Niseko Now: Sunday 13th January 2019
- Jan 13, 2019
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 536cm
Posted on Sunday 13th January 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
What a fine day it was yesterday with lovely blue skies and sunshine for lots of main daytime - it certainly felt good to be out on the mountain.
This morning I can just about manage to report 1cm of fresh snowfall on the ground. (Actually slightly under 1cm, so I will make a note of my wildly out-of-control 'over-reporting' of a mm or so for a future report. No need to fret, it will balance out).
Perhaps we will get some more blue skies and sunshine today over the mountain. As I write this report there is still quite a lot of cloud around but also some blue sky and increasingly so.
We are still expecting a return to meaningful snowfall from later on Tuesday and the second half of this week.
Tomorrow is a national holiday in Japan - Coming of Age Day. And here is what Mr Wiki says about it, with thanks:
"Coming of Age Day (成人の日) is a Japanese holiday held annually on the second Monday of January. It is held in order to congratulate and encourage all those who have reached or will reach the age of majority between April 2 of the previous year and April 1 of the current year, and to help them realize that they have become adults. Festivities include coming of age ceremonies (成人式 seijin-shiki) held at local and prefectural offices, as well as after-parties among family and friends."
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6.00am: -6°, no new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: -8.8°, NW3.3m/s, minor snow drift development. Mikaeri Weather Station: -9°, NE5m/s, minor snowdrift development. Annupuri 1120m: snow depth 185cm. Hirafu Peak : -12°, Northerly 10m/s, snowdrift development. Mizuno no Sawa: no new snow in last 24hrs, snowpack 118cm. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: ENE6m/s. Kamui Cape: SSW2m/s, 1023hPa, wave 1.3m.
The cracks near Higashi One 1200m are starting to fill in. Bamboo poles and pink tape have been used to mark location. However take car not to fall in one. Depending on future snowfall transition, it is possible the area from the cracks to knoll could avalanche. Avoid riding on this slope. There are long cracks on West Ridge cornice around 1100m. A cornice collapsing could trigger on avalanche. Do not traverse under cornices or knolls on steep slopes or try to stimulate cornice to collapse. These actions have caused accidents in the past. Don't forget there can be lots of people in the valley below.
The general avalanche risk is low. We can't predict everything that will happen in the mountains, however with care most accidents can be avoided. Peak gates are expected to be open. Please listen to the patrols advice and be prepared before going out of the ski area. Have a good day.
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Ski resort operation information: Sunday 13th 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: 270cm
- Base: 130cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts are operating as planned
- 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: 195cm
- Base: 143cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts are operating as planned
- The Hanazono lifts are normally open until 3:50pm (Number 3 until 3:30pm)
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 265cm
- Base: 140cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts are operating as planned
- The Jumbo 1 lift is normally open until 8:30pm during the evening
- Annupuri First run from 7:20am until 8:20am on until tomorrow. (1,500 yen charge).
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 260cm
- Base: 140cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts are operating as planned (Country Road not 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 Sunday 13th January 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 536cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 46 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 119cm 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.