Niseko Now: Friday 1st March 2013
- Mar 1, 2013
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 16, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 5cm
Snowfall at base this season 1300cm
Weather overview Cloud and light snow
Wind
Light
Temperature -2C base / -7C top
Visibility Variable
Posted at 8:56am on Friday 1st March 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just a bit of snowfall overnight to report this morning from Hirafu. Perhaps up to around 5cm or so, though I see below that the Avalanche report is reporting none.
It's a mild morning here, not too far off zero and probably overnight tonight the mild conditions will continue. Hopefully it will be snowing but some forecasts have us down for a bit of rain before the snow starts. Fingers crossed that doesn't happen.
As I'm writing this report it seems that the top Wonderland Chair at Niseko Village is not operating yet, the top lifts at Niseko Grand Hirafu (Ace Number 4, King Number 3 and King Number 4) and the top Hanazono lift aren't moving due to wind conditions up there. According to the forecast, rather than improve wind is forecast to get stronger during the day today. Conditions likely to change during the day with snow and wind moving in. From tomorrow teperatures are likely to drop and we should be seeing snowfall through the weekend.
Strong winds tomorrow are very likely to play with lift operations so keep that in mind.
Avalanche Information
Niseko base at 6am: -4 deg, no new snowfall and calm wind conditions. Moiwa 800m: -4 deg, wind calm, small amount of snow drift development. Annupuri peak: wind SW 0.9m/s, -10.3 deg. Coastal data: wind SE 6m/s, wave 0.6m, pressure 1017hpa.
Pre low pressure system wind is calm and snowdrift development from yesterday afternoon has been low. According to data and observations the general avalanche risk below 1000m is low, however snow pack stabilization has been slow, special care needs to be taken at leeward slopes and knolls around 800m elevation.
The weather is expected to change suddenly as the low pressure system reaches us. All peak gates will be closed today for the safety of all resort users. Other gates are yet to be determined. Please follow the Ski Patrol advice and don’t duck ropes to leave the resort area.
Many people have gotten lost in the mountains in bad weather. This combined with poor decisions have lead to disaster in the past, best to leave exploring for a better day. Avalanches can occur easily in newly formed snowdrifts with a slight stimulation. There are also many other dangers in the winter mountains to be aware of. Please don’t overestimate your skills and equipment. Plans need to be adjusted according to the current weather and snow conditions.
Best not to go to far from the resort today, be aware of a sudden change in the weather. Have a safe day.
Niseko Now 2012-2013 season |
Data as of Friday 1st March 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 1300cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 89 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (27th January) November 2012 snowfall 118cm reported on 11 days December 2012 snowfall 418cm reported on 27 days January 2013 snowfall 443cm reported on 26 days February 2013 snowfall 316cm reported on 24 days March 2013 snowfall 5cm 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.