Niseko Now: Wednesday 28th December 2016
- Dec 28, 2016
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 4cm
Snowfall at base this season 269cm
Posted on Wednesday 28th December 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Yikes it was cold when I got woken up for some reason at 6am this morning. When I finally got up it wasn't that much 'less cold' with the thermometer telling me it was -7C. There's also some fresh snow on the ground. Not as much as we would like - slightly over 4cm but with it being so cold the quality of that 4cm looks pretty good. The forecast over the next few days is for continued snowfall and so hopefully this is the start of a decent delivery. As always, expect more at higher elevations so there should be some decent turns on offer especially if you are getting some of the first lifts to top.
Did I say continued snowfall over the next few days? Well, it was snowing earlier on but the sun has actually broken through a few of the clouds as I am about to post this report, and over to the east I can see some bits of blue sky too. So perhaps it's 'continued' as in 'on and off'. Or something.
Whatever, I will of course be reporting the latest to you about this time tomorrow.
Oh yes - from today, the Miharashi course at Niseko Grand Hirafu is planned to be open.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -8C, 5cm new snow. Moiwa peak: -10℃, 15cm new snow, 60cm snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m: -16℃, NW15m/s, snowdrifts developing. Hirafu 1200m: -16℃, N15m/s, wind exposed. Many development of snowdrifts around 800m elevation. Coastal data: Kamui cape N13m/s, 1016hPa, 2.0m waves.
The barometric pressure gradient is steep and strong wind is blowing above 1000m altitude. The snowdrifts at 800m has been tested and are unstable. The avalanche risk will remain high in leeward knolls and cornice slopes above 800m elevation. Potential slide layer is Dec 26th, and the new snowdrift above it would collapse.
The snowpack is gradually growing, however access to the out of bounds area from the resort is still restricted. All resorts are doing their best to prepare the gates, however is delayed due to lack of snow.
Please respect to the Niseko Rules. They were born from bitter lessons in the past and are here for the safety of all guests. Realizing the risk you've been taking after an accident is too late. A great variety of people come to ski resorts and the community is mindful of the freedom and safety of ALL of them. The Niseko Rules is not a tool to promote tourism.
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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.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
The top Ace Number 4 lift remains closed.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
All lifts appear to be operating as planned.
Niseko Village
All lifts appear to be operating as planned.
Niseko Annupuri
All lifts appear to be operating as planned.
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Official resort snow depths as of Wednesday 28th December 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 220cm
Base - 80cm
Niseko Village
Top - 130cm
Base - 100cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 115cm
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 Wednesday 28th December 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 269cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 33 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 159cm 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.