Niseko Now: Friday 15th December 2017
- Dec 15, 2017
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 6cm
Snowfall at base this season 328cm
Posted on Friday 15th December 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I have another 6cm of fresh snowfall to report to you from base this morning.
It's not crazy cold this morning but light snow is currently falling and the forecast remains 'snowy' and cold.
I'm hearing... top lifts to open from tomorrow? That sounds like a jolly good idea to me.
So the pre-Christmas crowds that are about to arrive here should be on for a very fine week. Enjoy, my friends!
---
I was just taking a look at the numbers last night. With the 6cm in my report today, that brings my 'season so far' observed snowfall up to 328cm.
Last season I observed 688cm throughout the whole season!
So we are close to half of what fell for the entire season last time round. That's just nuts!
I like nuts.
---
Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -3°, 5cm new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m : -4.7°, W7.1m/s, 10cm new snow, snowdrift development. Annupuri 1100m: -6°, W15m/s, snowdrift development. Hirafu: 1000m, -5°, light winds, 10cm new snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NW16m/s. Kamui Cape SW14m/s, 1020hPa, wave 1.6m.
The winter weather pattern continues with a weak westerly snow wind at 15m/s at higher levels. New snowdrift growth around 1000m is easily fracturing. Groomers are in great condition with a light dusting of new snow on top. The atmospheric pressure gradient is starting to level out bringing better weather.
From observation, around 800m there is a layer evident from Dec 13, but the temperature change is small and the snow is good. The general avalanche risk is low. In south facing off limits areas there is possibility of avalanche from rider stimulation the fracture on Dec 10 layer. Don't duck ropes looking for fresh snow. Do not enter Strictly Off Limits areas.
The light is poor today and it is difficult to see the contours of the snow. Beware falls, collisions and falling into holes. You cant win against a tree and water is cold.
All top lifts are expected to run from tomorrow (16th). Have a good day.
---
Friday 15th December 2017
What's planned to be open today in Niseko (subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Lifts operating:
- Ace Number 3 Pair lift
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift (nighta)
- Ace Family quad lift (nighta)
- King Number 3 quad lift
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair lift
- Swinging Monkey
* All courses are open apart from Large and Dynamic.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad lift
- Hanazono Number 2 quad lift
- Hanazono Number 3 quad lift
* All lifts are operating
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift (nighta)
- Jumbo Number 2 quad lift
- Dream Number 1 quad lift
* Utopia, Shirakaba, Silver, Panorama, "S" ji, Paradise, Family, Dynamic and Junior courses are open.
Niseko Village
Lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola
- Banzai Chair
- Community Chair (nighta)
- Upper Village Gondola (nighta)
- Village Express (nighta)
- Morino Chair
* Top of Gondola to base is skiable.
---
Official resort snow depths on Friday 15th December 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 245cm
Base - 90cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Top - 135cm
Base - 90cm
Niseko Village
Top - 160cm
Base - 100cm
---
Floodlit 'nighta' skiing:
Night skiing is planned for every evening at the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area. Ski lifts that are scheduled to be operating for nighta are noted above.
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Friday 15th December 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 328cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 25 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 29cm (20th November) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 140cm 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.