Niseko Now: Sunday 14th January 2018
- Jan 14, 2018
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 5cm
Snowfall at base this season 685cm
Posted on Sunday 14th January 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Brrrr, it was really cold out there and snowing lightly when I went out to measure the 5cm of fresh snow this morning. (Toast update: came back in and had some extra toast).
So yes, just 5cm to report today - sure, not enough to cover tracks from a busy day on the slopes yesterday, but good quality snow and certainly better than none and there should be a little more in higher areas. There's not much of a wind this morning so if you get wrapped up it should be a nice morning out.
If the forecasts are correct, we can expect clearer skies during the day today and then much milder conditions tomorrow with the chance of some snowfall (very probably not the quality of snow we have this morning).
---
Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -6°, trace new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m : -9°, 5cm new snow, calm, minor snow drift development from the west. Annupuri 1150m: -11°, light winds, 5cm new snow. Hirafu 1250m: -13°, 5cm new snow, calm. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NW6m/s. Kamui Cape: N8m/s,1025hPa, wave 1.0m.
The area is covered by a high pressure system and the mountains and seas are calm. There is no significant snow clouds over the Sea of Japan with little snowfall and snowdrift development in the last 12 hours. Yesterdays tracks can still be seen with less than 10cm new snow. From observation general avalanche risk is low. All gates are expected to be open. Listen to the patrols advice before going out of bounds. Do not duck the ropes.
Niseko Rules exist to make riding out of bounds safer. There have been increasing numbers of people who don't know the rules ducking ropes and getting lost. Accommodation providers and ticket counters in the area need make everyone aware of Niseko Rules. Do not enter Strictly Off Limits areas Haru no Taki and YunoSawa looking for fresh snow. If you get caught you will be banned from the all Niseko resorts.
Although yesterdays tracks remain, its cold and snow on and off the runs is good. Beware going fast and hitting trees, falling into cracks. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Have a good day.
---
Sunday 14th January 2018
Resort specific information (operations subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts are generally operating
- 'Early Morning' services from 8:00am until 8:20am (Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift). Until 28th January. 500 yen special ticket required.
Official snow depth:
- Top: 380cm
- Base: 165cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts are generally operating
Official snow depth:
- Top: 280cm
- Base: 170cm
Niseko Village
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts except Country Road Chair are generally operating
- 'Early Gondola' service from 7:30am until 8:30am (Niseko Gondola). January 14th, 20th-21st, 27th-28th; February 3rd-4th. 1,400 yen special ticket required.
Official snow depth:
- Top: 260cm
- Base: 160cm
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Sunday 14th January 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 685cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 49 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (21st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 406cm reported on 27 days January 2018 snowfall 91cm 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.