Niseko Now: Friday 24th March 2017
- Mar 24, 2017
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 3, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 677cm
Posted on Friday 24th March 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Anyone get to enjoy yesterday? I was a bit annoyed that I had to miss it actually.
A trusted friend of mine told me conditions were rather good out there, especially in higher areas where there was more fresh than down at base. Not a massive amount, but surprisingly good snow quality for late March. Another person I know (who has a marketing hat stitched to his head) was seemingly getting a bit carried away with his version of conditions - 'best ever', apparently, which I found rather funny. Take your pick!
There's 1cm more fresh snowfall on the ground and it's nice and chilly early morning. Overcast conditions generally - dull in some directions but a bit brighter in others.
It does look like things are generally going to be getting a bit warmer in the coming week according to the forecasts (though not alarmingly so if they are correct), featuring more 'sun' than 'snow'.
There's surely not going to be much fresh snowfall left in the season, so I feel a duty to go out and make the most of it when we get some (and when I can!) - early lifts for me!
Have a good day.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Mountain base : -2°, trace new snow. Moiwa 800m: -6.3°, W5m/s, 5cm new snow, minor snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -10°, W8m/s, 10cm new snow, snowpack 230cm. Hirafu 1250m, -10°, N10m/s, 8cm new snow. Coastal data: Kamui Cape: ENE2m/s, 1014hPa, wave 0.9m, Benkei Cape NNE6m/s.
There is a strong northerly wind at higher elevations however below 800m winds are light and there is little noticeable snowdrift development. The wind is slowly dropping and it expected to be a good day. All gates are expected to be open. Note that around 1000m elevation shallow slab avalanche will easily trigger on steeper(40 degree) slopes. Avoid traversing and riding in groups on steep slopes. Do not wait in the valley bottoms.
Avalanches are a natural occurrence and happen when the conditions are right. They only become an accident if people are involved. Wearing a beacon is not mandatory but is recommended. If you or someone else is buried, it gives you one more tool to help in finding and rescue them.
Take care hitting trees or other obstacles, or falling into cracks. Wearing a helmet is also good idea. Snow is good, springtime mountain.
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Official resort snow depths as of Friday 24th March 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 330cm
Base - 125cm
Niseko Village
Top - 295cm
Base - 130cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 230cm
Base - 130cm
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Planned closing dates
Niseko Grand Hirafu plans to be open daily until Sunday 7th May.
Niseko Hanazono plans to be open daily until Sunday 2nd April.
Niseko Village plans to be open daily until Sunday 2nd April (and then from 28th April until 7th May).
Niseko Annupuri plans to be open daily until Sunday 7th May.
Night time floodlit operations have now finished for the season.
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Friday 24th March 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 677cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 82 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 181cm reported on 22 days January 2017 snowfall 152cm reported on 18 days February 2017 snowfall 160cm reported on 19 days March 2017 snowfall 74cm reported on 9 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.