Niseko Now: Saturday 28th January 2017
- Jan 28, 2017
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 11cm
Snowfall at base this season 429cm
Posted on Saturday 28th January 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
First of all, Happy (Chinese) New Year! Here's to a good one for all.
The lifts I mentioned in the report yesterday remained closed through the day, with a few others joining them including the Annupuri Gondola later in the day. The fairly nasty weather conditions continued too; the rain turned into snow but it was fairly wet. I noticed that the Free Ride Park at Grand Hirafu also closed mid-morning - due to poor visibility.
So onto today. And the good news... is that the rain turned into snow and there's 11cm of it to report at my measuring point. However, with the day starting off with rain and mild conditions yesterday, it's perhaps not much of a surprise that the snow is heavy and wet.
It is colder again this morning too which is good.
Unfortunately, is still very windy indeed this morning. At the start of the day Annupuri is completely closed due to the conditions and top lifts at the other three resort areas not able to open.
Today might well be another good day to sit out, relax in an onsen or do some other kind of activity. Having said that, the slopes that are open may be quiet!
Tomorrow sunshine is forecast at least for part of the day and things should be much calmer. I suspect it will also be busy out there. Planning for early tracks recommended.
----
Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -11℃, 20cm snowfall. Moiwa800m: WNW12m/s, -9℃, 30cm snowfall, 60cm snowdrifts and 200cm snowpack depth. Annupuri1150m: -17℃, W25m/s. Hirafu1150m: -13℃, WSW20m/s, large development of snowdrifts. Kamui cape lighthouse: WSW20m/s, 1013hPa, 3.7m waves. Benkei cape lighthouse: NW23m/s.
Isobars are tight, wind is strong and snowdrifts are drastically developing in all altitude. Observations and pressure test results show that 60cm thick surface slab avalanches are highly expected to occur in leeward cornices and knoll slopes above 800m elevation. Snowdrifts are heavy and dense and are extremely unstable and likely to collapse in large slabs. The avalanche risk is extreme. Peak gates will be closed for the sake of all users.
A visitor in Moiwa tried to step out of bounds from closed gate 6 yesterday, got stopped by a ski patrol and started to rant at him. Apparently said something like "Childish Moiwa" - we are awe-stuck by how embarrassing, selfish and childish this person can be. We would like to remind that the Niseko community is trying the best to respect everyone’s (including this fool’s) freedom to ride, but at the same time trying the best to keep everyone (including this fool) safe. People who cannot cope with the Rules will be refused to use the resort premises, and the Rules apply to all nationalities and experience level. Please read the Niseko Rules carefully.
The snow in the trees is a bit heavy but in good shape.
---
Resort specific opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
The top Ace Number 3, King Number 3, Ace Number 4 and King Number 4 lifts are on hold at the start of the day.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
The top Hanazono Number 3 lift is on hold at the start of the day.
Niseko Village
The Niseko Gondola and top Wonderland Chair lift are on hold at the start of the day.
Niseko Annupuri
Annupuri is all closed at the start of the day. They will try to open if any when the conditions improve.
---
Official resort snow depths as of Saturday 28th January 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 310cm
Base - 130cm
Niseko Village
Top - 230cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 250cm
Base - 135cm
---
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 Saturday 28th January 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 429cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 53 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 181cm reported on 22 days January 2017 snowfall 138cm reported on 17 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.