Niseko Now: Sunday 18th December 2016
- Dec 18, 2016
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 247cm
Posted on Sunday 18th December 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
There is just a small amount of snowfall to report falling since my report yesterday and it is looking like we're now going to have a run of a few days without any fresh. Yes, the forecast is still showing lots of clearer and sunny weather conditions along with milder temperatures as well, though it shouldn't be rising much into positive (temperature) numbers. It's important that it keeps cold of course so that the snow we have keeps in good condition.
I had a fantastic morning yesterday and at this stage of the season the bar has been set. I expect big things in the coming weeks and months.
So when can we expect fresh snowfall? It looks like it might be around Thursday-Friday. In the meantime there's a lot of snow out there to enjoy and - for now - very good conditions. Let's enjoy the sunshine and blue skies while we can... Niseko doesn't usually get a whole lot of that in mid-season.
Having said that, there is still quite a lot of cloud around at the moment. The sun has been shining through at times this morning and it is forecast to be a fine day with temperatures forecast to rise to around +2C at base later on. Unfortunately it appears that strong gusty wind on the mountain is going to be an issue this morning (Niseko Grand Hirafu reporting westerly winds of 22m/s up top). Please see the resort-specific information below for the latest as I post this report.
It is of course now just one week to go before Christmas and with people continuing to arrive for the holidays, things continue to get livelier here. It should be noted of course that generally Christmas isn't a holiday as such here in Japan. Even with the 'tradition' of eating Kentucky Fried Chicken and light sponge cake on 24th December and then promptly taking the Christmas tree down! There's a handful of folk visiting Niseko from overseas though in recent years, so here in Niseko it is something of a holiday.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -2℃, no snowfall and calm. Coastal data Kamui cape SSW25m/s, 1013hPa, 1.8m waves. Moiwa peak: -3℃, no snowfall but the wind is blowing up the snow from the ground.
A strong SSW (20+m/s) is blowing above 1000m. There are no snowfall, however the wind is blowing the surface snow and developing unstable snowdrifts. Areas under 800m elevation are not affected by the wind, however is forecasted to pick up later. Some packed soft-slabs of 15cm thickness are forming in south facing slopes above 800m due to the wind and temperature. Boards and skis can get caught in those layer and make you loose control. Beware.
The avalanche risk is relatively low during the morning. 20cm thick surface slab slides can be triggered by riding stimulation in south-facing 30°slopes, which could also lead to a deeper layer slide. Be extra cautious in steep terrain.
Although the snowpack is small, avalanches could happen anytime the conditions aligns.
Not being in hazardous slopes and on the avalanche path is the best way to prevent accidents.
Beautiful weather this morning, have a great day.
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Resort specific opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):
Wind on mountain is affecting some lifts early this morning - the Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri gondolas as well as the mid lifts at Niseko Grand Hirafu (Ace 3, King 3 and Swinging Monkey). All three Hanazono lifts are on hold as well.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Lifts planned to be operating:
- Ace Family pair*
- Ace Number 2 Center Four*
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Hirafu Gondola*
- King Number 3 quad
- Holiday Number 1 pair*
- Swinging Monkey
Courses that are not yet open:
- Large
- Miharashi
- Dynamic
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts planned to be operating:
- Hanazono 1 quad
- Hanazono 2 quad
- Hanazono 3 quad
Courses planned to be open:
- All open apart from Hanazono Park
Niseko Village
Lifts planned to be operating:
- Niseko Gondola
- Upper Village Gondola*
- Village Express*
- Community Chair*
- Banzai Chair
- Morino Chair
Niseko Annupuri
Lifts planned to be operating:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad* (opening late this morning)
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair
- Annupuri Gondola
Courses planned to be open:
- Utopia
- Shirakaba
- Silver
- Paradise
- Junior
- Family
- Dynamic
- Marchen
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Official resort snow depths as of Sunday 18th December 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 230cm
Base - 105cm
Niseko Village
Top - 120cm
Base - 100cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 100cm
Base - 100cm
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Sunday 18th December 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 247cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 27 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 137cm reported on 13 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.