Niseko Now: Monday 1st January 2018
- Jan 1, 2018
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 594cm
Posted on Monday 1st January 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning and a very Happy New Year to you all!
I will be upfront and honest - as always - I totally over-slept this morning, so that is why my report is unusually late. But I guess I am probably not going to be the only one today. My apologies anyway. I hope that you had a fun evening wherever you spent it.
Yesterday was a fun day out there with good weather, good snow and good spirited party people enjoying the evening. It was busy on the slopes of course but that is totally to be expected. The Avalanche Report says 'Yesterday's tracks are not covered' - and there were most definitely more than a few tracks being made! ;)
This morning there was just a very slight dusting of wet snow but no new cm to start the numbers off for 2018. As we expected it is relatively mild with the thermometer showing me +2C just now. It actually looks like it is going to get a bit warmer during the day too.
Right now there is quite a lot of blue sky to see and the sun is out, but later on rain seems probable down - at base at least. But that shouldn't last long with colder temps and good quality snow on the way; I hope to be bringing you news of fresh snowfall tomorrow morning.
One more thing, I see that top lifts appear to be affected by wind at the start of the day.
So there is a mixed bunch of weather going for this first morning of the year and seemingly changing conditions. We are of course all hoping that over the next few months the season will continue as it started. I will of course keep you informed every day.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: +1°, trace new snow. Moiwa 800m : -1.4°, E3.9m/s, trace new snow, easterly snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -6°, E10m/s, trace new snow. Hirafu 1250m: -4°, E10m/s, trace new snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:S9m/s. Kamui Cape: E7m/s, 1009hPa, wave 0.8m.
A low pressure front from the east has brought wet snow. Blizzard conditions are expected above 1000m. All peak gates are expected to open, however if the weather deteriorates they will be closed. Strong easterly winds can easily make hard slabs on steep east facing slopes like Backbowl sidewall. There has been avalanche accidents in the past in these conditions. Avalanches occur when conditions are right regardless of the amount of snow. Today's conditions are not the same as yesterday's. After the low pressure system passes through a strong westerly wind and snow will pickup. Make reasonable plans according to weather conditions.
There are many ridiculous traverse lines in Osawa and Backbowl. Traversing steep slopes can trigger avalanches. Many people are riding out of bounds on Annupuri Mountain. Heading to Goshiki by putting in a traverse line from the top of the lifts across Osawa, up and over west ridge is dangerous and has no consideration for other mountain users. An avalanche could easily be triggered placing people below in danger. Also once there is one track, others follow, increasing the chance of an accident. If you are heading to Goshiki, we ask you to climb to the peak and follow the ridge line down to Chinpoko Rock, then to Goshiki.
Yesterday's tracks are not covered. Take care crashing and falling on the chopped up slopes. Beware weather change. Happy New Year
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Monday 1st January 2018
Resort specific information (operations subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts are operating
** But top Ace Number 4 and King Number 4 lift on hold at 8:50am (wind and visibility)
Official snow depth:
- Top: 315cm
- Base: 150cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts are operating
** But top Jumbo Number 4 is on hold at 8:50am (wind and visibility)
Official snow depth:
- Top: 240cm
- Base: 160cm
Niseko Village
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts except Country Road Chair are operating
** But top Wonderland Chair lift on hold at 8:50am (wind and visibility)
Official snow depth:
- Top: 250cm
- Base: 170cm
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Floodlit 'nighta' skiing:
Night skiing is planned for every evening at the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area. Ski lifts that are scheduled to be operating for nighta are noted below (subject to change):
* Niseko Grand Hirafu - Ace Family quad, Ace Number 2 quad, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 pair
* Niseko Annupuri - Jumbo Number 1 quad lift
* Niseko Village - Village Express, Upper Village Gondola, Community Chair, Banzai Chair
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Monday 1st January 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 594cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 38 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (21st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 406cm reported on 27 days January 2018 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.