Niseko Now: Tuesday 26th December 2017
- Dec 26, 2017
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 13cm
Snowfall at base this season 495cm
Posted on Tuesday 26th December 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I promised better news this morning. And yes, sort of because it has got much colder once again and we do have some fresh snow. My number is 13cm but wind was a big factor yesterday so it's may well be wildly different in places. I suspect much more than that actually fell, but I record from the same place every day, so...
So yes, pretty intense weather since my last report. From around mid-morning things started getting a bit wild with snow and very strong winds blowing things about. There may have even been some flying cows. I think I made the right choice in staying in, eating and drinking.
I am having trouble accessing official information this morning, but expect lift disruptions today too. If you do decide to venture out, take extra care.
These are not friendly conditions.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 5.00am: -10°, 20cm new snow, snowdrift development. Moiwa 800m : -12.4°, W15.5m/s, 200cm snowdrift. Annupuri 1150m: -13.5°, W25m/s, major snowdrift development on eastern side slopes, 30cm new snow. Hirafu 1250m: 16°, strong wind, snowdrift development. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NW25m/s. Kamui Cape: WSW21m/s, 997hPa, wave 7.5m.
Currently there is a high pressure to west and massive low pressure 943hPa in the Sea of Okhotsk, bringing strong winds that are savaging the mountains and the sea. A W30m/s blizzard continues blowing above 1000m and 7m swell on the ocean. Survey at 800m shows rapid snow drift development, drifts are unstable and more than 3m in some locations. Blade test instantly fractured, propagating over long distance. Snowdrift development continues. Avalanche risk is extremely high.
It is yet to be decided if top lifts will run. All gates will be closed. Steeps slopes at Nitonupuri, Iwaonupuri, Mikaeri Bowl, Kozan no Sawa, lower Osawa and Higashi One there is high possibility of over 100cm deep surface avalanches over wide areas. Best not to go backcountry today. Onsen or a Sushi resturant is a better plan. Roads are dangerous too, so be careful driving.
The weather and snow will soon get better. This low pressure is the biggest on the Pacific at the moment. Accidents can easily happen in bad weather. Take precaution
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Tuesday 26th December 2017
Resort specific information (operations subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts except Ace Number 4 and King Number 2 are operating
** Strong winds are affecting lifts at the start of the day - details unconfirmed
Official snow depth:
- Top: 270cm
- Base: 110cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts are operating
** Strong winds are affecting lifts at the start of the day - details unconfirmed
Official snow depth:
- Top: 210cm
- Base: 160cm
Niseko Village
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts except Country Road Chair are operating
** Strong winds are affecting lifts at the start of the day - details unconfirmed
Official snow depth:
- Top: 220cm
- Base: 170cm
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Floodlit 'nighta' skiing:
Night skiing is planned for every evening at the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area. Ski lifts that are scheduled to be operating for nighta are noted below (subject to change):
* Niseko Grand Hirafu - Ace Family quad, Ace Number 2 quad, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 pair
* Niseko Annupuri - Jumbo Number 1 quad lift
* Niseko Village - Village Express, Upper Village Gondola, Community Chair, Banzai Chair
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Tuesday 26th December 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 495cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 34 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (21st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 307cm 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.