Niseko Now: Tuesday 1st January 2019
- Jan 1, 2019
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 427cm
Posted on Tuesday 1st January 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko and a very Happy New Year to you all, wherever you may be.
What a fine morning it was yesterday. Clouds moving around during the day, but I imagine that everyone here to enjoy the snow would have been pleased with their days 'work' on the slopes.
There's 10cm of fresh snowfall to add to my tally and hopefully a little more than that to fill in tracks this morning, and it is a cold start to the year. Light snow has been falling this morning and that may well ease off during the day.
The forecast is looking good for regular snowfall over the coming week and happily it doesn't look like wind should be affecting us much at all. I like the sound of that.
It looks like the peak gates and Mizuno no sawa gates should be open today. Enjoy.
So, yes, all is good. Maybe I will see some of you out there today.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -5℃, 10cm snowfall in 24hours, light snow. Moiwa800m: -8.7℃, SW10m/s, 50cm snowdrifts in 24hours and cornices developments. An avalanche due to collapsing cornice has been observed in Mikaeri bowl. Hirafu peak: -9℃, W15m/s, snowdrifts development. Niseko Village Mizuno no Sawa: -8.91℃, NW10m/s, 11cm snowfall in 24hours, 125cm snowdepth. Annupuri1120m: 170cm snowdepth. Kutchan weather station: -3.5℃, 115cm snowdepth. Benkei cape: NW13m/s, Kamui cape: WSW9m/s, 1017hPa, 1.8m waves.
Peak gates and Mizuno no sawa gates are scheduled to open today. Please make sure to be prepared for the backcountry before stepping out. Wearing helmets and carrying avalanche gears (beacon, probe, shovel) are very highly recommended. There are many hazards lurking in the out of bounds area, always be prudent and make conservative decisions. Cracks and gaps are forming in unexpected places. Use caution, especially in Higashi-One. Largely developed cornices can fall in 200cm thickness and cause a slide as they collapse.
Avalanche risk remains high in the Backbowl, Osawa, Mikaeri Bowl. Better not remain in valley bottoms. The snow in the treeruns is fast, beware of hitting trees. The light is weak and the terrain is difficult to see. Pay attention. Do not enter the strictly off-limits areas. Ski patrollers are watching. Respect the Rules and enjoy your day.
Happy New Year!
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Ski resort operation information: Tuesday 1st January 2019
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report. Subject to change!
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 260cm
- Base: 115cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart are normally operating
- The Ace Family quad (until 8:30pm), Ace Center 4 quad (8:20pm), Hirafu Gondola (until 8:10pm) and Holiday Number 1 pair (until 8:30pm) lifts are normally open during the evening
- The Center Four lift will be open early between 7th-31st January 2019 (more details soon - when I can find them!)
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 190cm
- Base: 136cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All Hanazono lifts are normally operating
- The Hanazono lifts are normally open until 3:30pm
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono Courses:
- All official courses are now available
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 220cm
- Base: 120cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All Annupuri lifts are normally operating
- The Jumbo 1 lift is normally open until 8:30pm during the evening
- Annupuri First run from 7:20am until 8:20am on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 12th, 13th, 14th January. (1,500 yen charge)
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 230cm
- Base: 120cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart from the Country Road Chair are normally operating
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are normally open until 8:00pm during the evening
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Tuesday 1st January 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 427cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 35 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (29th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 333cm reported on 26 days January 2019 snowfall 10cm 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.