Niseko Now: Monday 19th January 2015
- Jan 19, 2015
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 743cm
Posted on Monday 19th January 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from my base here in Hirafu and there's another 10-15cm of fresh snow this morning an up to 20cm being reported higher up.
Earlier on when I got up it was just overcast and cloudy, later on snowing quite heavily for a short while, but currently it is snowing lightly. There's even a hint of light blue sky behind thin clouds over there by Hanazono and a brief bit of sunshine here and there.
Forecast is for moderate snowfall later on today, later this afternoon or tonight and then into tomorrow. For the moment it's fairly calm but stronger winds may also prevail later.
It does look like all of the gates are going to be open this morning. Yey!
Take care and have fun.
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Resort specific news at time of writing - subject to change during the day
Niseko Grand Hirafu:
Looks set to be open as planned this morning.
'Early Morning' lift available daily until 1st February (for 500 yen, Ace Quad Number 2 lift from 8am until 8:20am).
Niseko Hanazono:
Looks set to be open as planned this morning.
Niseko Village:
Looks set to be open as planned this morning.
'Early Morning Gondola' available Saturdays and Sundays until February 8th (for 1300 yen, Gondola open from 7:30am until 8:30am).
Niseko Annupuri:
Looks set to be open as planned this morning.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -7C, mild wind, 15cm snowfall in 12 hours. Moiwa 800m: -7C, light breeze, 20cm snowfall with development of snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m: S5m/s, 20cm snowfall. Hirafu peak ridge: -13C, mild wind, 20cm snowfall. Benkei cape S4m/s, Kamui cape NNW2m/s, 1009hPa, 0.5m waves.
The atmospheric pressure gradient is small. The ocean and the mountains are in calm conditions. 15-30cm of light crystal snow has fallen in the last 12 hours. The snowdrifts that developed in the last couple of days have mostly stabilized and the general avalanche risk is relatively low. All gates are scheduled to open from the morning. Bear in mind that the stabilization of the slabs in 1100m areas is delayed due to lower temperature. Human triggered avalanche are still likely to occur in cornice/knoll/gully terrain of steep faces. Be aware that the out of bounds area is not a resort no more. Consequences can be serious, better not make light of the risk you’re taking. Ride carefully, don’t loose your skis. The snow in the trees has been mostly reset and in good condition. Don’t duck ropes to step out of bounds. Do you know there are official Rules for out of bounds riding in Niseko?
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Official snow depth numbers and any notes at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 355cm
Base - 155cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 270cm
Base - 170cm
Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 240cm
Base - 180cm
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Monday 19th January 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 743cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 45 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th and 26th December) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 519cm reported on 25 days January 2015 snowfall 194cm 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.