Niseko Now: Saturday 25th January 2020
- Jan 25, 2020
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 8cm
Snowfall at base this season 507cm
Posted on Saturday 25th January 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning, and a Happy New Year to our friends here celebrating the Chinese New Year. And of course those reading from afar.
过年好 I hope I got that right, forgive me if I didn't.
It is a cold morning here. Brrrrr. -9C, Mr Thermometer says. An extra layer kind of day. (Yesterday was very cold out there too).
Talking of layers, I have 8cm of fresh snowfall to report from base which is good. It was snowing quite heavily for a while just a little earlier; 'light snow' more accurately describes what I am seeing right now as I am about to post this report.
Hopefully the lifts will fare better today as a fair few were put on hold due to strong winds yesterday. As of 8:30am, all lifts appear to be scheduled to be operating as normal.
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There just seems to be so many major things to be genuinely worried about right now doesn't there, the latest one being this new virus which is obviously very concerning not only for our friends in China.
Let us all hope that it can be contained quickly...
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -9℃, slight snowfall with snowdrift development. Moiwa 800m: 329°(NW) 10.4m/s, -12.3℃. Hirafu 1000m: 340°(N) 6.2m/s, -15.1℃. Hanazono 720m: 320°(NW) 5.0m/s, -12.2℃. Mizuno no sawa9 00m: 308°(WNW) 5.6m/s, -13.9℃. Yu no sawa 1000m: 333°(NNW) 5.1m/s, -10.9℃. Benkei cape: NW14m/s, Kamui cape: N8m/s, 1029hPa, 2.8m waves. Annupuri 1000m snow depth 135cm.
A wintery pressure distribution is persisting and wind-affected snow is accumulating in leeward slopes. The newly formed snowdrifts are unstable and are prone to slide in some slopes above 800m elevation. The avalanche risk will remain high during the morning in slopes with heavy snowdrift development such as the Kozan no sawa (Backbowl) & O-sawa (Annupuri bowl) 900-1000m SE aspects slopes. The same conditions applies in surrounding peaks.
All peak gates are scheduled to open, however it will remain dependant on lift operations and ski patrol’s final decision. Please follow the instructions. Do not ski off-limits areas such as Haru no Taki to seek fresh tracks. Your lift pass will be confiscated if you get caught. Resort managers will come find you even if you run away. The snow in the trees is not in bad shape. It’s cold today, beware of frostbites. Have a nice day.
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Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 230cm
- Base: 110cm
All lifts are normally operating EXCEPT:
- King Number 2 quad lift (this lift is normally rested)
All courses normally open
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Ace Family quad until 8:30pm
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad until 8:20pm
- Hirafu Gondola until 8:10pm
- Holiday Number 1 pair until 8:30pm
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 176cm
- Base: 113cm
All lifts are normally operating
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 155cm
- Base: 110cm
All lifts are normally operating
Lift scheduled for late operations:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad until 8:30pm
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 175cm
- Base: 100cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT:
- Country Road (this lift is normally rested)
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Annupuri Village Gondola until 8:00pm
- Village Express until 8:00pm
- Banzai Chair until 8:00pm
Niseko Now 2019-2020 season |
Data as of Saturday 25th January 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 507cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 50 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 33cm (21st January) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 207cm reported on 21 days January 2020 snowfall 215cm reported on 19 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.