Niseko Now: Monday 23rd March 2020
- Mar 23, 2020
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 716cm
Posted on Monday 23rd March 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
There has been a bit of a dusting of snow overnight (I can just about justify recording 1cm) and it is a mostly cloudy morning. Actually, it was brighter when I started putting this report together a while back, but as I am about to post it at 8:30am it has gone rather dark...
From this morning a few lifts are taking a rest after their long season - see the information below for those details. The mountain is still covered by the remaining lift operations though.
Night operations across the mountain have now finished for the season so the last lifts now close for the day at 4:30pm.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6am: -1°, trace snow, light winds, cloudy. Moiwa 800m:NW 316deg 2.8m/s, -3.0°, trace new snow, no snowdrift development. Annupuri 1100m: W 267deg 3.0m/s, -6.1°. Yu no Sawa 1000m: SSW 215deg, 0.8m/s, -5.6°. Niseko Village 900m: WSW 256deg 1.0m/s, -4.5°. Hirafu 1000m : -5.2°. Hanazono 720m:ENE 70deg , -3.1°. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW 11m/s. Kamui Cape: WSW 2m/s, 1008hPa, wave 0.7m.
A weak winter type weather pattern is bringing cold air into the area and strong westerly wind at higher levels. Above 700m there is 3cm of new snow on top of a crust, leeward slopes have a bit more build up. From observation and tests the general avalanche risk is low. Gates are expected to be open after preparations are made. Avoid getting taken out by a full depth avalanche by staying out of the valley bottoms. They are coming down from the sidewalls and cornice slopes around 1000m. The risk of full depth avalanches is less this year due to the below average snowfall, however we can never fully predict nature. Best to always be cautious.
Although there isn't lots of snow, there is no one around so the riding is good. As the temperature rises new snow below 700m will turn into “stop” snow. Morning will be the best time to ride in the trees. But be careful running into a one. Moiwa peak lift will be closed from today, therefore Mikaeri Avalanche Study will also conclude for the season. Thanks to Moiwa Ski Resort and groomer operators for your help. Have a good day.
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Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 320cm
- Base: 85cm
The following lifts are closed:
- Ace Number 1 pair
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Ace Number 4 pair
- King Number 2 quad
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 205cm
- Base: 105cm
All lifts are normally operating
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 180cm
- Base: 95cm
The following lifts are closed:
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 190cm
- Base: 100cm
The following lifts are closed:
- Upper Village Gondola
- Village Express
- Morino Chair
- Country Road Chair
Niseko Now 2019-2020 season |
Data as of Monday 23rd March 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 716cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 81 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 224cm reported on 20 days February 2020 snowfall 143cm reported on 19 days March 2020 snowfall 57cm reported on 11 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.