Niseko Now: Wednesday 15th January 2020
- Jan 15, 2020
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 393cm
Posted on Wednesday 15th January 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Light snow on and off through the day yesterday but it hasn't amounted to much new to report - I have 2cm down at base to add this morning. With the way it was falling at times, you'd think there'd be more... but there ain't.
Early cloud this morning but we might get some clearer skies - indeed, there are some breaks in the cloud already.
Good news about the Jumbo Number 4 at lift at Niseko Annupuri. It is open from today, along with the gate 2.
Hurray!
It is important to note that there isn't enough snow for all of the Champion Course at Annupuri to be open. That means that from the middle section of that course there is a detour that ventures into Niseko Village territory (the Wonderland course). Be aware that if you have an Annupuri-only lift ticket and want to ride the Wonderland lift to get back up - there'll be an extra charge. If you have an all mountain ticket, this is not an issue.
It is keeping cold which is of course a good thing. Just have some warm toast in a morning and wrap up well.
One day at a time.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -10℃, 5cm snowfall in 12h, calm. Moiwa 800m: 4.3m/s, 58°(ENE), -8.8℃. Hirafu 1000m: 1.5m/s, 10°(N), -10.7℃. Hanazono 720m: 0.8m/s, 338°(NNE), -8.6℃. Sea of Japan Benkei cape: SE3m/s, Kamui cape: calm, 1023hPa, 0.8m waves. Annupuri 1000m snow depth 135cm.
The atmospheric pressure gradient is flat and the weather is calm on the ocean and the mountains. There are no notable development of snowdrifts and cornices even above 800m. The general avalanche risk is low today. Due to a mild radiative cooling, the temperature is slightly lower at the base than in higher elevation. Long awaited opening of gate 2 in Annupuri is scheduled for today. It’s still very shallow snowpack at lower elevation. Beware of bushes and holes into creeks. Ask the ski patrol some advice before stepping out of the gate. Do not duck boundary ropes.
Although there are many tracks from yesterday, the snow remains fresh thanks to the low temperature and the slight overnight snowfall. If you can handle the bush crawling down low, you can enjoy some good turns. It’s highly recommended to carrying a beacon, a probe and a shovel, as well as wearing a helmet in the out of bounds area. Shallow slides are to be expected in steep 40°slopes. Ride one by one. Beware of over speeding, loosing control and crashing into a tree. Better not overestimate your skills and always be prudent. Humbleness will keep you away from accidents. Have a nice day.
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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
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 145cm
- Base: 82cm
All lifts are normally operating
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 145cm
- Base: 95cm
All lifts are normally operating
Lift scheduled for late operations:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad until 8:30pm
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 145cm
- Base: 95cm
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 Wednesday 15th January 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 393cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 41 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 101cm reported on 10 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.