Niseko Now: Wednesday 22nd January 2020
- Jan 22, 2020
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 484cm
Posted on Wednesday 22nd January 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Yesterday was a good one! Definitely one of the best days of the season so far for me and no doubt for many others too. People certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves.
This morning I have measured an additional 12cm of snow here at base to add to my report today, with almost all of that coming during the day yesterday.
There is a lot of cloud around and some very (very) light snow has still been falling as I put this report together in some areas; there is a bit of blue sky in others. Mt Yotei is currently shrouded in cloud.
There's not much of a wind at all. All in all, I think it should be another very fine day and there's lots of good folk lined up for first lifts.
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I was of course very pleased with the conditions we enjoyed here in Niseko yesterday, but also very happy to see that snow was falling in lots of mountainous regions of Japan too.
It felt more like a 'normal' day in January for Japan.
Here's to lots more of those.
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Someone asked about the 'official snow depth' data from the ski resorts that I keep updated each morning (below).
'Why is it just 100cm at base at Annupuri and Village?'
'Why is it 155cm at Annupuri and 250cm at Hirafu?'
'Why doesn't it increase by 30cm when you report 30cm of snowfall at base in your report?'
Nature does not deliver snowfall in uniform numbers (though many Japanese ski resorts do appear to record their numbers in clean units of 5cm!), and there are indeed variations between even close-by areas. Snow gets groomed and packed. Etc. Sometimes numbers might just not get updated. (I am not suggesting that is the case here at the Niseko resorts). I am not in control of those numbers - I am just checking and reporting them to you. In contrast, I am 100% in charge of my own observed snowfall number each morning. I tell you what I see, no naughty adding or subtracting!
My personal feeling is that while official snow depth numbers can be interesting - especially when looking at a season as a whole and comparing with previous seasons - too much thinking about them won't get you anywhere. The amount of fresh snow that we are getting is much more meaningful on a day to day basis.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -6℃, light dusting in 12h. Moiwa 800m: 3.3m/s, 312°(NW), -7.4℃. Hirafu 1000m: 2.1m/s 93°(E), -9.6℃. Hanazono 720m: 2.7m/s, 135°(SE), -7.1℃. Niseko Village 900m: 2.0m/s 233°(SW), -9.1℃. Benkei cape: WSW5m/s, Kamui cape:SW15m/s, 1023hPa, 1.5m waves. Annupuri 1000m snow depth 150cm.
The developments of snowdrifts and cornices have settled down. Looking at various data, the slabs in leeward slopes below 800m elevation are consolidating/stabilizing and the avalanche risk is lowering, however hazard level remains relatively high in 900-1000m leeward slopes of the Backbowl and O-sawa, as well as SW gullies of Chisenupuri and NE gully of Iwaonupuri and Higashi-One cornice slopes. 50-60cm thick slides triggered from Jan 20th low-pressure snowfall can occur anytime. Most accidents happen during and just after snowstorms.
Leeward slopes below 800m have been mostly reset and the snow in the woods is good. Stay away from knolls, cornices and do not group at the bottom of a slope. Avalanches strike from above and there are many people riding the same zone. Be mindful of other skiers/snowboarders. Have you turned your beacon on? Do you carry safety gear? Proper equipment can not only save your life, but help others too. All gates are scheduled to open. Follow the ski patrol’s instructions. Have a nice day.
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Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 250cm
- Base: 125cm
All lifts are normally operating EXCEPT:
- King Number 2 quad lift (this lift is normally rested)
All courses normally open
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Ace Family quad until 8:30pm
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad until 8:20pm
- Hirafu Gondola until 8:10pm
- Holiday Number 1 pair until 8:30pm
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 177cm
- Base: 115cm
All lifts are normally operating
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 155cm
- Base: 100cm
All lifts are normally operating
Lift scheduled for late operations:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad until 8:30pm
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 175cm
- Base: 100cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT:
- Country Road (this lift is normally rested)
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Annupuri Village Gondola until 8:00pm
- Village Express until 8:00pm
- Banzai Chair until 8:00pm
Niseko Now 2019-2020 season |
Data as of Wednesday 22nd January 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 484cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 47 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 33cm (21st January) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 207cm reported on 21 days January 2020 snowfall 192cm reported on 16 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.