues, the west side above 800m 10-15m/s blizzard continues. There has been drastic cornice and snowdrift development above 900m on the east side of the mountain, growth has been over 200cm in many places. The wind is relatively weak at 15m/s, but is gusting, increasing the amount of snow at each of the ski areas.
The snowdrifts are steadily increasing. From observation below 1000m avalanche risk is not extremely high. However the current conditions and snowfall transition cause the risk on leeward slopes like Haru no Taki like Yu no Sawa to be high. Expect 60cm deep surface slab fracture from the Dec 11 layer. Do not duck ropes to enter strictly off limits areas looking for deep snow.
The top lifts at each Niseko United area are expect to start on the 16th. Gates will open soon after when preparations are complete. Please be patient.
The snow is deep and good in the trees below 1000m. Be careful falling into hidden creeks, the water is cold. Be careful and take care.
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Wednesday 13th December 2017
What's planned to be open today in Niseko (subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Lifts operating:
- Ace Number 3 Pair lift
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift (nighta)
- Ace Family quad lift (nighta)
- King Number 3 quad lift
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair lift
- Swinging Monkey
* All courses are open apart from Large and Dynamic.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad lift
- Hanazono Number 2 quad lift
- Hanazono Number 3 quad lift
* All lifts are operating
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift (nighta)
- Jumbo Number 2 quad lift
- Dream Number 1 quad lift
* Utopia, Shirakaba, Silver, Panorama, "S" ji, Paradise, Family, Dynamic and Junior courses are open.
Niseko Village
Lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola
- Banzai Chair
- Community Chair (nighta)
- Upper Village Gondola (nighta)
- Village Express (nighta)
- Morino Chair
* Top of Gondola to base is skiable.
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Official resort snow depths on Wednesday 13th December 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 240cm
Base - 100cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Top - 135cm
Base - 90cm
Niseko Village
Top - 145cm
Base - 80cm
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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 above.
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Wednesday 13th December 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 314cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 23 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 29cm (20th November) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 126cm reported on 12 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.