Niseko Now: Wednesday 20th December 2017
- Dec 20, 2017
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 19cm
Snowfall at base this season 426cm
Posted on Wednesday 20th December 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
'Only' 19cm of fresh snow to report on this cold and snowy morning.
Light snow falling as I write this report with somewhat limited visibility outside from the look of the webcam images.
It looks like we might be heading towards a few days where there might not be much fresh snowfall along with milder conditions. Don't worry, though, as Santa will be here with his presents and more snow by Monday.
With all the snow we have had, I think there's probably more than a few people looking forward to the chance of a day or two featuring some blue sky and sunshine. If it's not snowing, some sun would be nice... though we'd like it to remain as cold as possible of course to keep the snow in fine condition.
Hearing more about probable plans for gate openings... soon! Yey!
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -9°, 15cm new snow, light winds. Moiwa 800m : -12°, W10.8m/s, 20cm new snow, major snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -15°, W16m/s, 30cm new snow, major snowdrift development. Hirafu 1200m: -16°, light blizzard, 15cm new snow, poor visibility. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NW16m/s. Kamui Cape: WSW14m/s, 1020hPa, wave 2.2m.
The winter weather pattern has not changed. Overnight the atmospheric pressure gradient increased, winds picked up, and seas have been increasing hour by hour. Snowdrifts on south west facing slopes between 800 and 1200m, there has been 120cm new growth on top of Jan 12-14 low pressure snowfall layer. Gusting conditions has caused uneven development , expect fractures between 60-120cm depending on location. From observation and snowfall transition, the avalanche risk is high on cornice and knolls slopes between 800-1100m.
Today is cold. This morning the isobars are moving apart and wind will drop, however take care of frostbite. Do not stimulate knolls or cornices on open slopes, ride one by one. Do not wait in the valley bottoms. Snow in the forest is heavier than yesterday but still has good bounce. Do not enter strictly off limits areas Haru no Taki and Yu no Sawa. From the snowfall transition Haru no Taki is especially dangerous.
Peak gates are still being prepared at Hirafu and Annupuri aiming for Friday opening. Please listen to the patrols advice. Winter came early this year, have a good season.
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Wednesday 20th December 2017
What's planned to be open today in Niseko (subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Lifts operating:
- Ace Number 3 Pair lift
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift (* nighta)
- Ace Family quad lift (* nighta)
- King Number 3 quad lift
- Hirafu Gondola (* nighta)
- Holiday Number 1 pair lift (* nighta)
- Swinging Monkey
- King Number 4
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad lift
- Hanazono Number 2 quad lift
- Hanazono Number 3 quad lift
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift (* nighta)
- Jumbo Number 2 pair lift
- Jumbo Number 4 pair lift
- Dream Number 1 quad lift
Niseko Village
Lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola
- Banzai Chair
- Community Chair (* nighta)
- Upper Village Gondola (* nighta)
- Village Express (* nighta)
- Wonderland Chair
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Official resort snow depths on Wednesday 20th December 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 300cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Top - 190cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Village
Top - 190cm
Base - 130cm
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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 above.
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Wednesday 20th December 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 426cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 30 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 35cm (19th December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 238cm reported on 19 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.