Niseko Now: Thursday 1st January 2015
- Jan 1, 2015
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 15cm
Snowfall at base this season 564cm
Posted on Thursday 1st January 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu! And a Happy New Year to all Niseko Now and SnowJapan readers. Here's to a powder filled, fun and safe 2015.
We may be into January already but there's over 4 months left of the Niseko season which of course stretches into May, so plenty to enjoy.
Back to today.
It is a cold New Years morning but calm and... the sun is out and there's quite a bit of blue sky above the area. Lovely morning.
15cm of fresh snow here outside my place, 20-25cm on mountain.
As is so often the case, even with the fine early morning conditions, snow clouds shouldn't be too far away over the next few days. Forecast clearer conditions for the late weekend and into Monday.
It might just be me but it seems that it's quieter than usual for just before 9am. I wonder why that might be! There were lots of parties and celebrations going on last night of course, I think that some people might be taking things a bit slow first thing!
For those who like getting up early and tracks before anyone else, Annupuri First Run from today - more on that below.
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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.
Niseko Hanazono:
Looks set to be open as planned.
Niseko Village:
Looks set to be open as planned.
Niseko Annupuri:
Looks set to be open as planned. 'Annupuri First Run' is available from today until Sunday and then also on the 11th and 12th January. For 1000 yen, you can get to ride the Gondola from 7:20-8:20am.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -6C, 20cm snowfall in 12 hours, calm. Moiwa 800m: NW8m/s, 25cm of fresh snow with development of snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m: NW10m/s, -10C with snowdrifts development. Hirafu 1000m: mild wind, -10C, 20cm snowfall. Coastal data: Benkei cape SSE4m/s, Kamui cape ENE4m/s, 997hPa and 0.7m waves.
The isobars are spread out and the weather is calm. Snowdrifts are developing slowly above 800m and the general avalanche risk is relatively low, except around 1100m cornice and knoll terrains where stabilization of the newly formed snowdrifts is being delayed. Hazards of surface slab slides up to 80cm thickness and 50m long is still to be highly considered.
The snow in the trees is in good shape. All gates except for gate 2 & 3 will open from the morning. Beware of sudden weather changes. Have you switched your avalanche transceiver on? Peak gates 2 & 3 should open after the 3rd.
Have a great New Year 2015.
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Official snow depth numbers and any notes at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 290cm
Base - 160cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 210cm
Base - 150cm
Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 200cm
Base - 150cm
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Lifts open for night skiing (planned):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Ace Family Pair lift, Ace Number 2 Center Four lift, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 Pair lift
(There is no night skiing at the Hanazono area)
Niseko Village
Community Chair and Banzai Chair
Niseko Annupuri
Jumbo Number 1 Quad
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Thursday 1st January 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 564cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 31 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 15cm reported on 1 day |
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.