Niseko Now: Thursday 22nd December 2016
- Dec 22, 2016
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 248cm
Posted on Thursday 22nd December 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Talking about white fluffy things, where's the fresh snow then? Well, it was snowing as I was posting the report yesterday of course. That snow didn't really last long where I make my measurements - but it was there, so it's valid.
The forecast is looking pretty good from now - apart from perhaps the rather wet looking snow that is due overnight tonight. Let's hope it still falls as something we can classify as 'snow', even if it isn't light and fluffy.
Fresh snowfall is due on most days in the weekly forecast though which sounds good to me.
---
Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -3℃, no snowfall. Kamui cape (sea of Japan): E6m/s, 1024hPa, 0.9m waves. Moiwa 850m: -2℃, mild easterly wind, no snowfall. Annupuri 1150m: -4℃, NW5m/s, no snowfall.
Barometric pressure gradient is flat this morning, however the next storm is approaching and the wind is forecasted to pick up before noon. Yesterday morning’s snowfall is covering the surface and will potentially turn into a weak layer in the future snowpack. It is the weak bonding in the snowpack that triggers avalanches but those weaknesses are not only the layers deep inside. The highly wind-affected snowdrifts are extremely unstable in their developing stages (during and just after strong winds) and take some time until they stabilize. Leeward slopes with heavy snowdrift deposit during and just after snowstorms are most hazardous. The conditions are forecasted to deteriorate later today through tomorrow. Pay close attention to the coming weather.
The access gates are yet to open due to lack of snow. Follow the patrol’s instructions and respect the Niseko Rules. Please refrain from ducking ropes. The freedom to ski out of bounds in Niseko can only be protected if people play by the Rules.
Hard pack condition continues, carefully remain in control. Wearing helmets is recommended.
---
Resort specific opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):
All four of the resort areas appear to be opening as planned at the start of the day.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Lifts planned to be operating:
- Ace Family pair*
- Ace Number 2 Center Four*
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Hirafu Gondola*
- King Number 3 quad
- Holiday Number 1 pair*
- Swinging Monkey
Courses that are not yet open:
- Large
- Miharashi
- Dynamic
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts planned to be operating:
- All lifts operating
Niseko Village
Lifts planned to be operating:
- All lifts operating apart from top Wonderland Chair (and Country Road which isn't usually open anyway)
Niseko Annupuri
Lifts planned to be operating:
- All lifts operating apart from top Jumbo Number 4
---
Official resort snow depths as of Thursday 22nd December 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 200cm
Base - 80cm
Niseko Village
Top - 120cm
Base - 100cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 100cm
Base - 90cm
---
Night skiing is planned until Monday 20th March 2017 at the Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village resort areas. There is no nighta in the Hanazono area.
The lifts marked with a * above are the lifts that are planned to be operating for nighta.
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Thursday 22nd December 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 248cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 28 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 138cm reported on 14 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.