Niseko Now: Sunday 20th January 2019
- Jan 20, 2019
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 597cm
Posted on Sunday 20th January 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I have measured just a few cm of snow this morning.
Still expecting more snow with bigger numbers. Hopefully starting later on today and reflected in my report tomorrow.
Not much of a wind this morning and so all resorts should be open as planned.
Someone asked about gates and how to find out if they are open or not in a morning. Alas, the best early morning info is included in the Avalanche Report, but that is often along the lines of 'the gates may open' especially when conditions are unclear and so it is not particularly definitive. Often because decisions have not been made at the time of writing. The resorts themselves don't talk about these things on their websites. The best way to find out the latest info without actually physically going there is to phone the resorts and ask them, see if they answer. Usually it is the top gates that are the most likely to be not opening. But... weather conditions, etc.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Mountain Base 6.00am: -6°, no new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: -7.2°, W3.4m/s, no snow drift development calm. Mikaeri Weather Station: -8°, no cornice or snowdrift development. Annupuri 1120m: snow depth 190cm. Hirafu Peak: -10°. Mizuno no Sawa: -8.62°, W3.5m/s. Kutchan Weather Station: -6.7°, snow depth 124cm. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW5m/s. Kamui Cape: SW4m/s, 1009hPa, wave 1.2m.
We are currently under a low pressure system with little pressure gradient. The sea and mountain are calm and there is no new snowfall. The snow has stabilised and the general avalanche risk is low. Even though over 1000 people went out of bounds yesterday, tracked up the whole mountain, we can be thankful there were no accidents. Never enter strictly off limits areas looking for fresh tracks. One set of tracks will led others to follow, increasing the chances of an accident. Niseko Rules secure your freedom to ride out of bounds.
Avalanches are not the only danger in the mountains. Do not over estimate your skills or knowledge. Always be cautious. With care most accidents can be avoided. Be aware of a sudden change in weather. The morning groomers are in good shape, but be careful taking a spill at speed. Helmets are recommended. Is your beacon switched on?
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Ski resort operation information: Saturday 19th January 2019
Subject to change due to weather conditions
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 290cm
- Base: 130cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts should be operating as planned (King Number 2 quad rested)
- The Ace Family quad (until 8:30pm), Ace Center 4 quad (8:20pm), Hirafu Gondola (until 8:10pm) and Holiday Number 1 pair (until 8:30pm) lifts are normally open during the evening
- The Center Four lift will be open from 8:00am until 8:20am until 31st January 2019 (500 yen charge required).
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 197cm
- Base: 160cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts should be operating as planned
- The Hanazono lifts are normally open until 3:50pm (Number 3 until 3:30pm)
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 265cm
- Base: 140cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts should be operating as planned
- The Jumbo 1 lift is normally open until 8:30pm during the evening
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 270cm
- Base: 140cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts should be operating as planned (Country Road Chair rested)
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are normally open until 8:00pm during the evening
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Sunday 20th January 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 597cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 51 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (29th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 333cm reported on 26 days January 2019 snowfall 180cm 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.