Niseko Now: Wednesday 19th February 2020
- Feb 19, 2020
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 5cm
Snowfall at base this season 608cm
Posted on Wednesday 19th February 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I have measured 5cm of really nice quality light snow close to my secret Hirafu base, with Hirafu and Hanazono both reporting 10cm on upper areas.
There's some snow lined up on the forecasts over the next few days, though probably not a significant amount. Another milder blip appears to be scheduled for around Saturday but it should be short lived with a return to colder and snow on Sunday.
For today, cloudy skies, light snow at times, perhaps some sunshine (as this report goes up, some sun shining through over at Hanazono). Perhaps changeable weather, similar to what we got yesterday...
All lifts appear to be opening as planned.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base: -6°, 5cm wind effected snow crystals in last 12hrs. Moiwa 800m: NW 307deg 2.6m/s (15m/s@2am) , -7.5°, 15cm snowdrift development. Yu no Sawa 1000m: WNW 284deg 1.9m/s, -9.9. Niseko Village 900m: SSW 258 deg 0.7m/s, -9.1°. Hirafu 1000m : N 344deg 1.9m/s, -9.7°. Hanazono 720m: N 345deg 1.8m/s, -7.6°. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NW 14m/s. Kamui Cape N 5m/s, 1019hPa, wave 1.8m.
Currently a typical winter weather pattern has set up with cold air flowing into the area. Above 800m on SE slopes there has been some minor snowdrift development. From tests there is no significant avalanche risk. Expect the snow flurries to continue to noon with bad visibility at times.
Below 800m yesterdays tracks are still showing, be careful falling and crashing into things. The high ridge lines have many holes in them, yesterday we had a broken leg. Hirafu Patrol rescued.
All gates are expected to be open, please listen to the patrols advice before going out the gates. Respect Niseko Rules and do not duck ropes. Once you go out the gates you are no longer in the ski resort. Have a good day.
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Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 265cm
- Base: 100cm
All lifts are normally operating EXCEPT:
- Ace Number 1 pair lift (normally rested)
- King Number 2 quad lift (normally rested)
All courses normally open
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Ace Family quad until 8:30pm
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad until 8:20pm
- Hirafu Gondola until 8:10pm
- Holiday Number 1 pair until 8:30pm
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 185cm
- Base: 110cm
All lifts are normally operating
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 180cm
- Base: 110cm
All lifts are normally operating
Lift scheduled for late operations:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad until 8:30pm
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 190cm
- Base: 110cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT:
- Country Road Chair (normally rested)
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Annupuri Village Gondola until 8:00pm
- Village Express until 8:00pm
- Banzai Chair until 8:00pm
Niseko Now 2019-2020 season |
Data as of Wednesday 19th February 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 608cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 64 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 33cm (21st January) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 207cm reported on 21 days January 2020 snowfall 224cm reported on 20 days February 2020 snowfall 92cm 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.