Niseko Now: Thursday 20th February 2020
- Feb 20, 2020
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 11cm
Snowfall at base this season 619cm
Posted on Thursday 20th February 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I was not alone in enjoying a few really good few hours on the mountain yesterday. Found some good amounts of fresh snow up there with snow falling quite consistently too. Clearly more than there is/was down at base; as if often the case of course.
I note that Niseko Grand Hirafu have actually bumped up their upper snow depth official number by 25cm since yesterday. Niseko and Annupuri aren't budging theirs just now. In general, I'd always take those official snow depth numbers with a bit of salt. Take a step back, compare with previous season; that's the kind of thing they are useful for.
This morning I can report an additional 11cm on the ground by base and it feels a little colder this morning.
We are due some milder conditions on Saturday, hopefully to be followed by more of what we like as we approach Monday (winds aside, not keen on them).
Anyway, conditions should be a lot of fun once again this morning. I think I might just enjoy a few more hours myself...
Have fun and take care.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base: -5°, no new snow overnight, 25cm in last 24hrs, calm. Moiwa 800m: NNW 330deg 7.2m/s, -7.2°, 10cm new snow overnight, snowdrift development. Yu no Sawa 1000m: WNW 290deg 1.9m/s(propeller icing?), -10.4°. Niseko Village 900m: WNW 304deg 2.3m/s, -9.4°. Hirafu 1000m : SSE 156deg 2.8m/s, -10.5°. Hanazono 720m: WNW 309deg 4.6m/s, -7.2°. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW 11m/s. Kamui Cape WNW 8m/s, 1027hPa, wave 1.2m. Kutchan Weather Station: SW 2.8m/s, -2.8°, 19cm new snow in last 24hrs.
A weak winter type pressure pattern continues, 40cm of snow drift development on leeward slopes above 800m, peak development at midnight. Below 800m tracks are still visible, above 900m buried. From review of data and input from the patrol and groomers, snowdrifts are expected to stabilize by 8am. The general avalanche risk is low. All gates are expected to be open. It is recommended to carry a beacon, probe, shovel and a short rope. Wear a helmet. Be careful and avoid having an accident. Have a good day.
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Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 290cm
- Base: 120cm
All lifts are normally operating EXCEPT:
- Ace Number 1 pair lift (normally rested)
- King Number 2 quad lift (normally rested)
All courses normally open
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Ace Family quad until 8:30pm
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad until 8:20pm
- Hirafu Gondola until 8:10pm
- Holiday Number 1 pair until 8:30pm
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 200cm
- Base: 130cm
All lifts are normally operating
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 180cm
- Base: 110cm
All lifts are normally operating
Lift scheduled for late operations:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad until 8:30pm
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 190cm
- Base: 110cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT:
- Country Road Chair (normally rested)
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Annupuri Village Gondola until 8:00pm
- Village Express until 8:00pm
- Banzai Chair until 8:00pm
Niseko Now 2019-2020 season |
Data as of Thursday 20th February 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 619cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 65 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 33cm (21st January) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 207cm reported on 21 days January 2020 snowfall 224cm reported on 20 days February 2020 snowfall 103cm reported on 14 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.