Niseko Now: Monday 21st January 2019
- Jan 21, 2019
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 26cm
Snowfall at base this season 623cm
Posted on Monday 21st January 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Morning to you all. And what an interesting one it is.
There has been some noisy winds blowing around and being naughty, it's very cold, there's lots of fresh snow around and that wind has really been mixing it all up. It's all just a bit on the wilder side!
I am measuring 26cm of fresh snowfall, but there will be places where there is more than that and indeed places where there is less.
These conditions are going to be affecting lift operations for the day, and as of opening times all of the top lifts are on hold as well as the Annupuri and the main Niseko Village gondola and a few some more. The day is starting off with lower to mid-mountain open. Hopefully by later on it might get calmer and tomorrow certainly should be.
Once the storm clears though... oh my, it's going to be very good! :) I bet Santa wishes he was still here.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Mountain Base 6.00am: -10°, 35cm new snow in last 12hrs. Moiwa 800m: -11.8°, W11.3m/s, cornice and snowdrift development, blizzard, poor visibility. Mikaeri Weather Station: poor visibility. Annupuri 1120m: snow depth 190cm. Hirafu Peak: -16°, blizzard, poor visibility. Mizuno no Sawa: -13.5°, strong NW snow wind, snowdrift development. Kutchan Weather Station: -7.6°, snow depth 146cm. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW18m/s. Kamui Cape: WNW16m/s, 1001hPa, wave 4.5m.
Isobars have moved closer together bringing blizzard conditions and heavy snowfall. Snowdrifts have formed even at the mountain base, visibility is bad. From observation at 800m, there has been over 100cm snowdrift growth and major cornice development in the last 12 hrs. There is possibility of surface avalanche on leeward cornice slopes and knolls around 800m, fracturing at over 60cm depth on the Jan 20th layer of pre low pressure snowfall. Jan 20th layer has formed frost layer by temperature gradient. From all data avalanche risk is high.
All peak gates are expected to be closed. Please follow the patrols instructions. Be patient and only ride the sides of the runs today. Even if the wind drops and upper lifts start running the avalanche danger will continue. Do not duck ropes, never enter Yuno Sawa or Haru no taki. Snow is deep and good in the trees. Be careful hitting trees and getting stuck. Maybe tomorrow we can ride the good stuff again. Have a good day.
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Ski resort operation information: Monday 21st 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:
- Top lifts on hold, but the Gondola is operating
- 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: 205cm
- Base: 155cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Top two lifts on hold at the start of the day
- 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:
- Top lift and gondola on hold at the start of the day
- 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: 280cm
- Base: 140cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift and main gondola on hold at the start of the day
- 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 Monday 21st January 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 623cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 52 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 206cm reported on 18 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.