Niseko Now: Monday 23rd January 2017
- Jan 23, 2017
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 9cm
Snowfall at base this season 386cm
Posted on Monday 23rd January 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Snow started falling yesterday and this morning there's a layer of fresh snow on the ground here at base. Hurray!
I have 9cm of it to report to you at the time of writing and it is continuing to snow - and should continue today, so we should be adding to that during the day.
Today wind is a big issue from the start of the day with the resort specific status as it is at 8:30am added below. Basically top lifts not opening.
It should be very cold tonight and more cloud/snow conditions tomorrow. Just doesn't look like a major dump should be expected though; according to forecasts. Friday seems a better bet for that...
Until tomorrow!
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -6℃, 15cm snowfall. Moiwa 800m: -6℃, ESE7.2m/s, 152cm snowpack. Anupuri 1150m: -11℃, NW16m/s, snowdrift developing. Hirafu1250m: -10℃, 12m/s, large development of snowdrifts. Kamui cape lighthouse: ENE4m/s, 1003hPa, 3.2m waves.
Snowfall picked up as the low-pressure passed and made snowdrifts develop in areas above 800m. A 25cm blanket of wind-affected snow is evenly covering the west facing slopes. Looking at the snowfall transition, a good amount of little dense snow is present in slopes below 1000m, and the avalanche risk is moderately high. If the storm picks up, the hazard level will rise accordingly. Stay away from cornices and knolls, do not traverse across steep slopes. All gates are scheduled to open. Seek advice at the gates, before stepping out of bounds.
Hazard levels are objectively evaluated and gates will close when the level are high. Niseko community respects the freedom and cares for the safety of the guests. Anyone is allowed to step out of bounds if they will, but only when the gates are open.
Beware of sudden weather changes. The snow in the treeruns is splendid today.
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Resort specific opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Just the lower lifts are opening at the moment (Ace Family, Ace Number 1, King Number 1 and Holiday Number 1). Other lifts on hold due to wind conditions.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
The top Hanazono Number 3 lift is on hold at the start of the day due to wind conditions.
Niseko Village
The Niseko Gondola, Morino Chair and top Wonderland Chair lifts are on hold at the start of the day due to wind conditions.
Niseko Annupuri
The Annupuri Gondola and top Jumbo Number 4 lift are on hold at the start of the day due to wind conditions.
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Official resort snow depths as of Monday 23rd January 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 260cm
Base - 90cm
Niseko Village
Top - 220cm
Base - 130cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 225cm
Base - 130cm
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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 Monday 23rd January 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 386cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 49 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 95cm reported on 13 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.