Niseko Now: Wednesday 20th November 2019
- Nov 20, 2019
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 18cm
Snowfall at base this season 52cm
Posted on Wednesday 20th November 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It's cold and there is more snow. And a fair good amount of snow too here at base - I am measuring 18cm of it, there's more and less in surrounding areas.
(I'll conveniently sort-of ignore pesky winds).
It looks like after today we might have clearer weather conditions as the weekend approaches (and warmer again over the weekend), but I am pretty confident we'll be able to enjoy the goods to some extent this coming Saturday. I have no kind of details to share yet from the ski resorts themselves on the subject - no doubt Friday will be the day of such 'news'.
I just want to point out that this very early season snow is light good quality stuff too.
Exciting times indeed. I can't wait to get back out there.
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I posted this yesterday, but as the audience is not all present and at their seats for the season, I'll post again today for those just joining us today. :)
On 7th December, a new 'Mountain Center Annex' facility is planned to open by the base of Niseko Grand Hirafu. The resort says:
"Our aim is that visitors will easily be able to enjoy Niseko’s quality of snow while also experiencing a winter resort that is even more satisfying than before. The new Mountain Center Annex is situated in the perfect location, both adjacent to the HIRAFU Gondola Sanroku Station and right in front of the beginner-friendly Holiday Pair Lift, allowing for direct access to the slopes. The Mountain Center Annex features a public area, snow school reception desk, changing rooms and locker rooms on the first floor, with a large-scale ski and snowboard rental shop, boasting a floor area of 802 sqm, on the second floor."
So now you know!
Over at Niseko Hanazono, the new 'Hanazono EDGE' ski center will also be opening. And then early next year the Park Hyatt Niseko HANAZONO.
Loads of investment over the last however many years, mostly down at base (rather than things like lifts... but that is perhaps another talking point!)
The area sure looks rather different than it did ten and twenty years ago. As I munch on some morning toast, I often wonder how things will shape up ten and twenty years into the future...
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Planned season dates:
Niseko Annupuri
Saturday 23rd November 2019 until Wednesday 6th May 2020
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Saturday 23rd November 2019 until Wednesday 6th May 2020
Niseko Village
Sunday 1st December 2019 until Wednesday 6th May 2020
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Saturday 7th December 2019 until early April 2020
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Night time operations will be available at the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri resorts. That is planned daily between Wednesday 11th December 2019 and Sunday 22nd March 2020.
Niseko Now 2019-2020 season |
Data as of Wednesday 20th November 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 52cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 6 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 18cm (16th November) November 2019 snowfall 52cm reported on 6 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.