Niseko Now: Wednesday 28th November 2012
- Nov 28, 2012
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 15, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 20cm
Snowfall at base this season 102cm
Weather overview Blue skies, some cloud
Wind
OK
Temperature -3C base / -8C top
Visibility Very good
Posted at 9:36am on Wednesday 28th November 2012 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here.
Well, yesterday sure was a wild ride and from what I hear in many parts of Hokkaido as well not just around these parts.
Some pretty crazy winds blowing things around and it was just... fun - fun, that is, to think about what lays ahead once things calm down, more than actually out wanting to be out on the slopes! Not that the lifts were actually moving once the storm set in. Truly wild blizzard conditions at times with close to no visibility.
The winds calmed down somewhat by evening, when lots of people could be seen with the snow shovels moving snow about around the village.
It's hard to put a number on the snowfall because the wind was blowing it all around, but outside my place there was more than 20cm. This morning the official snow depth numbers at Niseko Grand Hirafu resort are 160cm up top and 75cm at base - so that is an increase of 20cm and 5cm respectively since yesterday. I think this morning if you asked 5 different people about how much snow there was, you would get 5 different numbers - it's one of those days. But what's important is that we got some good snowfall yesterday.
OK so on to today. It's still very cold. When I got up earlier it was -4 degrees out there and it's not risen much since then. The storm has moved on though and gradually we are seeing more and more blue skies open up. The sun is out and casting shadows and everywhere is looking great. Snow conditions out on the mountain today should be very good.
This morning Niseko Grand Hirafu is back to what it was before the storm - the Ace Number 2 Quad (Center Four) and the Ace Number 3 Pair lifts, with the Shirakaba Course, Furiko Course and Center Course areas now open. The Annupuri Gondola and Jumbo Number 3 Pair lifts are Niseko Annupuri are also operating this morning. We can surely expect more to be opening soon.
Don't expect the sun to last - we should be back to snow by tonight. Some forecasts even show rain lower down, fingers crossed that doesn't happen. I'll let you know tomorrow morning.
Niseko Now 2012-2013 season |
Data as of Wednesday 28th November 2012 Total snowfall at base so far 102cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 9 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 20cm (19th, 21st, 28th November) November 2012 snowfall 102cm |
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.