Niseko Now: Sunday 14th December 2014
- Dec 14, 2014
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 30cm
Snowfall at base this season 241cm
Posted on Sunday 14th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
'It just doesn't stop snowing' is what I heard a few people say yesterday, and sometimes it feels like that.
Another 30cm of snow observed since last report and the official numbers are gradually going up as well with Niseko Grand Hirafu nearly up to the 2m mark at peak. Take a look at the Avalance Report below... 50cm of new snowfall at Annupuri 1000m. It probably shows how much we are use to things here and how much we expect when the snowfall we have been having is seen as 'still insufficient'!
There's more on the way though. It might ease tomorrow but heavy snowfall is again forecast from later Tuesday through Wednesday with a good chance of strong winds as well.
Did I mention it's keeping very cold? -8 here earlier and that was at base. Shouldn't be quite as cold from tomorrow.
So great snow conditions to play in at the moment, and still things are not as busy as they will soon be getting so a it's a fine time to be able to get out there.
Hope you can get to enjoy it. Don't get stuck in it!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -8C, 30cm of broken crystal snow and light development of snowdrifts. Moiwa 650m: WNW10m/s, 40cm of new snow and moderate development of snowdrifts. Coastal data: NW16m/s at Benkei cape. Anupuri 1000m: W13m/s, -12CX, 50cm of new snow and bad visibility.
The strong atmospheric pressure gradient is generating continuous snowfall. Cornices and snowdrifts are developing above 800m. The snow is slightly wind-affected, heavy and deep but in good shape. The snow is deep and you’ll easily get stuck in flat slopes, better stay close to the groomers. Beware of hitting trees. The snow is still insufficient and the gates opening will take some more time. Do not duck ropes to step out of bounds, always use gates. Niseko’s backcountry safety has been based on this simple rule in Niseko. Please follow the rules to protect the freedom of out of bounds riding. The avalanche risk is relatively high in all areas around Niseko today, especially around 800m leeward open steep slopes. Carefully select your route. No matter the snowfall amount, avalanches happen when the conditions are right, and become an accident if a person is involved. Beware of frostbites. Have a nice day.
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Here's what is planned to be open today (subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Courses:
Family Course, Sen-no-ki, Alpen, Detour for Beginners, Green, Onsenzawa, Center, Shirakaba, Kokutai, Kogen, Ni-Kabe, Jumbo, Parallel, Rinkan, Setsuzoku, Jumbo, Parallel, Holiday
Lifts:
Ace Family Lift, Ace Number 2 Center Four lift, Ace Number 3 lift, Holiday Number 1 Pair lift, Hirafu Gondola, King Number 3 Triple lift, Swinging Monkey.
Night skiing lifts:
Ace Family Pair lift, Ace Number 2 Center Four lift, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 Pair lift
Niseko Hanazono
Courses: Stairway to Heaven, Silver Dream, Legend of Shinya, Yotei Sunset, Crystal Garden
Lifts: All 3 quad lifts operating
Night skiing lifts: No night skiing at Hanazono
Niseko Village
Courses:
Final Fling, Shaky Knees, Next Stage, Banzai, Cruiser, Don't Blink, beginners course from Gondola, Junkyard, Namara (part ungroomed), Jagaimo (ungroomed), Misoshiru (ungroomed)
Lifts:
Niseko Gondola, Community Chair, Banzai Chair
Night skiing lifts:
Community Chair and Banzai Chair
Niseko Annupuri
Courses:
Paradise, Family, Challenge, Marchen, Dynamic, Junior, Utopia, Shirakaba, Silver (9 out of 13 courses open)
Lifts:
Annupuri Gondola, Jumbo Number 1 Quad, Jumbo Number 2 Pair, Jumbo Number 3 Pair
Night skiing lift:
Jumbo Number 1 Quad
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Official snow depth numbers at the time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 190cm
Base - 110cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 120cm
Base - 80cm
Annupuri:
Top - 130cm
Base - 100cm
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Sunday 14th December 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 241cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 18 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (7th December) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 211cm reported on 13 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.