Niseko Now: Tuesday 14th January 2020
- Jan 14, 2020
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 9cm
Snowfall at base this season 391cm
Posted on Tuesday 14th January 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Well, this is something of a nice surprise! It is a very cold morning and I have a decent 9cm of lovely fresh snowfall to report to you.
Excellent. I can't say I was expecting that. Thank you.
For what it's worth, Niseko Grand Hirafu are this morning increasing the 'official snow depth' number from 200cm to 220cm. I make that an increase of 20cm. (And the Avalanche Report is also mentioning 20cm too). It sounds like generally there was more snowfall over on the western side of the mountain.
I think some of us need to get up there. Just to check. For research. Serious stuff.
Right now it is cloudy with (very) light snow falling in places and that seems to be the kind of thing we should expect for the day today, and probably some sunshine tomorrow morning.
-----
Top Jumbo lift at Niseko Annupuri is still not moving and the King Number 2 quad at Niseko Grand Hirafu is being rested. Most gates are scheduled to be open.
-----
Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6.00am: -8°, 20cm new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: 2.8m/s 332 deg NNW, -9.5°. Hirafu 1000m: 1.0m/s 352deg N, -11.7°. Hanazono 720m: 1.6m/s 12 deg N, -9.2°. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW8m/s. Kamui Cape W5m/s, 1020hPa, wave 0.8m.
15-20cm of new snow fell overnight on the west side of the mountain. Due to the low winds and minimal slab formation the general avalanche risk is low. Be careful falling into creeks in ungroomed areas, the new snow has hidden holes. There is the possibility of surface slab avalanches on south facing slopes due to slab formation from solar radiation. Strictly off limits area Haru no Taki knoll is dangerous. The bamboo is still thick in areas below 600m. If you miss the right track out you could get stuck in the bushes for a long time.
Snow conditions are good. Niseko is famous for potatoes, but not on ski runs, so groomer drivers have been burying last week's crop in the new snow. Be careful hitting trees on the sides of the runs. We recommend wearing a helmet. Most gates are expected to be open. Please listen the patrols advice before going through the gates. Have a good day.
-----
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 220cm
- Base: 80cm
All lifts are normally operating EXCEPT:
- King Number 2 quad lift
All courses normally open
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
-----
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 135cm
- Base: 82cm
All lifts are normally operating
-----
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
-----
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 Tuesday 14th January 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 391cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 40 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 99cm reported on 9 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.