Niseko Now: Monday 13th November 2017
- Nov 13, 2017
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 9cm
Snowfall at base this season 9cm
Posted on Monday 13th November 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from my base here in Hirafu.
I actually have some snow to add to my report today, but I'll lead up to that with a bit of a look back at what has happened over the last few months...
The first little bits of sprinkly-like snow (?) was seen on the top of Mt Yotei at the end of September. That seems early to me, though I must confess to not being the kind to go overboard with pre-season snow dustings. I have a very long season ahead of me, so I like to keep my excitement for just before the season and then all the way through it!
We have gone through some snaps of wild weather this autumn season. After that typhoon that came through around October 22nd, I had some sleetly-like slush outside my door. It was more snow like a little higher up.
After that the first non-slushy proper snowflakes arrived down here 5th November. Less than 1cm.
As always, the contrast of late autumn colours and the frosting of snow has been just lovely.
Then this last Saturday we had some more wild, windy and rainy weather conditions. Overnight that rain turned into snow. And yesterday morning there was a nice layer of snow on the ground. I measured just under 8cm of snowfall here at base. With the previous slush and dusting, I'm going to add 9cm to the report this morning.
I wonder how much there will have been higher up?
As you can see from the webcam images this morning, there's not much to see lower down now other than some drops of rain with a green background, but there's a layer of snow higher up.
Yesterday was a really beautiful day. Lovely.
It's normal to get excited about the news of snow (of course), but I wouldn't get overly excited into think that ski lifts will suddenly start moving. Best way to think - if the resorts can open on their planned opening dates, that will be a very good thing. Fingers crossed.
And here are those planned opening dates:
Niseko Grand Hirafu:
Thursday 23rd November 2017 until Sunday 6th May 2018
Niseko Annupuri:
Saturday 25th November 2017 until Sunday 6th May 2018
Niseko Village:
Friday 1st December 2017 until Sunday 8th April 2018
Niseko Hanazono:
Saturday 2nd December 2017 until Sunday 8th April 2018
Floodlit 'nighta' skiing schedule:
Saturday 9th December 2017 until Sunday 18th March 2018
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Monday 13th November 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 9cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 1 day Most snowfall observed in 1 day 9cm (13th November) November 2017 snowfall 9cm reported on 1 day |
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.