Niseko Now: Tuesday 22nd January 2019
- Jan 22, 2019
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 13cm
Snowfall at base this season 636cm
Posted on Tuesday 22nd January 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning to you all. Hopefully we're all in one piece after that weather yesterday.
This morning I have measured a further 13cm on the ground and I am happy to report that it is much calmer so lifts should all be operating and gates are expected to be open as well. Yokatta!
The mountain should be available and will be very tempting for a whole lot of people at the start of the day for first tracks.
Visibility remains limited.
So yes, today should be totally excellent. I'm almost tempted to bring out some cheesy marketing type blurb.
Haha, just kidding. (And sorry cheese, no bad feelings!).
Continued snow clouds over the region are on the forecast.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Mountain Base 6.00am: -7.5°, 10cm new snow in last 24hrs, calm. Moiwa 800m: -10.6°, W7.2m/s, 10cm new snow till dawn, slow cornice and snowdrift development. Mikaeri Weather Station: good visibility. Annupuri 1120m: -13°, snow depth 190cm, groomers in good condition. Hirafu Peak: -12°, W10m/s, snow drift development, calm. Mizuno no Sawa: -11.77°, NW 4.4m/s. Kutchan Weather Station: -6.6°, snow depth 152cm. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW13m/s. Kamui Cape: WNW7m/s, 1006hPa, wave 1.6m.
Snowdrifts are developing slowly and from observation there is no obvious weakness in snowpack. General avalanche risk is low. All gates are expected to be open. You must use the gates if you want to go to out bounds areas. Please listen to the patrols advice and be prepared before you go out the gates.
Out of bounds areas are unmanaged natural areas. Always make cautious decisions and do not over estimate your skills or equipment. Above 800m snow is reset, including the sides of the runs. Conditions are good.
Are you wearing a helmet? Is your beacon on? It is highly recommended to wear them but not compulsory. Don't duck ropes. Have a good day.
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Ski resort operation information: Tuesday 22nd January 2019
Subject to change due to weather conditions
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 310cm
- Base: 150cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts should be operating as normal (the King Number 2 quad closed)
- 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: 220cm
- Base: 185cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts should be operating as normal
- 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:
- All lifts should be operating as normal
- 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:
- All lifts should be operating as normal (the lazy Country Road lift closed)
- 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 Tuesday 22nd January 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 636cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 53 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 219cm reported on 19 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.