Niseko Now: Saturday 23rd March 2019
- Mar 23, 2019
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 4cm
Snowfall at base this season 919cm
Posted on Saturday 23rd March 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning and good news!
Yes, there's some fresh snow on the ground this morning. I have 4cm of it to report to you and I am hearing possibly close to 10cm on higher areas. That is very good to hear and there will be a race to the top from the people still around (including more folk who have been working for the winter with a bit more time on their hands).
Feels cold too this morning. The early light snow easing off and there's some sunshine at the moment. Looks like changeable weather today and tomorrow with warmer conditions due once again early in the upcoming week.
Anyway, have a good Saturday! I'm going to go check out this new snow.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Mountain base 6am: -7℃, 5cm snowfall. Moiwa800m: -9℃, WSW1.9m/s, 5cm snowfall, snowdrifts developed during the night. Annupuri 1100m: -11.8℃, WNW2.3m/s, 250cm snow depth. Hirafu1000m: -11.7℃, N3m/s. Kucthan weather station: -7.4℃, 90cm snow depth. Benkei cape: NW5m/s, Kamui cape: NW6m/s, 1011hPa, 1.5m waves.
A strong cold air inflow with a westerly wind picking up overnight made snowdrifts develop drastically above 800m elevation. 40cm thick surface slab avalanches are to be expected in Osawa and Backbowl SE aspects, leeward knolls and cornice slopes during the morning. Similar hazardous conditions are present in surrounding mountains. Beware. A decent layer of fresh snow has blanketed the tree-runs, however still not quite bottomless powder conditions. Ride carefully. Some cracks are covered and difficult to see.
All gates are scheduled to open. Please follow the ski patrol’s instructions. The mountain is back to winter. Beware of poor visibility and do not ride the valley bottom carelessly. Have a great weekend.
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Ski resort operation information: Saturday 23rd March 2019
Subject to change due to weather conditions
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Plans to be open until Monday 6th May 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 310cm
- Base: 90cm
Ski lifts operation news:
- Ace Number 1 pair, King Number 2 quad and Ace Number 4 pair lift closed
- Plans to be open until Monday 6th May
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Plans to be open until Sunday 7th April 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 208cm
- Base: 145cm
Ski lifts operation news:
- All lifts open
- Plans to be open until Sunday 7th April
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Niseko Annupuri
Plans to be open until Monday 6th May 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 270cm
- Base: 90cm
Ski lifts operation news:
- Jumbo Number 3 pair lift closed
- Plans to be open until Monday 6th May
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Niseko Village
Plans to be open until Sunday 7th April 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 270cm
- Base: 90cm
Ski lifts operation news:
- Community Chair closed
- Country Road Chair watch: open!
- Plans to be open until Sunday 7th April
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Saturday 23rd March 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 919cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 86 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 285cm reported on 25 days February 2019 snowfall 198cm reported on 20 days March 2019 snowfall 19cm reported on 7 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.