Niseko Now: Thursday 16th January 2020
- Jan 16, 2020
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 4cm
Snowfall at base this season 397cm
Posted on Thursday 16th January 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I have just been out and measured 4cm of fresh snowfall outside my place. It remains cold and light snow is currently falling in places but visibility remains fairly good for the moment. It looks like there is a chance of some heavier snow later on, though I wouldn't expect anything significant (but would be totally happy to be wrong).
The chance of the next decent delivery of snow looks to be for early next week.
All lifts should be operating as planned.
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As we are now in at the middle point of January:
Last year, I observed 285cm of snowfall for the whole of the month January; 305cm the season before. In January 2017, I observed 152cm.
So far this year my observed number for the first half of the month is 105cm.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moutain base: -8℃, 3cm of crystal snow, calm. Moiwa800m: 337°(NNW) 6.0m/s, -9.1℃, 5cm snowfall, no snowdrifts. Hirafu1000m: 296°(WNW) 1.7m/s, -11.3℃, 5cm snowfall, wind is picking up at the peak and some snowdrifts are developing. Hanazono720m: 325°(NNW) 5.0m/s, -8.9℃. Sea of Japan Benkei cape: NNW8m/s, Kamui cape: WNW2m/s, 1018hPa, 0.5m waves. Annupuri 1000m snow depth 135cm.
The atmospheric pressure gradient is flat and the weather is calm. There are no notable development of snowdrifts and cornices. The general avalanche risk is low. Peak gates will open from the morning, gate 2&3 will close at 1:30pm, gate6 at 3pm. Fresh snow is shallow but good snow. Beware of your route, thick bushes and holes are present in lower elevation.
Yesterday after closure of gate 6, 2 people have forcefully crossed the gate after lashing out disrespectful words to the ski patrol. We would like to ask once more to have everyone respect the Niseko Rules. These Rules apply to every single person using the Niseko resort facilities, no matter their nationality, race, age, gender or experience level. Niseko might be a small mountain in a far-eastern country, however have spent many serious years preventing accidents for all visitors and locals. The Rules are not implemented for promoting tourism. We respect everyone’s freedom to ride, but we also do care about their safety. Beware of sudden weather changes. Have a great day.
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Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 205cm
- Base: 85cm
All lifts are normally operating EXCEPT:
- King Number 2 quad lift (normally rested)
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: 95cm
All lifts are normally operating
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 155cm
- 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: 155cm
- Base: 95cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT:
- Country Road (normally rested)
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 Thursday 16th January 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 397cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 42 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 105cm reported on 11 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.