Niseko Now: Friday 17th January 2020
- Jan 17, 2020
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 31cm
Snowfall at base this season 428cm
Posted on Friday 17th January 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Well, this is a very nice surprise. It seems I might have missed the forecasts yesterday or something. But whatever, I am more than happy to have not noticed this upcoming...
I am very excited to be able to report a lot of fresh snowfall this morning.
I have measured 31cm of it! That is the biggest number of the season so far. Excellent.
And it has mostly been delivered overnight, so early morning should be great this morning.
If I were the type to at times carefully use hype-tastic cheesy marketing proclamations, today would probably be one of the days when I would feel justified in using them. But don't worry, I'll keep the cheese in my fridge as I quickly head out onto the mountain. I need to check things out for myself.
Take care and enjoy if you are up here thanking your timing!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: calm, 30cm of snowfall in 24h, -7℃. Moiwa800m: 317°(NW) 6.8m/s, -8.6℃, 30-40cm snowfall, -8.8℃. Hirafu1000m: 58°(ENE) 2.4m/s, -11.2℃. Hanazono 720m: 228°(WSW) 3.0m/s, -8.3℃. Sea of Japan Benkei cape: NW13m/s, Kamui cape: SW11m/s, 1017hPa, 1.3m waves. Annupuri1000m snow depth 135cm.
The avalanche hazard evaluation in Niseko is mainly based on observing the stability of the snowdrifts (slabs). The stabilization is delayed when strong wind (20+m/s) generates drastic development of snowdrifts, and a slight riding stimulation can easily trigger a slide. The mountain is blanketed with 30-40cm of light snow, however there are no notable developments of slabs. According to observations and data evaluations, the general avalanche risk is low, except for 40°steep slopes above 1000m elevation. Most gates are scheduled to open from the morning.
A new anemometer has been installed at the head of Mizuno no Sawa and the research cat track has been connected to Moiwa. Creeks are still open under a shallow layer of fresh snow. Carrying a shovel and a short rope is recommended. The groomers are also in epic conditions. Make sure your pocket zippers are closed. Seems like a beautiful day today.
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Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 230cm
- Base: 90cm
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: 156cm
- Base: 100cm
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: 165cm
- Base: 105cm
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 Friday 17th January 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 428cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 43 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 31cm (17th January) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 207cm reported on 21 days January 2020 snowfall 136cm reported on 12 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.