Niseko Now: Saturday 20th December 2014
- Dec 20, 2014
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 342cm
Posted on Saturday 20th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just a thin cover of new snow since my last report and it's noticeably warmer this morning.
It is generally cloudy right now, but we are expecting some rain this afternoon. We are hoping of course that will end up short-lived and it will soon turn into snowfall.
Tomorrow we expect snow to be falling and for colder conditions.
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A few resort news thingies this morning.
Over at Hanazono, Strawberry Fields opens today as well as the Snowmobiling Course.
Niseko Grand Hirafu have noted that the top Large and Dynamic Courses accessed via the Ace Pair Number 4 lift and King Number 4 Lift cannot open yet due to 'insufficient snow cover'.
They are though extending the operation of the Hanazono Quad Number 3 and Swinging Monkey lifts to 3:30pm, with the two lower Hanazono Quads now doing their thing until 3:50pm.
Just a reminder of a few other things - the top connection between Niseko Annupuri and Niseko Village resorts is not yet available with thise top lifts not moving yet (shuttle bus needed) and those gates aren't open yet. For all the talk of large volumes of snowfall, it seems that we need more.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -3C, light snowfall and calm morning. Moiwa 600m: -5C, light snowfall, calm and good visibility. Annupuri 1150m: -5C, light snowfall and development of snowdrifts. Annupuri 1000m: 130cm snowpack. Coastal data: Benkei cape SSW3m/s, Kamui cape S13m/s, 1017hPa, 1.3m waves.
A Low Pressure system is approaching and making warm air flow in from the south. The weather is predicted to deteriorate before noon. The general avalanche risk is low according to observations, however wet snow slab avalanches hazard in 40°slopes will rise in the afternoon. Be cautious. The groomers conditions and the snow in the trees is in good shape. Bushes are still sticking out above the surface and the streams at the bottom aren’t fully buried yet. Backcountry access from the resort is still restricted and will take some more time to have the gates ready. Do not duck ropes to step out of bounds. We strongly demand all Niseko accommodation to inform their guests about the Niseko Rules. Have a nice weekend.
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Lifts planned to be operating, subject to change due to weather conditions. Any news at time of writing is noted in the main report above:
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Lifts:
Ace Family Lift, Ace Number 2 Center Four lift, Ace Number 3 lift, Holiday Number 1 Pair lift, Hirafu Gondola, King Number 3 Triple lift, Swinging Monkey.
Night skiing lifts:
Ace Family Pair lift, Ace Number 2 Center Four lift, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 Pair lift
Niseko Hanazono
Lifts:
Hanazono Number 1, Hanazono Number 2, Hanazono Number 3
Night skiing lifts:
No night skiing at Hanazono
Niseko Village
Lifts:
Niseko Gondola, Community Chair, Banzai Chair, Morino Chair.
Night skiing lifts:
Community Chair and Banzai Chair
Niseko Annupuri
Lifts:
Annupuri Gondola, Jumbo Number 1 Quad, Jumbo Number 2 Pair, Jumbo Number 3 Pair
Night skiing lift:
Jumbo Number 1 Quad
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Official snow depth numbers at the time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 200cm
Base - 90cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 150cm
Base - 110cm
Annupuri:
Top - 135cm
Base - 110cm
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Saturday 20th December 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 342cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 22 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th December) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 312cm reported on 17 days |
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.