Niseko Now: Monday 13th February 2017
- Feb 13, 2017
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 499cm
Posted on Monday 13th February 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from here near Hirafu base, and this morning it is much the same as yesterday really.
I have another dusting of snow to report to you - perhaps just about enough for me to be able to justify awarding 1cm to this report, especially when you consider the mm's yesterday.
(Blimey, am I having to report millimetres?!) :(
It is perhaps slightly milder than yesterday at the start of the day, but other than that just another overcast kind of morning with light snow falling at times.
I feel something of a frustrated vibe from some quarters at the moment. We all of course want more fresh snow but there ain't much we can do about it. So heads and chins up and let's try to enjoy what we got - though what we got right now isn't Niseko powder. When will it come back? Unfortunately there doesn't look like much is lined up over the next few days and it might be towards the end of the week before we can get a nice new fresh layer.
Komaru, ne!
It looks like the top King Number 4 and Ace Number 4 lifts at Niseko Grand Hirafu are going to be delayed opening but should be by too much.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Mountain base : -2°, 3cm new snow. Moiwa 800m: -4°, NE8m/s, 5cm new snow, snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m, -5°, N8m/s, 5cm new snow. 1000M Elevation: snowpack:170cm. Hirafu 1250m, -7°, N10m/s, trace new snow, snowdrift development. Coastal data: Kamui Cape:E3m/s, 1008hPa, wave 1.7m.
5cm of new snow is covering the mountain with 10-15cm snowdrifts on the south side of the mountain. From observation, snow below 11 Feb layer is compact and stabilised. Wind effected slopes above 1000m in the 35-40 degree range expect slabs or shallow surface avalanches, however general avalanche risk is low. Take care of hitting old tracks or obstacles hidden under the new snow. All gates are expected to be open if top lifts are running. Please listen to patrols advice before going out of bounds. Don't duck any ropes or netting.
This Avalanche Report is produced using data from 5am Moiwa Mikaeri observation, data from the Japan Meteorological Agency, the Japan Coast Guard and Snow and Ice Disaster Prevention Research. Out of bounds areas are mountainous terrain with lots of hidden dangers. Always error on the side of safety, Be aware of sudden weather changes and always be aware of your location. Have a nice day.
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Official resort snow depths as of Monday 13th February 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 280cm
Base - 120cm
Niseko Village
Top - 280cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 315cm
Base - 140cm
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Night skiing is planned until Monday 20th March 2017 at the Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village resort areas. There is no nighta in the Hanazono area.
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Monday 13th February 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 499cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 60 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 181cm reported on 22 days January 2017 snowfall 152cm reported on 18 days February 2017 snowfall 56cm 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.