Niseko Now: Wednesday 15th February 2023
- Feb 15, 2023
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 835cm
Posted on Wednesday 15th February 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just a short while ago it was snowing heavily outside my place, though that has eased off considerably now. Webcams are all showing snow falling around the mountain and variable visibility this morning, and even a hint of sun again in places.
I'd say generally we have variable weather conditions again this morning. Even if we get clearer skies at times, snow showers probably won't be far away over the coming days. (And at the same time really heavy snow not expected).
Oh yes... another 10cm of snowfall since yesterday.
It is a cold morning and right now my thermometer outside reads -9C.
(As I am about to post this report, I have got some sun shining through my window again).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -10C, light wind, major snowdrift development, good visibility. Moiwa 800m: -13.2C, NW7.4m/s, major snowdrift development. Annupuri 1100m: -16.3C, NNW6.6m/s, light wind, major snow drift development. Mizuno no Sawa top: -14.9C, NNE10.7m/s. Hirafu Hanazono: -16.1C, NNE10.7m/s. Hanazono#3: -13.4C, NNE4.1m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NE7m/s, Kamui Cape E3m/s, 1019hPa, 1.9m waves.
A strong NE wind and snow yesterday afternoon and into the night caused heavy snowdrift development at all elevations. Above 700m the slopes are heavily affected by the wind with slopes re-shaped and inter mixed wind crust and snowdrifts. The snow drifted into the valleys is heavy and likely to catch an edge. From observation and tests the avalanche risk above 1000m is high. Gates 2 and 3 will be closed, other gates yet to be decided. Do not duck ropes to go out of bounds. The avalanche risk on Kozan no Sawa sidewall and Osawa cornice slope is high. NE snow storms generally create heavy poorly bonded slabs. From past records if these slabs let go, it's going to be big. Even at low altitudes below 800m, do not wait in the valley bottoms. The wind is expected to drop temporarily, but if the isobars tighten up the wind and snow will pick up again. Take action that fits the situation. You can prevent most accidents by being careful.
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Ski area information for Wednesday 15th February 2023
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day, weather permitting.
Official snow depth numbers in brackets show the change since previous report.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 365cm (+5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 160cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Ace Family quad [* open until for 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four) [* open until for 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- King Number 3 quad
- King Number 4
- Swinging Monkey
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 15cm
- Base: 15cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 300cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 245cm (+5cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 260cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 190cm (+10cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad [* open until 7:30pm for night skiing]
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair [* normally open on weekends and holidays]
- Jumbo Number 4 pair
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 235cm (+5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 210cm (+10cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Niseko Gondola
- Upper Village Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Banzai Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Wonderland Chair
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
- Number 1 pair lift
- Number 2 pair lift
- Quad lift
Niseko Now 2022-2023 season |
Data as of Wednesday 15th February 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 835cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 73 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (27th & 28th January, 6th February) November 2022 snowfall 17cm reported on 5 days December 2022 snowfall 336cm reported on 27 days January 2023 snowfall 332cm reported on 27 days February 2023 snowfall 150cm 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.