Niseko Now: Monday 15th December 2014
- Dec 15, 2014
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 45cm
Snowfall at base this season 286cm
Posted on Monday 15th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
What's this... blue skies?! The sun is out this morning.
But what's this... close to half a metre of fresh snowfall?! Oh yes.
With reports of 60cm or so on the mountain it's one of those mornings where you just HAVE to get the skis or board on and get out. Deep fresh powder along with a rare and perhaps unexpected break in the clouds. Almost perfect. It probably won't last long!
The Morino Chair lift is now operating at Niseko Village and the really good sign is that the individual ski resorts are now not feeling the need to have to report on what courses are open. Which means that most of the mountain is now open.
As mentioned in the Avalanche Report below, we now just wait for the gates to get opened and the top lifts. Still, conditions are so good elsewhere that there's surely more than enough to keep everyone happy. (Well maybe almost everyone!)
The Gondola at Niseko Village, King Number 3 lift at Grand Hirafu and the top Hanazono lift are moving this morning, but have been running at reduced speeds early on due to a moderate wind.
Snowfall will be back maybe even soon today but definitely tomorrow, and as with many regions of Japan once again we expect heavy snowfall and strong winds.
After that slow start, December 2014 is shaping up nicely.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -8C, 40cm of crystal snow without snowdrift development. Coastal data: NNE9m/s at Benkei cape. Moiwa 650m: 60cm of new snow without snowdrift development. Annupuri 1000m: 120cm snowpack and 250cm snowpack in leeward slopes around 800m.
Snow clouds are expanding throughout the Sea of Japan coastline and dropping heavy loads of snow in coastal mountain areas. 60cm of new snow has dumped in some areas but snowdrifts development is minimal. Snow and wind is forecasted to pick up again and will make cornices and slabs grow. Avalanches from Dec 10th layer are to be expected in steep exposed slopes above 800m. Newly formed slabs are getting thicker and although they are relatively stable, large-scale avalanches are still likely to happen with a slight stimulation around knoll terrains. The snowpack is steadily growing and gates below 1000m are being ready to open soon. Please be patient for a little longer.
Do not duck ropes. Deep and light powder snow can be found along the courses today. Be careful not to get stuck. The storm will pick up soon. Remain in control and be careful not to fall. You can easily get suffocated in deep snow.
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Here's what is planned to be open today (subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Courses:
Super Course and Furiko Courses now open
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
Lifts operating:
Niseko Gondola, Community Chair, Banzai Chair, Morino Chair
Night skiing lifts:
Community Chair and Banzai Chair
Niseko Annupuri
Lifts operating:
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 - 120cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 140cm
Base - 100cm
Annupuri:
Top - 130cm
Base - 110cm
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Monday 15th December 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 286cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 19 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th December) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 256cm reported on 14 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.