Niseko Now: Monday 19th February 2018
- Feb 19, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 4, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 16cm
Snowfall at base this season 1109cm
Posted on Monday 19th February 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Here were are on another Monday morning.
And for you this morning I have another 16cm of fresh snowfall. It's snowing now and rather nicely too, with lovely big flakes coming down at some speed. That's what we like.
It has been an impressive week! I have reported an observed 169cm of snow over the last 8 reports and I note also that my total for the season has now risen to above 11m.
And it looks set to continue.
Here's hoping that there will be less wind today and while the report below mentions good visibility, at the time of me putting this report together things look rather limited.
Anyway, lovely snow conditions for those lucky enough to be here.
Oh yes, on that subject...
---
A predictably anonymous person who apparently got out on the wrong side of their bed yesterday had a right old moan at me via email for not being 'excited enough' in my last few reports.
I thought I was suitably excited, but just for that person:
Bottomless. Epic. Incredible. Massive. Amazing. All Time! (Etc)
Feel better now? Hopefully that has suitably improved the quality and believability of my reporting.
---
Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -10℃, 5cm snowfall, calm. Moiwa 800m: -11.1℃, light breeze, 15cm snowfall. Annupuri 1150m: -13℃, light breeze, 10cm snowfall. Hirafu 1250m: -15℃, light wind, 15cm snowfall, good visibility. Coastal data: Benkei cape WNW9m/s, Kamui cape SW12m/s, 1015hPa, 0.9m waves.
The isobars are spreading out and the ocean and mountains are in calm conditions. The snowdrifts developments have settled down and the snowpack is stable. The general avalanche risk is relatively low. Peak gates are expected to open. Please listen to the patrol’s advice, be geared up and step out of bounds.
The snowdrifts and cornices development above 1000m elevation during the past week has been quite extreme. Slides from Feb 16-17th low-pressure snowfall layer and/or uneven layers within the snowdrifts are still to be expected. Collapsing cornices or ski cutting could still trigger an avalanche in higher elevation. Do not traverse steep slopes or knolls terrains in the Backbowl and Osawa. An avalanche triggered in upper elevation would run through the valley and sweep everything on its path, including everybody at the bottom of the valley.
The snow in the tree runs below 1000m elevation is excellent. Beware of hitting trees and falling in cracks. Winter mountains are never 100% safe, but most risks can be avoided by being prudent. Monitoring of the strictly off limits areas are enforced, people being caught there will be banned from all Niseko resorts. Have you switched your beacon on? Beware of sudden weather changes. Have a nice day.
---
Monday 19th 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
Official snow depth:
- Top: 515cm
- Base: 245cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts should be operating
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
Official snow depth:
- Top: 390cm
- Base: 280cm
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Monday 19th February 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 1109cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 79 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 210cm reported on 15 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.