Niseko Now: Sunday 22nd December 2019
- Dec 22, 2019
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 240cm
Posted on Sunday 22nd December 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
The steady delivery of snowfall has continued and I have (slightly over) 10cm of fresh snowfall to add this morning. That brings my total observed snowfall at base to 155cm for the month so far. (Just as a direct comparison, that number for the whole of December last year was 333cm. We have a lot of catching up to do!)
It feels fairly calm early this morning so I expect planned lifts and courses should be open as normal. I think I'll get out there myself to check things out. In the name of research, of course. :)
That's all I have for you this morning so... see you tomorrow.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa Mountain Base elevation 300m 6.00am: -4°, 5cm new snow in the last 12 hrs, 600m: 5cm new snow in the last 12hrs. Annupuri 1000m: snowpack 90cm. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NNW10m/s. Kamui Cape WNW10m/s, 1021hPa, wave 1.6m.
The current weak winter type pressure pattern has caused slightly increased snow cover above 1000m and some minor cornice growth. From observation there is no significant snowdrift development and avalanche risk is low.
All gates are still closed because bushes are not covered yet. There is still not enough snow for riding off piste, but the groomers are in excellent condition.
This information is provided to prevent all winter mountain accidents including avalanches. Avalanches occur when conditions are met, regardless of the amount of snow. Always beware. Watch out for obstacles and stumps hidden in the snow. Have a good day.
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Ski resort operation information: Sunday 22nd December 2019
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report. Subject to change.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 165cm
- Base: 70cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Ace Family quad
- Ace Number 2 Center quad
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- King Number 1 pair
- King Number 3 quad
- Swinging Monkey
Courses available:
- Family
- Sennoki
- Alpen
- Detour for beginners
- Green
- Shirakaba
- Center
- Kogen
- Boyo
- Ni-kabe
- Kokutai
- Holiday
- Rinkan (lower area)
- Jumbo
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 105cm
- Base: 35cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 95cm
- Base: 65cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 90cm
- Base: 55cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola ON HOLD
- Upper Village Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair
- Banzai Chair
Niseko Now 2019-2020 season |
Data as of Sunday 22nd December 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 240cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 24 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 21cm (6th December) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 155cm 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.