Niseko Now: Sunday 24th March 2019
- Mar 24, 2019
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 18cm
Snowfall at base this season 937cm
Posted on Sunday 24th March 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning.
And what excellent news I have for you this morning.
18cm of fresh snow to be measured on the ground here at base (total from measurement taken yesterday evening and this morning), with probably more higher up.
Can't say I was totally expecting that!
But conditions should be great for anyone lucky enough to be here just now. And that includes me. Lifts appear to be opening as planned. I've had my early toast and I'm going to get out there.
I would never utter words like 'Powder Paradise' (complete with capital letters) myself, but it does feel like winter again and I am jolly excited. Late March is trying to make up and give us a nice last taste of winter.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Mountain Base 6.00am: -6°, 25cm new snow, cornice and snowdrift development. Moiwa 800m: -8.2°, NNW6.18m/s, 30cm new snow. Annupuri 1100m: -11.1°, W5.90m/s, snow depth 250cm. Hirafu 1000m: -10.6°, ESE3.50m/s. Kutchan Weather Station: -4.9°, snow depth 101cm, SSW0.4m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NNW14m/s. Kamui Cape: W9m/s, pressure 1005hPa, wave 0.9m.
Following the passing of a low pressure system there has been snowdrift and cornice development above 800m due to the wind and snowfall. From observation, cornices are collapsing and snowdrifts fracturing easily. The morning avalanche risk is a little high. There is the possibility of surface avalanches, depth up to 45cm, around 1000m elev in Osawa, Kozan no sawa on SE facing steep slopes and knolls. Take care. Gate openings not yet decided. Please respect the patrol's decisions. Do not duck ropes. Snow in the forest is good but is also light so you are still hitting the bottom. Cracks are hidden by the new snow. Be careful. Avalanches follow the valley bottoms, do not spend time in them. Niseko is back to Powder Paradise. Have a good day.
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Ski resort operation information: Sunday 24th March 2019
Subject to change due to weather conditions
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Plans to be open until Monday 6th May 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 330cm
- Base: 120cm
Ski lifts operation news:
- Ace Number 1 pair, King Number 2 quad and Ace Number 4 pair lift closed
- Plans to be open until Monday 6th May
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Plans to be open until Sunday 31st March 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 229cm
- Base: 170cm
Ski lifts operation news:
- All lifts open
- Plans to be open until Sunday 7th April
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Niseko Annupuri
Plans to be open until Monday 6th May 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 280cm
- Base: 100cm
Ski lifts operation news:
- Jumbo Number 3 pair lift closed
- Plans to be open until Monday 6th May
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Niseko Village
Plans to be open until Sunday 7th April 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 280cm
- Base: 100cm
Ski lifts operation news:
- Community Chair and Morino Chair closed
- Country Road Chair open
- Plans to be open until Sunday 7th April
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Sunday 24th March 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 937cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 87 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (29th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 333cm reported on 26 days January 2019 snowfall 285cm reported on 25 days February 2019 snowfall 198cm reported on 20 days March 2019 snowfall 37cm reported on 8 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.