Niseko Now: Saturday 1st April 2017
- Apr 1, 2017
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 686cm
Posted on Saturday 1st April 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Beautiful clear blue skies.
I've always wanted to do a four word report! Ah, but I did prepare this yesterday >>>
A look back at March 2017 and the season so far
So, it is that time of the month again; time for me to take a bit of a look back at the month of March and the season so far. I’m going to keep it short this time and leave most of my words for my main season review that will be appearing when the season finishes in early May.
Here’s the observed snowfall measured by me at base during the month of March over the last five seasons:
March 2017: 83cm
March 2016: 109cm
March 2015: 139cm
March 2014: 113cm
March 2013: 164cm
And the total observed snowfall measured by me at base during the season up until the end of March:
2016/2017 season until the end of March 2017: 688cm
2015/2016 season until the end of March 2016: 986cm
2014/2015 season until the end of March 2015: 1141cm
2013/2014 season until the end of March 2014: 1150cm
2012/2013 season until the end of March 2013: 1459cm
Clearly, we are going to end this season with about 3m less than last season and about 4.5m behind the previous two seasons. That’s a fair chunk, but let me again please emphasise that many people coming here will of course not be comparing with previous seasons and have been plenty happy with what they have experienced. Still, I’m hoping that next year we’ll see a change in trend and get to see more.
Looking forward to this month, to get an idea of how much snow we might be able to expect in April, here’s how much there has been observed in recent years:
How much snow fell (AT BASE) in April 2017: ??
How much snow fell (AT BASE) in April 2016: 6cm
How much snow fell (AT BASE) in April 2015: 3cm
How much snow fell (AT BASE) in April 2014: 13cm
How much snow fell (AT BASE) in April 2013: 32cm
Once again ---- important, this is all about snowfall at base! And remember, especially in late season there might be no fresh snowfall here at base, but snow falling higher up on the mountain. I will of course try to report that when it happens in the daily reports, but my observed number each day is from my base measuring point.
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Here are the numbers that the Japan Meteorological Agency have recorded in Kutchan Town for March and the season so far:
March 2017: 90cm
March 2016: 125cm
March 2015: 141cm
March 2014: 118cm
March 2013: 124cm
2016/2017 season until the end of March 2017: 831cm
2015/2016 season until the end of March 2016: 823cm
2014/2015 season until the end of March 2015: 966cm
2013/2014 season until the end of March 2014: 922cm
2012/2013 season until the end of March 2013: 1024cm
Full season analysis coming in early May when I finish up for the season.
I may also reveal to you my fave jam for the all-important morning toast, the energy behind the reports. (I put that in just to get you all to come back and not desert me until late November!)
Have a good weekend.
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Official resort snow depths as of Saturday 1st April 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 335cm
Base - 125cm
Niseko Village
Top - 245cm
Base - 110cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 230cm
Base - 110cm
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Planned closing dates
Niseko Grand Hirafu plans to be open daily until Sunday 7th May.
Niseko Hanazono plans to be open daily until tomorrow.
Niseko Village plans to be open daily until tomorrow (and then from 28th April until 7th May).
Niseko Annupuri plans to be open daily until Sunday 7th May.
Night time floodlit operations have now finished for the season.
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Saturday 1st April 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 686cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 85 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 160cm reported on 19 days March 2017 snowfall 83cm reported on 12 days April 2017 snowfall 0cm |
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.