Niseko Now: Friday 18th December 2020
- Dec 18, 2020
- 5 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 14cm
Snowfall at base this season 234cm
Posted on Friday 18th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko. And yes, the snow continues.
The ski areas themselves are this morning reporting 21-25cm of snow around base areas and 18-30cm on upper areas. The Niseko Avalanche Report is also reporting 40cm.
I have just measured 14cm in my spot. (Thought there would be more, but that's what it says, so that's the number). Still, good to hear that there's another up-to-40cm on the mountain and conditions should be really great again this morning. There is indeed a fair number of people lined up waiting for the lifts to start up.
Visibility is variable across the mountain but we are expecting the snow clouds to remain over the region today and beyond. It is going to be around Tuesday before we can expect generally clearer skies.
Yesterday the upper part of the Super course and the Furiko courses were opened at Niseko Grand Hirafu. So we are gradually seeing more opening up and it will be interesting to see what changes the weekend may bring.
Night skiing starts for the season here in Niseko from tomorrow. The Grand Hirafu, Village and Annupuri areas all offer floodlit evening operations until 8:00pm (none at Hanazono). I'll add more details on night skiing to the reports when I have it all checked and gathered.
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I don't know how many of you read the other Now daily reports on SnowJapan, but may I suggest you check the Yuzawa Now report over the last few days?
The Yuzawa area of Niigata Prefecture is traditionally used to very large amounts of snow, but it has been getting an absolute pounding this week. They have gone from having 0cm of snow to over 2m of it! In town!!!! That's just crazy.
As much as I love getting large amounts of snow, I'm not sure if I want that much in such a short period of time. Almost scary.
It was on the national news yesterday that 1000 vehicles have been stranded on the Kanetsu Expressway in that area - for more than a day now - and gradually they have been getting more snowed in as it continues to snow.
If you remember, Niigata had an uncharacteristically poor season last year. So at least it is good to hear that they are back to getting to the kind of snowfall they expect.
Gambatte, everyone. And take care in all that deep snow.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base Moiwa, Annupuri Base: -7℃, moderate west wind, 30 - 40cm new snow. Annupuri 1000m:-12℃, W15m/s, 100cm snowdrift growth. Hanazono 1000m:-12.6℃, W15m/s(10min max). Coastal Data. Cape Benkei: NW16m/s. Cape Kamui:WNW10m/s, 1014hPa, wave 2.3m. Kutchan Town: -5.4℃, WSW1.9m/s, snow depth 77cm, 1014.3hPa.
The cold air flowing in has slowed however the snow continues to fall. From 3am to 6am 15cm new snow fell. Above 1000m, winds over 15m.s continue with cornice and snow drift development. Snow drift consolidation continues. There possibility of avalanche from a deep layer on steep south facing slopes and cliffs, like Haru no Taki, with fracture face over 100cm.Do not duck ropes looking for fresh snow. Beware cornices suddenly collapsing.
Avalanches occur when conditions are right. They are only accidents when people are involved. Avalanche forecasts should focus on how the snow falls rather than the amount of snowfall. When wind speed is over 25m/s in strong snowfall, the development speed of snowdrifts is greater than the consolidation speed on leeward slopes, so weak layers break and avalanches are likely to occur. In bad weather, it is better stay off leeward slopes and out of the creeks.
Get your beacons and helmets ready. We will soon be able to ski off piste. Niseko Rules respects your freedom to ride , but always keeps safety in mind. The snow is great. Have a good day.
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Ski resort operation information: Friday 18th December 2020
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 190cm (+10cm)
- Base: 115cm (+10cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Ace Family quad
- Ace Number 2 Center quad
- King Number 3 quad
Courses available:
- Family
- Sennoki
- Alpen
- Super (upper area)
- Green
- Furiko
- Kokutai
- Detour for Beginners
- Center
- Shirakaba
- Rinkan (lower part)
- Jumbo
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 150cm (+5cm)
- Base: 96cm (+6cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
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Niseko Annupuri
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 120cm (+10cm)
- Base: 90cm (+10cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad
Courses available:
- Utopia Course
- Shirakaba Course
- Family Course
- Paradise Course
- Dynamic Course
- Junior Course
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Niseko Village
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 115cm (+5cm)
- Base: 80cm (+10cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair
- Banzai Chair
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Night time operations are available in the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas from Saturday 19th December 2020.
There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area.
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Friday 18th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 234cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 19 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (10th November and 15th December) November 2020 snowfall 62cm reported on 6 days December 2020 snowfall 172cm 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.