Niseko Now: Saturday 20th January 2018
- Jan 20, 2018
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 5cm
Snowfall at base this season 706cm
Posted on Saturday 20th January 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning everyone on this lovely Saturday morning.
This morning I have 5cm of snow to report this morning - this is snow that fell from the skies during the day yesterday with no more overnight, and so again it's not enough to fill in tracks. But it's good quality snow all the same.
OK, I'm greedy - and needy! - and am really ready for us to get back to some decent snowfall numbers rather than this faffing around with single digit numbers! And the coming week is looking good with regular snowfall due every day, perhaps starting later on today. Look to mid-week for the best chance of those bigger numbers and complete resets.
In the meantime, it is a beautiful morning here. The sun is out and there's just some calm looking thin cloud hanging around.
That in itself is a good excuse to strap on the board(s).
It is nice and cold early on but temperatures are forecast to rise to close on zero later on before dropping again tonight and into tomorrow.
Until tomorrow!
---
Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -10°, no new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: -9.4°, NW2.8m/s, trace new snow, minor snowdrift development. Annupuri 1100m: -11°, WNW3.5m/s, trace new snow. Hirafu 1250m: -11°, no new snow, calm, good visibility. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:SW4m/s. Kamui Cape: SSW9m/s,1015hPa, wave 0.9m.
Temperatures dropped overnight with a clear sky. Low pressure snowfall and a rise in temperature is expected from around noon. From observation and tests the general avalanche risk is low. All gates are expected to be open. Please listen to the patrols advice. Be prepared before venturing outside the gates. Currently we are between a high and low pressure system and the winds are light, but they are expected to increase. Be careful of a sudden change in the weather. The weather in mountains can change quickly.
Although the government does not officially recognize Niseko Rules, through the use them you are allowed to ride out of bounds. Niseko Rules were first conceived to keep the out of bounds areas open while at the same time stop the alarming number of accidents that were happening on the mountain. Selfish interpretation and criticism of Niseko Rules risk the survival of them. Understanding and cooperation from all users is needed ensure the continuation of our current freedoms out of bounds. Please respect and follow Niseko Rules.
Out of bounds is all tracked up. Its not that good but fresh lines can still be found. Be careful falling into cracks and crashing into trees. Have a good day.
---
Saturday 20th January 2018
Resort specific information (operations subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts apart from King Number 2 should be operating
- 'Early Morning' services from 8:00am until 8:20am (Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift). Until 28th January. 500 yen special ticket required.
Official snow depth:
- Top: 370cm
- Base: 170cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts are generally operating
Official snow depth:
- Top: 290cm
- Base: 170cm
Niseko Village
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts apart from the Country Road Chair lift should be operating
- 'Early Gondola' service from 7:30am until 8:30am (Niseko Gondola). January 20th-21st, 27th-28th; February 3rd-4th. 1,400 yen special ticket required.
Official snow depth:
- Top: 280cm
- Base: 170cm
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Saturday 20th January 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 706cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 53 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (21st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 406cm reported on 27 days January 2018 snowfall 112cm reported on 15 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.