Niseko Now: Monday 13th January 2020
- Jan 13, 2020
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 382cm
Posted on Monday 13th January 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I am happy to be able to report some fresh snowfall down at base this morning.
Hurray!
It's hardly a large amount, but as I said yesterday I am determined to give thanks for each and every one of those (3) cm! I am interested to note that the Avalanche Report below is reporting 10cm, that is good to hear.
Right now it is mostly cloudy still, but there's quite a bit of blue sky to see in places too. Feels quite cold too, currently -6C outside at base.
Today is the last day of the long weekend. Up next - well, in terms of major dates on the calendar - is Chinese New Year, which is on 25th January. Lots of visitors will be coming to enjoy their holidays in the Niseko area around that last week of this month. It would be smashing if the mountain could get a good old comprehensive snow refresh before then. Heck, multiple ones! Obviously. Let us hope it will be so.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6.00am: -7°, 10cm new snow in last 12 hrs, calm. Moiwa 800m: -7.0°, 1.6m/s 314 deg NW. Hirafu 1000m: 1.7m/s 78 deg ENE, -9.1°. Hanazono 720m: 0.2m/s 51 deg NE, -6.9°. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:N8m/s. Kamui Cape W5m/s, 1012hPa, wave 0.8m. Annupuri 1000m: snow depth 135cm.
We are currently under a high pressure system which sandwiched between two lows. The pressure gradient is shallow and the mountains and seas are calm. About 15cm of new snow has fallen in the last 12 hrs. The small light crystal snow is fantastic. From observation and data there is no new snowdrift development and general avalanche risk is low. Be careful on 40 deg slopes for shallow surface avalanches. When avalanches run a long way they accumulate a lot of snow and become very dangerous if you are buried. Do not rest in the valley bottoms. It is recommended to carry a beacon, probe, shovel and wear a helmet when riding out of bounds. Also carrying a 20m piece of 7mm rope is useful for pulling someone out of a creek.
Out of bounds areas are OK for riding. Never enter strictly off limits areas, your pass will be confiscated. Have a good day.
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Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 200cm
- Base: 70cm
All lifts are normally operating
All courses normally open EXCEPT the following:
- Miharashi
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: 135cm
- Base: 82cm
All lifts are normally operating
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 145cm
- Base: 95cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT the following:
- Jumbo Number 4
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: 140cm
- Base: 90cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT the following:
- Country Road (which is normally rested anyway)
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 Monday 13th January 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 382cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 39 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 26cm (2nd January) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 207cm reported on 21 days January 2020 snowfall 90cm reported on 8 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.