Niseko Now: Thursday 21st December 2017
- Dec 21, 2017
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 38cm
Snowfall at base this season 464cm
Posted on Thursday 21st December 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
A very good morning to you from Niseko.
Is it still snowing?
Yes, it most certainly is.
And today I add another 38cm of snow to the report. I am kidding you not. That brings my observed snowfall for the season so far to a whopping 464cm. Eek!
I see the report for today below is saying 'the snow is great, but maybe too deep'. That's just silly isn't it. ;) But seriously, while it is natural to get jolly excited and worked up about the special situation we are currently experiencing with all this lovely snowfall, we do indeed need to be remain mindful of the dangers that such things bring with them. Enjoy, but be careful.
It really does look like once the snow clouds clear up and disperse today, we are going to have a few days break from snow and perhaps get some of that sunshine we have been expecting on the forecast. If we do get some sun, enjoy it while it lasts...because more snow expected from Christmas Day.
Welcome to all of you folk arriving in Niseko at the moment. You chose wisely. Have fun! It won't be difficult. :)
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -７℃, 20cm snowfall, calm. Moiwa800m: -9.6℃, W4.1m/s, 40cm snowfall, large development of snowdrifts. Annupuri1150m: -10℃, 40cm snowfall, NW10m/s, not easy to groom. Hirafu1200m: -10℃, 40cm snowfall, snowpack 280cm. Costal data: Benkei cape NW9m/s, Kamui cape W10m/s, 1014hPa, 1.7m waves.
The isobars are spreading out, a westerly wind is stagnating around 10m/s on the ocean and the mountains. The overnight snowfall deposited large settlements of snowdrifts in leeward slopes around 800m.
The snowdrifts are growing stably, however is growing too big. The avalanche risk is relatively low, however always think safety first. The snowpack in Hirafu is almost reaching 300cm.
100+cm thick avalanche is likely to occur in strictly off-limits Haru no Taki area, due to drastic accumulation of snowpack and forming of unstable slabs. If the sun comes out today, surface slabs will keep forming and hazard level will rise drastically. Do not enter strictly off-limits area, they are banned for good reasons.
The snow is great, but maybe too deep. Beware of suffocation during falls. This season’s snowfall is surprising people from around the world. Peak gates are scheduled to open this weekend. Please respect the ski patrol’s decisions. Do not duck ropes and respect the Niseko Rules.
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Thursday 21st 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 Thursday 21st December 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 320cm
Base - 155cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Top - 200cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Village
Top - 210cm
Base - 150cm
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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 Thursday 21st December 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 464cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 31 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (21st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 276cm reported on 20 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.