Niseko Now: Sunday 28th January 2018
- Jan 28, 2018
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 14cm
Snowfall at base this season 813cm
Posted on Sunday 28th January 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
How are you doing on this Sunday morning?
This morning I have 14cm of fresh snowfall to add to the reports so another fairly nice layer of good quality snow.
It is snowing as this report goes up and the forecast is looking good over the coming week for regular resets. Sounds good.
There's a bit more wind around than yesterday, and it seems some lifts are affected at the start of the day - see below for info at 8:30am. Doh.
I think that's about all I have for you today. Have a good one!
Oh yes, today was the last scheduled 'early morning' gondola service at Hirafu; so there's just one more weekend (next week) of early operations over at Niseko Village.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 5.00am: -7°, 10cm new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: -8°, W12.1m/s, 15cm new snow, cornice, snowdrift and ridge line skovla development. Annupuri 1150m: -16°, W10m/s, 20cm new snow, cornice and snowdrift development. Hirafu 1250m: -13°, W10m/s, 20cm new snow, cornice and snowdrift development. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NW14m/s. Kamui Cape: SW12m/s, 1012hPa, wave 1.9m.
The winter weather pattern remains unchanged with snow and a westerly wind under 15m/s continuing, cornice and snowdrifts are growing even more. Wind crust has formed on ridgelines above 800m. Around 1100m Kozan no Sawa sidewall, Osawa cornice face and far East Ridge area avalanche risk is still high, propagating from Jan 25th layer or deeper. Until the wind drops and slab development settles down it is best not to ride these areas. Traversing cornice slopes is dangerous.
Snow in the trees is reset and in good shape. All gates are expected to open. Please listen to the patrols advice. Prepare before going out of bounds. Beacon and helmets are recommended. Being aware can prevent many accidents. Have a good day.
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Sunday 28th January 2018
Resort specific information (operations subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts apart from King Number 2 should normally be operating
- Top Ace Number 4 and King Number 4 lifts are on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds
Official snow depth:
- Top: 430cm
- Base: 225cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts should normally be operating
- Top Jumbo Number 4 lift is on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds
Official snow depth:
- Top: 310cm
- Base: 200cm
Niseko Village
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts apart from the Country Road Chair lift should normally be operating
- Top Wonderland Chair lift is on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds
- 'Early Gondola' service from 7:30am until 8:30am (Niseko Gondola). On February 3rd-4th. 1,400 yen special ticket required.
Official snow depth:
- Top: 300cm
- Base: 180cm
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Sunday 28th January 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 813cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 61 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (21st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 406cm reported on 27 days January 2018 snowfall 219cm 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.