Niseko Now: Saturday 24th December 2016
- Dec 24, 2016
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 11cm
Snowfall at base this season 261cm
Posted on Saturday 24th December 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning to you all and Merry Christmas! Having lived in Japan for so long, I sometimes get confused into thinking that 24th December is 'Christmas' - so why not let's just celebrate both today and tomorrow. Hurray!
OK, so what do we have going on this weekend and what is Santa bringing us...
First of all, fresh snow on the ground at base. I have measured 11cm but it is one of those days where it is rather difficult to put a representative number on it because of the winds. (I realise that some people are probably going to have issues with my number, but I've got to go through the season with consistency so it is the number on my report today). As you can see on the Avalanche Report below, it is reporting very large amounts of snow in places on the mountain. Keep it all in mind.
So yes it was full-on wild blizzard weather yesterday here on Hokkaido. Similarly to how it was a couple of weeks ago, Sapporo region got a shed load of snowfall as well. That snow will be good ground work for the Sapporo Snow Festival for sure, but it caused problems over there. The weather conditions were bad enough to close the airport and make road conditions pretty hairy.
Here in Niseko the pesky rain in the morning changed into snow around lunchtime and from the afternoon the winds got themselves whipped up into a frenzy with the snow that was falling getting blown about. On a day like today take extra care out there with much deeper wind-blown snow drifts out there in places. Wrap up well too, it's going to be cold.
The earlier snow this morning has eased off for now and there's even a bit of blue sky in places as the time approaches 8:30am. Stronger winds on the mountain are still affecting some higher lifts at the start of the day today with my updates on that situation below.
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It is of course Christmas weekend with New Year now just around the corner. Niseko is lively and in party mode and there are more people here who are going to be less tolerant of accepting any kind of 'early-season' excuses for snow conditions less than perfect... we're kind of out of that zone now. People are expecting. Let's hope Niseko delivers - I am confident it will! I'm off out now to go check things out for myself.
Have a fun day everyone.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -8℃, large development of snowdrifts, up to 80cm snowfall in past 12hours. Coastal data: Kamui cape E4m/s, 1016hPa, 3.0m waves. Moiwa 850m: -10℃, N6m/s, 100cm snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m: -13℃, N20m/s, snowdrifts so deep that snowcats have difficulties grooming the course.
A strong northerly wind is persisting above 1000m elevation, making snowdrifts continue to develop. The wind at the base has dropped early morning and light crystal snow is falling. Huge snowdrifts have developed overnight and is sitting on top of Dec 23rd layer. 80cm thick slides have been observed in 800m leeward cornice slopes. According to the observations and weather transition, the avalanche risk is very high this morning.
The stabilization of snowdrifts in leeward slopes above 800m is delayed.
Avalanches are natural phenomenon that occur when conditions align. Snowfall or snowpack amount is not the essential factor. Many of the avalanche accidents occur during and just after storms. The snowpack will stabilize after a day, better stay inbounds and enjoy the snow in and around the courses. Please respect the Rules.
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Resort specific opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):
The mountain is not yet fully open with top lifts at three of the main resorts not yet operating.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Top Ace Number 4 and King Number 4 lifts not yet operating.
The King Number 3 lift is on hold at the start of the day due to wind conditions.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
All lifts generally open.
However, the top Number 3 lift is on hold at the start of the day.
Niseko Village
Top Wonderland lift not yet operating.
The Niseko Gondola is on hold at the start of the day due to wind conditions.
Niseko Annupuri
Top Jumbo Number 4 lift not yet operating.
Otherwise, open as planned.
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Official resort snow depths as of Saturday 24th December 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 230cm
Base - 80cm
Niseko Village
Top - 130cm
Base - 100cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 100cm
Base - 80cm
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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.
The lifts marked with a * above are the lifts that are planned to be operating for nighta.
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Saturday 24th December 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 261cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 30 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 151cm reported on 16 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.