Niseko Now: Tuesday 16th January 2024
- Jan 16, 2024
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 597cm
Posted on Tuesday 16th January 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Yesterday was a day of wind and snow. I am guessing the wind is affecting snowfall numbers this morning. The ski areas reporting 20-25cm, the Avalanche Report mentioning up to 40cm. My observed/measured number is 12cm. Pick your number, but whichever you choose there is a lot of fresh out there and conditions should be excellent this morning. It is a cold morning, so be sure to be wrapped up and definitely take care with limited visibility.
It does not feel as windy to me outside, but as of 8:30am the top lifts at all of the ski areas are on hold, as is the gondola at Annupuri.
Some nice big flakes of snow falling outside my window. :)
It looks like we might get to enjoy some clear skies and sunshine tomorrow and perhaps a several days of the snow easing off.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base 6am: -9C, 40cm snowfall in 12h. Moiwa 800m: -18.9C, N10.7m/s (max20m/s). Mikaeri live-cam: -11C, strong snow & wind, 300cm snowpack, poor visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -13.9C, NW7.9m/s, 40cm snowfall. Village 1000m: -12.5C, NW6.4m/s, 15cm snowfall at the base in 12h. Hirafu Hanazono: -13.1C, N10.6m/s. Hanazono#3: -11.2C, N7.6m/s. Coastal data: Benkei cape NNW15m/s, Kamui cape N11m/s, 1013hPa, 2.8m waves.
Wintery pressure distribution continues with northerly wind and snowfall. Looking at observations results and weather data, the snowfall speed overrides the stabilisation of the snowpack. The avalanche risk remains high in the Kozan no Sawa (Backbowl), O-sawa (Annupuri Bowl), Higashi-One (East ridge) areas. Do not stay put at the bottom of the gullies, avalanches come from above you. All gates above 800m elevation will be shut. Mizuno no Sawa area (gate11) is controlled and is scheduled to open. Please follow the ski patrol’s instructions. Looking at the snowfall transition, Chisenupuri SE face, SW gully, Nitonupuri SE tree-runs are also hazardous today. Avalanches do occur even in the tree-runs. Do not duck ropes in Mizuno no Sawa to access Haru no Taki area. Extremely hazardous conditions today. Overconfidence and ignorance are the number one cause of accidents. Precaution is key to staying safe. The snow condition is deep and fantastic. Guides and leaders are responsible for the party’s safety. Have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Tuesday 16th January 2024
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day at the time of writing and subject to change.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 310cm (-5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 140cm (-5cm since yesterday)
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 25cm
- Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 260cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 200cm (no change since yesterday)
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 200cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 180cm (+10cm since yesterday)
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 258cm
- Base: 172cm
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Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Wednesday 20th March 2024.
Night skiing is usually until 7:00pm at Hirafu, Hanazono, Village and until 7:30pm at Annupuri.
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Tuesday 16th January 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 597cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 49 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 62cm (8th January) November 2023 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 days December 2023 snowfall 247cm reported on 24 days January 2024 snowfall 230cm 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.