Niseko Now: Saturday 14th February 2015
- Feb 14, 2015
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 15cm
Snowfall at base this season 937cm
Posted on Saturday 14th February 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Morning, and I have another 15cm of snow to report from my place here in Hirafu, with up to 30cm being reported by the mountain folk.
It's a cold morning and chill factor will be an issue so be sure to get comfy before starting out. Not fun being up there and realising you're just too cold!
Windy conditions again this morning with top lifts not moving at the beginning of the day and with strong winds forecast for the day and tomorrow too, not sure if there's much hope that they'll get going at all.
What's this... some blue sky over there in the direction of Mt Yotei and the sun making it's way through the cloud just now. Nope, just gone back behind a cloud and just light snow falling now. I think it'll be more snow than sun today, the snow forecast to continue being over the region into tomorrow.
Should be another great morning and a busy and bustling Saturday night! Hope you enjoy it.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -6C, 20cm snowfall in 12 hours with development of snowdrifts. Moiwa 800m: N10m/s, -8C, 30cm snowfall with snowdrift development. Annupuri 1000m snowpack 300cm. Hirafu 1000m NE10m/s, -8C, snowdrift development. Peak 1308m: NNW18.5m/s, -10.3C. Coastal data: Benkei cape N14m/s, Kamui cape NNE9m/s, 1002hPa, 1.7m waves.
A moderate snowstorm is continuing in the winter weather pattern, 50cm soft slabs of new snowdrifts are accumulating in leeward slopes above 700m and is likely to slide from Feb 13th layer (40cm crown). The avalanche risk is high in leeward slopes, around cornices and knolls above 800m. Avoid those terrains, follow the ridge and drop into the trees from lower altitude. Better stay away from valley bottoms. Surface slab slides of 40cm crown and 100m running distance are to be highly expected in Moiwa bowl, Annupuri Osawa cornice zones, all Backbowl area and all Higashi-One area. Peak gates opening is yet to be decided, please follow the ski patrol’s instructions. All areas around Niseko are similarly hazardous, carefully plan your touring routes. The snow wind-affected, moderately packed, not to fast not too slow, tracks are overall reset and in good condition. Choose a harder wax for cold stormy days. Be safe!!
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Official resort snow depths:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 430cm
Base - 155cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 300cm
Base - 190cm
Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 335cm
Base - 200cm
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Saturday 14th February 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 937cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 64 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th & 26th December and 11th February) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 519cm reported on 25 days January 2015 snowfall 257cm reported on 23 days February 2015 snowfall 131cm reported on 11 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.