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Niseko Now: Sunday 19th February 2017

  • Feb 19, 2017
  • 3 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido


New snowfall at base 16cm
Snowfall at base this season 530cm

Posted on Sunday 19th February 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here


A very good morning to you from Niseko.


This is a bit more like it.


There's a decent 16cm of fresh snow on the ground this morning here at base; with most of that coming overnight.


What's more, there's not much wind this morning and all areas should be open.


Snow forecast for the next few days, on-and-off at times and heavier at times, so fingers crossed the cm will keep on piling up. More and more please, come on let's keep it going.


I think it's time to ski and check out this fresh snow...


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Niseko Avalanche Report:


Mountain base: -10°, 25cm new snow. Moiwa 800m: -12°, W10m/s, 30cm new snow, 60cm snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m, -15°, W12m/s, 40cm new snow. Hirafu 1250m, -16°, W10m/s, 30cm new snow. Coastal data: Kamui Cape:NW8m/s, 1010hPa, wave 2.1m.


Wind is starting to drop and under 1000m elevation 30-40cm has fallen. The snowdrifts are continuing to stabilize however cornices are still fracturing easily. From snowfall transition and observation, Back Bowl around 1200m, Osawa cornice face 1100m and East Ridge cornice slope there is the possibility of large scale surface slab avalanche from the 17 Feb layer. Snowdrifts are still stabilizing- avoid riding open steep slopes and cornice slopes.


The snow is good in the forests. Do not wait in valley bottoms, this is an avalanche path and you may be caught in one. All peak gates are expected to open but at delayed time. Do not duck ropes to get out of bounds. Mountain condition is fantastic, have a good day.


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Official resort snow depths as of Sunday 19th February 2017:


Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono

Top - 330cm

Base - 135cm


Niseko Village

Top - 290cm

Base - 140cm


Niseko Annupuri

Top - 315cm

Base - 140cm


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Night skiing is planned until Monday 20th March 2017 at the Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village resort areas. There is no nighta in the Hanazono area.



Niseko Now 2016-2017 season

Data as of Sunday 19th February 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 530cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 65 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 181cm reported on 22 days January 2017 snowfall 152cm reported on 18 days February 2017 snowfall 87cm 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.


SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for.



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