Niseko Now: Tuesday 24th December 2013
- Dec 24, 2013
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 35cm
Snowfall at base this season 336cm
Posted on Tuesday 24th December 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
And a very good Christmas Eve morning to you all from Niseko.
The main reason it's so good is because of the snow that we have been getting since my last report. Light, deep, dry and lots of it.
What more could we want. So much for those forecasts, hey?
Anyway. Yes, we have had over 30cm since my last report, more like 40cm outside my place here in Hirafu and surely up there on the mountain too.
It's relatively calm too this morning and the snow is still falling.
Have a fun day. It should be a really very good one!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -6C, overnight snowfall 25cm, calm wind. Moiwa 800m: -7C, 30cm of fresh, calm wind. Annupuri 1150m: -10C, 30cm of fresh, moderate development of snowdrifts, wind-ripples. Slightly less snowfall in Hirafu. Coastal data: WNW9m/s, 1.7m waves and 1011hPa. Westerly wind under 10m/s is stagnating in 1000m area.
According to observations and weather transition, the general avalanche hazard is low, however slab slides are to be considered in knolls and cornice slopes just under the ridgeline around 1100m. The snow in the trees is in good shape and gates are scheduled to open as they’re ready to. Gate 6 & 7 were open yesterday, but is subject to snow & weather conditions today. Please respect the ski patrol’s decisions. Accessing the out of bounds areas is restricted when gates are closed.
The snowpack is still insufficient, bushes and stumps are still lying just under the surface. Avalanches are not the only hazards in winter mountains. Do not overestimate knowledge and skills, ski/ride within your limits. The Niseko Rules flyer is available in multi-language. These Rules have been set to protect the freedom to ski out of bounds while keeping the minimum safety. Never enter the strictly off-limits areas and never duck ropes.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 230cm
Base - 105cm
All lifts operating apart from Ace Number 4 pair and King Number 2 quad.
Niseko Village:
Top - 120cm
Base - 80cm
All lifts operating apart from Country Road.
Annupuri:
Top - 115cm
Base - 90cm
All lifts operating apart from Family pair.
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Tuesday 24th December 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 336cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 24 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 35cm (14th, 15th and 24th December) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days December 2013 snowfall 213cm 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.