Niseko Now: Thursday 28th March 2019
- Mar 28, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 5, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 943cm
Posted on Thursday 28th March 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko... and I have some more snow to report. 3cm of it down by base along with some pleasingly cold conditions.
Right now there is a lot of cloud but there are some patches of blue sky around as well. The next few days should be bringing us mostly a mix of cloud and sun with perhaps the chance of some more light sprinklings of snow at times.
Wind might well be an issue again this morning so if you are planning on being out today do keep an eye on that info.
Updated: top lifts are on hold again.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Mountain base 6am: -4℃, 2cm snowfall. Moiwa800m: -7.7℃, NNW7.25m/s, cornice and snowdrift developments. Annupuri 1100m: -10.8℃, W7.6m/s, 250cm snow depth. Hirafu 1000m: -10.3℃, NNW7.1m/s, Hirafu peak cat: -10℃, strong wind and slight snowfall. Kutchan weather station: -3.6℃, S0.7m/s, 87cm snow depth. Benkei cape: NNW14m/s, Kamui cape: WNW8m/s, 1005hPa, 1.4m waves.
Steep atmospheric pressure gradient generating strong westerly wind on the ocean and mountains. Snowfall is scarce but snowdrifts are present in some places. Surface slab avalanche risk is relatively low. The snow above 800m elevation is good due to low temperature, however will turn sticky as the temperature rises and the crystals starts to melt.
The snowdrifts depth under the ridgeline is shallower than regular years and the glide avalanche hazard level is a little lower than usual, however a shallow glide avalanche is still powerful enough to easily kill a person. Stay away from the valley bottoms in order to avoid those slides.
Spring storms make drastic snowdrifts development and can be the cause of avalanche accidents. A slide occurred in Nakasatunai, Hidaka range in March 14th 1965 and killed 6 people who were resting in a snow cave at the bottom of the valley.
Always remember that many of the avalanche accidents occur during or just after storms, no matter the season. The mountain base is shifting to Spring, but Winter persists in high elevation. Have a great day.
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Ski resort operation information: Thursday 28th March 2019
Subject to change due to weather conditions
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Plans to be open until Monday 6th May 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 330cm
- Base: 100cm
Ski lifts operation news:
- Top lifts affected by wind
- Ace Number 1 pair, King Number 4 and Ace Number 4 pair lift closed
- Plans to be open until Monday 6th May
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Plans to be open until Sunday 7th April 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 235cm
- Base: 147cm
Ski lifts operation news:
- Top lift affected by wind
- Plans to be open until Sunday 7th April
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Niseko Annupuri
Plans to be open until Monday 6th May 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 260cm
- Base: 90cm
Ski lifts operation news:
- Gondola, Jumbo Number 2, 3 and 4 pair lifts closed
- Plans to be open until Monday 6th May
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Niseko Village
Plans to be open until Sunday 7th April 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 260cm
- Base: 90cm
Ski lifts operation news:
- Community Chair and Wonderland lifts closed
- Plans to be open until Sunday 7th April
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Thursday 28th March 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 943cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 90 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (29th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 333cm reported on 26 days January 2019 snowfall 285cm reported on 25 days February 2019 snowfall 198cm reported on 20 days March 2019 snowfall 43cm reported on 11 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.