Niseko Now: Monday 18th December 2017
- Dec 18, 2017
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 25cm
Snowfall at base this season 372cm
Posted on Monday 18th December 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
The good news continues.
Heavy snowfall since last night; it is currently snowing heavily and I measured 25cm of fresh snow on the ground here by Hirafu base.
And.
There's lots more snow scheduled to arrive over the next few days.
Marvellous.
I've got some computer stuff to do this morning and while the conditions should be really great, it's very cold and visibility looks rather limited so I'm not feeling to hard done by. Time for some extra celebratory toast.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -7°, 25cm new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m : -10°, WSW3.5m/s, 30cm new snow, slow snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -13°, W10m/s, 30cm new snow, snowdrift development. Hirafu 1200m: -14°, W10m/s, 30-40cm new snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NW14m/s. Kamui Cape: WSW10m/s, 1016hPa, wave 1.4m.
A weak snow wind continues with the East/West low pressure arrangement, snow drifts are developing slowly, however because of the amount of snow that has fallen, around 800m growth has been over 60cm . From impact test, 50cm slab is breaking easily and stabilisation is delayed. There is the possibility of a large scale avalanche in the following areas -West Ridge south slope, Mikaeri Bowl, East Ridge cornice slope, Strictly off Limits Haru no Taki and Yu no Sawa side wall. The snow is deep and good in the forest.
The snow wind is relatively weak at 15m/s but has continued for a long time, so a lot of snow has built up. Avoid riding under cornices, knolls and lift lines. Do not duck ropes to ride out of bounds. Others will follow 1 track, leading to higher risk of accident. Careful of frostbite. Have a good day.
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Monday 18th December 2017
What's planned to be open today in Niseko (subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Lifts operating:
- Ace Number 3 Pair lift
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift (* nighta)
- Ace Family quad lift (* nighta)
- King Number 3 quad lift
- Hirafu Gondola (* nighta)
- Holiday Number 1 pair lift (* nighta)
- Swinging Monkey
- King Number 4
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad lift
- Hanazono Number 2 quad lift
- Hanazono Number 3 quad lift
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift (* nighta)
- Jumbo Number 2 pair lift
- Jumbo Number 4 pair lift
- Dream Number 1 quad lift
Niseko Village
Lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola
- Banzai Chair
- Community Chair (* nighta)
- Upper Village Gondola (* nighta)
- Village Express (* nighta)
- Wonderland Chair
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Official resort snow depths on Monday 18th December 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 280cm
Base - 130cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Top - 170cm
Base - 120cm
Niseko Village
Top - 170cm
Base - 110cm
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Floodlit 'nighta' skiing:
Night skiing is planned for every evening at the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area. Ski lifts that are scheduled to be operating for nighta are noted above.
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Monday 18th December 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 372cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 28 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 29cm (20th November) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 184cm reported on 17 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.