Niseko Now: Monday 18th March 2024
- Mar 18, 2024
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 865cm
Posted on Monday 18th March 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
It might not be the most lovely fluffy snow, (I'm being kind), but we do have a bit this morning. I have measured just under 3cm since yesterday, though some of that is already gone. Hirafu and the Avalanche Report are both reporting up to 10cm.
It should be getting colder and all being well we might get some more by tomorrow.
Alas, it is windy and the top lifts on hold this morning, as is the gondola at Annupuri.
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エース第2クワッド(センターフォー)
The snappily named 'Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four)' lift at Niseko Grand Hirafu ski area was apparently the first quad lift to open in Japan.
It opened in 1985 and will have its last day on Sunday 31st March 2024. Otsukaresama deshita for 38 years of service!
To commemorate the end of its working life, Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu is holding a charity auction through 31st March to sell off up to 30 of the 4-seater lift chairs.
(An unspecified part of) the proceeds will be donated to the ‘Protect Our Winters Japan’ campaign.
It doesn’t seem like you need to promise how to use it if you win, but you need to promise to not re-sell it and to ‘treat it well’ considering its heritage. The official blurb says that some companies wanted chairs to repurpose as benches, etc.
I’d go to the official site if you were interested in these things.
On the related subject, and as mentioned before, a shiny new gondola is going to replace the quad lift.
Work on the new gondola is going to start on the lower section of Ace area from 1st April, meaning some of those lower areas will be closed to skiers and snowboarders from that date.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base 6am: -1℃, wet snow 10cm. Moiwa 800m: -3℃, NNW12.5m/s (20m/s@4am). Mikaeri 764m: -3℃NW5.1m/s, blizzard. Annupuri 1100m: -5.7℃, NNW7.5m/s (20m/s@4am). Hirafu Hanazono: -5.3℃, NNW17.7m/s (25m/s@4am). Hanazono 800m: -3.2℃, NNE0.6m/s. Coastal data: Benkei cape 13m/s, Kamui cape ENE5m/s, 998hPa, 2.2m waves.
Evaluating all data and observation results, the avalanche risk is extremely high in leeward slopes under 800m elevation where cornices and snowdrifts have drastically developed. The peak of the storm was at around 4am and even if the wind had calmed down now, it will take all day for the snow slabs to stabilise. Most gates will be kept shut today. The chair lifts might operate, but please refrain from ducking the ropes to access the out of bounds areas. It is a dangerous day today and completely different conditions fro yesterday. The snow is wet, but is not bad for this time of the season. Beware of overspeeding and hitting trees. The wave height of the Sea of Japan is also rising. Act wisely.
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Individual ski area information for Monday 18th March 2024
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day at the time of writing and subject to change.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 300cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 100cm (+10cm since yesterday)
Planned closing date (subject to conditions):
- Monday 6th May 2024
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 3cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 260cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 163cm (+3cm since yesterday)
Planned closing date (subject to conditions):
- Sunday 7th April 2024
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 220cm
- Base: 130cm
Planned closing date (subject to conditions):
- Monday 6th May 2024
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 240cm
- Base: 133cm
Planned closing date (subject to conditions):
- Sunday 7th April 2024
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Monday 18th March 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 865cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 90 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 62cm (8th January) November 2023 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 days December 2023 snowfall 247cm reported on 24 days January 2024 snowfall 298cm reported on 24 days February 2024 snowfall 144cm reported on 20 days March 2024 snowfall 56cm reported on 11 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.