Niseko Now: Friday 24th January 2014
- Jan 24, 2014
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 30, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 782cm
Posted on Friday 24th January 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just a few cm to report from Hirafu this morning so a thin layer of fresh. Light snow and overcast this morning but the forecast for the day is just cloudy. Keeping cold - overnight and early on anyway. It is forecast to warm up something this afternoon with a high of around +3 degrees likely in Kutchan town. It will be a relatively mild night as well and milder than usual conditions tomorrow. Just cloudy according to the forecast.
By the beginning of next week though we should see a return to colder conditions. And of course hopefully that consistent large daily delivery of snow!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -7C, 3cm new snow in the last 12hrs. Moiwa 800m: -8C, light winds. 5cm new crystal snow. Annupuri 1150m: -9C, wind W25m/s, no new snow, groomed runs firm. Hirafu 1000m: -12C. Annupuri peak 1308m: -10.9C, wind S2.7m/s, wind predicted to be W10m/s at noon. Cape Benkei: SSW5m/s, Cape Kamui: SSW16m/s, wave 1.6m, pressure 1016hPa.
Gate opening times yet to be decided. Please listen the Patrols advice. The isobars are moving closer together and strong wind above 1100m, temperature will rise through the day. Snow pack above Jan 21st layer remains unstable and the risk of surface slab avalanches continues. Avoid knolls and cornice slopes. Avalanche risk is rising on open slopes and gladed trees.
Accidents continue to occur off-piste. Avalanches are not the only danger in the mountains. Do not over estimate your skills or rely on technology. Fat skis are going to get you deep into the mountains but they are not going to save your life. The Jan 24 layer will become notable layer in the future snowpack. Snow pit check is not a ceremony, it is just one tool in assessing stability. Do not make decisions based solely on your snowpit assessment. There is not much new snowfall. Beware cracks, hitting trees. Have a safe day.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 405cm
Base - 190cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 330cm
Base - 220cm
Annupuri:
Top - 290cm
Base - 210cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Friday 24th January 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 782cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 54 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (14th January) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days December 2013 snowfall 275cm reported on 22 days January 2014 snowfall 384cm reported on 23 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.