Niseko Now: Sunday 18th February 2018
- Feb 18, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 4, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 17cm
Snowfall at base this season 1093cm
Posted on Sunday 18th February 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
This morning I have 17cm of fresh snowfall to add to the reports, though with strong winds blowing it all about I suspect that you'll easily be able to find examples of more or less in different places.
Sun lovers! I'm afraid there doesn't look like there is much potential for clear skies and sunshine over the coming week. The snow clouds are due to be with us right through the week with regular snow continuing to fall. While a bit of sun and clearer skies would be nice every now and again so we can all take something of a breather and enjoy some lovely scenery, I'm guessing that most people who choose Niseko are more than happy to just see fresh snow coming down to continually fill in tracks. Anyway you never know we might get some breaks.
Unfortunately it's still windy out there and at the start of the day the Niseko Gondola and Annupuri Gondola as well as some other top lifts are affected. See below for latest update just before 8:30am. Pesky wind. But still, there's lots of lovely fresh snow everywhere to enjoy at the moment, so we can cope.
I hope you enjoy your Sunday wherever you are.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -8℃, 15cm snowfall. Moiwa 800m: northerly 16m/s at 5am, 10m/s at 6am, -10.8℃, large development of snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m: -13℃, NNW15m/s, difficult to groom due to large amount of snowdrifts. Hirafu1250m: -13℃, strong northerly gusts, 20cm snowfall with snowdrift development. Coastal data: Benkei cape N14m/s, Kamui cape NE10m/s, 1011hPa, 2.6m waves.
The winter pressure distribution has set in place, generating a strong northerly storm from last night to pre-dawn. The wind is settling down, however snowdrifts have developed drastically. Those new deposit of snow have reached 80cm in 12 hours in upper leeward slopes above 800m. The avalanche risk is high during the morning in Makeri bowl, Back bowl, Annupuri bowl and Higash-One. Potential trigger layer is Feb 17-18th low pressure snowfall.
Gates opening is unconfirmed; please respect the patrol’s decisions. The tree runs in leeward aspects are mostly reset, however better watch out as there are wind-blown spots and wind-loaded spots are mixed up. Accidents mostly occur during and just after storms. Ride one by one. Do not stimulate cornices and knolls. Do not stay put at the bottom of the valley as avalanches strike from above. Beware of cracks.
Helmets and beacons are not mandatory, however are highly recommended. Beacons may save not only your life but your buddy’s too. Have a nice day.
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Sunday 18th February 2018
Resort specific information (operations subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts (apart from King Number 2) should be operating
- Top Ace, King Number 4 and Hanazono Number 3 lifts on hold at the start of the day due to weather conditions
Official snow depth:
- Top: 510cm
- Base: 240cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts should be operating
- The Annupuri Gondola and top Jumbo Number 4 lifts are on hold at the start of the day due to wind conditions
Official snow depth:
- Top: 390cm
- Base: 260cm
Niseko Village
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts (apart from the Country Road Chair lift) should be operating
- The Niseko Gondola is on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds
Official snow depth:
- Top: 390cm
- Base: 280cm
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Sunday 18th February 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 1093cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 78 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (31st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 406cm reported on 27 days January 2018 snowfall 305cm reported on 26 days February 2018 snowfall 194cm 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.