Niseko Now: Tuesday 27th December 2016
- Dec 27, 2016
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 265cm
Posted on Tuesday 27th December 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Yesterday... it did get a bit too mild for snowfall and... it rained.
Oh dear.
It got really foggy too later in the day, or it did where I was anyway. I got caught up in it and quickly decided to head back to my base asap.
The good news is that the rain turned into snow and this morning I have a whopping 1cm to report to you. So you can probably take a decent guess at what conditions are going to be like this morning.
Around 16th/17th December I remember congratulating people who chose to be here at that time due to the lovely snow conditions we were having. Well, unfortunately the last week has been something of a let down after that. That is of course not to say that there is not a lot of fun to be had - of course; no misunderstandings please! - just that we have not been getting the regular refills that we expect and require. It just goes to show how quickly things can change as well; though once we get into the main season we rightly hope it's more 'on' than 'off'.
Taking another look at the updated forecast and it looks like we can expect light snow into tomorrow with perhaps heavier snow due around Thursday and into Friday.
Having said that, as I am writing this report it is snowing quite nicely. Continue please!
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Today was that super special 'premium' early lift thing at Niseko Grand Hirafu, if I recall correctly. Wonder how that's going.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -3℃, no snowfall. Moiwa peak: no data. Annupuri 1150m: -11℃, NNE8m/s, light snowfall. Hirafu 1200m: -11℃, N10m/s, snowfall and small snowdrifts. Coastal data: Kamui cape ESE2m/s, 1009hPa, 1.3m waves.
Although under typical winter barometric pattern, the isobars are spread out and the weather is relatively calm this morning. Snowdrifts and cornices development is small. The general avalanche risk is low.
Too many people are ducking ropes with selfish interpretation. The gate system in Niseko is based on the premise that all users respect the Rules. Neglecting them is not good.
The resort is considering partial opening of gates soon, please be patient.
Moiwa gate 6 is scheduled to open this weekend as the rescue cat track has been groomed. However, the bushes are still thick. Make conservative decisions.
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Resort specific opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):
The mountain is nearly (but not yet quite) fully open. Doesn't feel windy here at base but apparently a few top lifts are on hold at the start of the day due to windy conditions in upper areas.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
The top Ace Number 4 lift remains closed.
King Number 4 lift is on stand-by at the start of the day, due to wind conditions.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
All lifts plan to be operating as planned.
Niseko Village
Wonderland Chair is on stand-by at the start of the day, due to wind conditions.
Niseko Annupuri
All lifts plan to be operating as planned.
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Official resort snow depths as of Tuesday 27th December 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 220cm
Base - 75cm
Niseko Village
Top - 130cm
Base - 100cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 105cm
Base - 80cm
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Night skiing is planned until Monday 20th March 2017 at the Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village resort areas. There is no nighta in the Hanazono area.
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Tuesday 27th December 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 265cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 32 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 155cm reported on 18 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.