Niseko Now: Saturday 24th February 2018
- Feb 24, 2018
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 1160cm
Posted on Saturday 24th February 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just a little fresh snow to report this morning though I expect you'll see differences due to the strong winds overnight blowing it all about (example, check out the Avalanche report saying there's 40cm of wind blown snow over at Moiwa). Take care out there especially as that wind will have gone some way to sculpting the mountain to a new shape!
Less wind this morning and lifts appear to be moving as planned at the start of the day.
It is snowing lightly at the moment though it is fairly bright and visibility looks pretty decent.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 5.00am: -5°, no new snow. Moiwa 800m: -11°, NW7.1m/s, cornice and snowdrift development until early morning, 40cm wind blown snow. Annupuri 1150m: -11°, W11m/s, trace new snow, snowdrift development. Hirafu 1250m: -11°, NW15m/s, trace new snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW11m/s. Kamui Cape: W11m/s, 1019hPa, wave 2.8m.
A strong southerly wind picked up with the passing of a low pressure system, then from midnight till dawn a strong north westerly blew bring snowdrift and cornice development through wind blown snow. Avalanche risk on leeward slopes above 800m is high this morning. Although the amount of new snow is small, snowdrifts from the low pressure snowfall are easily collapsing. On slopes where new snowdrift growth has occurred be careful of shallow surface avalanches. From tests, fracture face is 23rd Feb low pressure layer. Cornices are fracturing with very little stimulation, keep well back from the edge.
All peak gates are expected to be open. Please listen to the patrols advice. Prepare before going out of bounds. The mountain has been savaged by the wind and in rough condition. Be careful riding. Do not cut under cornices and knolls. Today’s snowdrifts will easily fracture. Beacons switched on? Got your probe and shovel?
Moiwa Quad lift is still broken but expected to be running by tomorrow. Gate 6 will be closed and there is no access from ski area to Mikaeri/Goshiki area. A change in atmospheric pressure can be violent and the change in weather quick. Beware of strong winds and frostbite above the tree line. Visibility is poor. Take care. Being aware can prevent most accidents. Have a good day.
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Saturday 24th February 2018
Resort specific information (operations subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts (apart from King Number 2) should be operating
Official snow depth:
- Top: 505cm
- Base: 245cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts should be operating
Official snow depth:
- Top: 410cm
- Base: 260cm
Niseko Village
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts (apart from the Country Road Chair lift) should be operating
Official snow depth:
- Top: 410cm
- Base: 280cm
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Saturday 24th February 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 1160cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 84 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (31st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 406cm reported on 27 days January 2018 snowfall 305cm reported on 26 days February 2018 snowfall 261cm reported on 20 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.