Niseko Now: Friday 22nd December 2017
- Dec 22, 2017
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 11cm
Snowfall at base this season 475cm
Posted on Friday 22nd December 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
This morning I measured 11cm of fresh snowfall to add to the report as the snow keeps on piling up.
Well, actually, not at the moment as it has eased off leaving us with generally cloudy skies at the moment. It is going to be slightly less cold today as well and over the next few days temperatures may well venture into low positive numbers during the daytime. It remains to be seen if we will get to see much sunshine.
So it seems we are going to have a little breather from the relentless snowfall.
I'm not exactly sure why but as we approach 8:30am it would seem that the top lifts at Hirafu, Village and Annupuri are on hold. Hopefully that should be a temporary early morning thingie.
Not to fear. Colder temps and snow should be back by Monday.
Remember, Santa-san should be here in Niseko over the weekend. Obviously, his chosen destination. (Note: there might even be some dudes dressing up and pretending to be Santa-san around town; don't be fooled by them!)
As per the Avalanche Report below it seems that decisions are yet to be made regarding gates. There's lots of talk about them opening tomorrow, but we'll have to wait and see. I will of course bring you any news when I have it.
I hope you have a fun day wherever you are.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 4am: -1℃, light snowfall, calm. Moiwa800m: -4.9℃, W5.5m/s, developing snowdrifts and cornices, light snowfall, good visibility. Annupuri/Hirafu data n/a. Coastal data: NNW10m/s, WSW8m/s, 1021hPa, 1.3m waves.
The wind is calming down as the atmospheric pressure gradient is flattening. The snowdrifts are stabilizing, however a weak layer of yesterday’s hail is present at around 40cm depth.
Leeward cornice/knoll slopes above 800m are starting to stabilize, however precaution is still required. 150cm thick slab avalanche hazard continues in strictly off limits Haru no Taki area. South facing slopes are the most affected by the sun and thin wet snow slabs that can be the trigger of a large slide are more likely to form. Potential trigger layer is Dec 14th’s low pressure system snowfall.
Many of the avalanche accidents occur during and just after storms and heavy snowfall. Looking at the snowfall transition of the last few days, if a slide occurs in the Backbowl’s higher slopes, it would be a very large avalanche that would run a very long distance at a great speed. Do not underestimate the hazard of avalanches. Once the wind calms down and snowfall stops, the snowpack will eventually stabilize. Just a little more patience, please. The snow in the trees is dense and in great shape.
Peak lifts operation is undecided as hazard of cornice collapse off the peak is present. Once safety is confirmed, the lifts will start running. Peak gates opening will be delayed. Have a nice day.
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Friday 22nd December 2017
What's planned to be open today in Niseko (subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Lifts operating:
- Hirafu Gondola (* nighta)
- Ace Number 1 pair lift
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift (* nighta)
- Ace Number 3 pair lift
- Ace Family quad lift (* nighta)
- Holiday Number 1 pair lift (* nighta)
- Swinging Monkey
- King Number 1 pair lift
- King Number 3 quad lift
- 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)
- Morino Chair
- Wonderland Chair
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Official resort snow depths on Friday 22nd December 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 300cm
Base - 150cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Top - 210cm
Base - 160cm
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 Friday 22nd December 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 475cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 32 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (21st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 287cm reported on 21 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.