Niseko Now: Sunday 26th January 2020
- Jan 26, 2020
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 9cm
Snowfall at base this season 516cm
Posted on Sunday 26th January 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I have ever so slightly over 9cm of fresh snow to report again this morning. I was actually over close to Niseko Village earlier and noticed it was more like 5cm over there, so we seem to have got a bit more on the Hirafu side this morning. Still, gradual modest deliveries of snow are always most welcome.
It is another of those mornings where these is some (very) light snow falling in places and cloud but some blue sky as well and it is quite bright in places. So a rather mixed picture.
Actually, I'd say that over the last 30 minutes or so there's much more of the blue sky and sunshine trying to break through... so much so that I have re-done the images that I originally prepared at 8:00am to reflect that.
All lifts appear to be opening as normal this morning.
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I don't know why the (official) upper snow depth at Niseko Grand Hirafu has increased by 30cm this morning, even taking into account windy conditions with snow being blown about.
I am pretty sure I checked the number yesterday morning. So, I don't know. Sounds like it needs investigating! ;)
Anyway, I just thought I would point that out in case anyone notices and was wondering.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
oiwa Mountain Base 6.00am: -9°, trace new snow. Moiwa 800m: 8.5m/s 329 deg NNW,-10.6°. Yu no Sawa 1000m: 1.5m/s311deg NW, -13.3°. Niseko Village Mizuno no Sawa 900m: 1.0m/s 304 deg WNW , -12.3° Hirafu 1000m: 7.2m/s N, -13.5°. Hanazono 720m: 0.8m/s 118 deg ESE, -11.7°. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NW8m/s. Kamui Cape N5m/s, 1028hPa, wave 1.6m.
Above 800m a 15m/s strong northerly wind continues with blowing snow causing snowdrift development on the leeward slopes. Although not much snow has fallen there is the possibility of avalanche around 1000m on SE facing knolls and cornices slopes, with a fracture up to 50cm depth. From observation and data generally there is no significant avalanche risk in the morning. However always take care.
The atmospheric pressure gradient should flatten and the weather to calm down. Peak gates are expected to be open this morning. Please listen to the patrols advice before you enter out of bounds areas. If you follow someone you don't know you may become lost. Always be cautious. The groomers are good and some areas off-piste are fantastic. Always wear a helmet. Have a good day.
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Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 260cm
- Base: 125cm
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: 185cm
- Base: 117cm
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 Sunday 26th January 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 516cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 51 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 224cm reported on 20 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.