Niseko Now: Thursday 23rd February 2017
- Feb 23, 2017
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 550cm
Posted on Thursday 23rd February 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just a little bit of snow to report from later on in the day yesterday... not much more than a dusting really, but I will be on the generous side and give the report a 1cm. Whoo-hoo!
Yes, while today is milder from the start, it is going to get colder later on with snow forecast into tomorrow and hopefully over the weekend too.
For the moment it is cloudy and fog is covering the upper areas too with poor visibility halting the top Annupuri and Hanazono lifts, wind also being mentioned by Hanazono. Doesn't feel windy down here at base though.
I have observed 107cm of snowfall here at base in February so far - we need a lot of snow over the next 6 days to catch up with February in previous recent seasons.
Come on, let's finish the month in style please!
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -2℃, some sprinkles. Moiwa800m: -3.9℃, E2.5m/s, light sprinkles. Annupuri1150m: -6℃, W2m/s, sprinkles. Hirafu1250m: -8℃, S10m/s, sprinkles. Kamui cape lighthouse: ENE3m/s, 1005hPa, 1.1m waves.
Being in between two high pressure systems, the wind stays low and not much snowfall. Thick fog and low visibility above 800m elevation. Looking at the snowfall transition and observations, the snowpack is stable and the avalanche risk is low.
More than 1000 people went out the gates, but no accidents or lost people were reported. We are grateful that people are acting with common sense. All gates are expected to open today, please follow the ski patrol’s instructions. Please refrain from entering strictly off-limits areas to seek fresh snow. One track left under the rope would lead many others to do the same and increase the chances of accidents to happen. There are strict rules regarding out of bounds riding in Niseko. Today’s freedom to step out of bounds rely on those Rules, please respect them.
Yesterday’s tracks are still present. Beware of falling & crashing. The light is flat. Today’s surface layer will turn into a hoar layer in the future snowpack (Feb 23rd low-pressure system snowfall) and potentially become a notable weak layer. Beware of sudden weather changes. Have a safe day.
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Resort specific opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
The top Ace Number 4 and King Number 4 lifts are on hold at the start of the day due to wind and fog/poor visibility.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
The top Hanazono Number 3 lift is on hold at the start of the day due to wind and fog/poor visibility.
Niseko Village
The top Wonderland Chair lift is on hold at the start of the day.
Niseko Annupuri
The top Jumbo 4 lift is on hold at the start of the day due to poor visibility.
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Official resort snow depths as of Thursday 23rd February 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 310cm
Base - 120cm
Niseko Village
Top - 300cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 315cm
Base - 140cm
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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.
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Thursday 23rd February 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 550cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 69 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 181cm reported on 22 days January 2017 snowfall 152cm reported on 18 days February 2017 snowfall 107cm reported on 15 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.