Niseko Now: Friday 26th December 2014
- Dec 26, 2014
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 45cm
Snowfall at base this season 484cm
Posted on Friday 26th December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Huge amounts of fresh snowfall to report this morning as it keeps on coming down.
40-45cm outside my place, resorts on the mountain report that and more. 60cm on the upper areas of the mountain this morning? Very probably. Amazing.
When Niseko is firing on all cylinders like it is now, it's really impressive stuff. Being here for a long time doesn't damper that feeling at all.
Snow to ease off maybe later on in the day today or early tomorrow and there might even be some sunshine over the weekend. Still looks like it will warm up slightly through early in the week before more significant snow arrives. I think some people would enjoy a bit of a break from the full-on conditions and get the chance to see the beauty of the areas and not just of the snow on the slopes. Not for long though of course; we always want more snow round the corner.
King Number 4 lift and Dynamic Course opening at Niseko Grand Hirafu today meaning that all of the courses at that resort area are now open. Similarly, with the Panorama Course opening at Niseko Annupuri, all of the courses there are open too.
Lots of folk lined up for the opening of the lifts this morning eager to get out and enjoy the snow. Who would blame them! It has certainly been a very merry Christmas for people lucky to be here at the moment.
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Resort specific news at time of writing - subject to change during the day
Niseko Grand Hirafu:
King Number 4 lift to start moving today. Dynamic course now open meaning that all of the courses at Hirafu are now open.
Niseko Hanazono:
All Niseko Hanazono lifts will be open as normal.
Niseko Village:
Top Wonderland Chair now open, resort open as planned.
Niseko Annupuri:
Panorama Course open from today - meaning that all of the courses at Annupuri are now open. All lifts open too.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -8C, 40cm of overnight snowfall. Moiwa 600m: -10C, 50cm of light crystal snow on the course. Annupuri 1150m: -13C, 60cm of fresh. Hirafu 1000m: -10C, 60cm of fresh. Coastal data: Benkei cape NW19m/s, Kamui cape NNE11m/s, 1010hPa, 2.0m waves.
Heavy dump of light snow generated by a typical winter weather pattern. The atmospheric pressure gradient is shelving and the snowdrifts are yet to largely develop under 900m altitude, however drastic development of snowdrifts are forecasted as the storm picks up. High altitude open slopes should be avoided today. The avalanche hazard in Higashi-One (East ridge) and Osawa 1000m line remains high. The snow in the trees is good, but too deep. Better stay close to the courses today. Gates 5 & 6 are scheduled to open. An access route between Moiwa and Annupuri has been made yesterday, however this is a connecting route for rescue purposes and will not be groomed. This route will be inaccessible when gate 6 is closed as it is outside the resort boundary. Please follow the ski patrol’s instructions.
Please beware of overspeeding and loosing control on the courses. Snowcats have been having difficulties grooming due to the heavy amount of snowfall. Have a safe day.
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Official snow depth numbers and any notes at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 300cm
Base - 160cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 190cm
Base - 130cm
Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 165cm
Base - 130cm
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Lifts open for night skiing (planned):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Ace Family Pair lift, Ace Number 2 Center Four lift, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 Pair lift
(There is no night skiing at the Hanazono area)
Niseko Village
Community Chair and Banzai Chair
Niseko Annupuri
Jumbo Number 1 Quad
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Friday 26th December 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 484cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 28 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th and 26th December) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 454cm 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.