Niseko Now: Tuesday 13th January 2015
- Jan 13, 2015
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 712cm
Posted on Tuesday 13th January 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It's not snowing this morning and just a dusting to report. It makes a change, I suppose!
Not snowing here at base anyway, though Niseko Village seem to be saying snow higher up - I'll have to get up there to check.
But yes it's generally just cloudy conditions over the Niseko area early this morning. I'm happy to report that winds are calm and all of the resort areas look set to be open as planned. As per the report below, Gates 2 & 3 are going to be closed with others still to be determined.
We were hoping for a bit of sunshine this morning, maybe we'll get it later on. Very probably sunny conditions to enjoy tomorrow though and maybe even on Thursday too. Looking like we're on for a bit of a break from fresh snowfall... though it should be back by Friday freshening us up for the weekend.
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Resort specific news at time of writing - subject to change during the day
Niseko Grand Hirafu:
Looks set to be open as planned this morning.
'Early Morning' lift available daily until 1st February (for 500 yen, Ace Quad Number 2 lift from 8am until 8:20am).
Niseko Hanazono:
Looks set to be open as planned this morning.
Niseko Village:
Looks set to be open as planned this morning.
'Early Morning Gondola' available Saturdays and Sundays until February 8th (for 1300 yen, Gondola open from 7:30am until 8:30am).
Niseko Annupuri:
Looks set to be open as planned this morning.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -3C, 15cm of snowfall in 12 hours. Moiwa 800m: -7C and developing snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m: NW10m/s, -10C with snowdrifts developments. Hirafu ridge: W10m/s, -11C and large development of snowdrifts. Coastal data: Benkei cape NNW10m/s, Kamui cape N5m/s, 1024hPa, 1.8m waves.
The wind is starting to calm down, however the snow surface above 800m has been affected by the wind overnight, forming wind-ripples and crusts and the snowdrifts stabilization is being delayed. The avalanche risk is high in leeward slopes around 1000m. Gates 2 & 3 will be closed; others still to be determined. Please follow the ski patrol’s instructions. The snow in the trees is a bit better than yesterday’s, but catchy and easy to loose control. Beware of hitting trees. The snow condition is ever changing and the hazard level varies from not only the terrain & slope orientation, but also from altitude difference. Better not overestimate your skills or knowledge; stay prudent and humble towards the mountain. Avalanches are natural phenomena that can occur in the least expected situations, however most can be avoided if precautions are taken. The groomers are in fantastic condition today.
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Official snow depth numbers and any notes at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 350cm
Base - 150cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 250cm
Base - 160cm
Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 230cm
Base - 180cm
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Tuesday 13th January 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 712cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 42 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th and 26th December) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 519cm reported on 25 days January 2015 snowfall 163cm 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.