Niseko Now: Thursday 29th December 2016
- Dec 29, 2016
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 272cm
Posted on Thursday 29th December 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just three more days left in 2016; the mind boggles at how fast things whizz by. (And how you actually spell 'whizz'!)
But anyway what do we have to report this morning.
Well, there's a bit of snowfall again but nothing major. Just about 3cm on the ground this morning and snow is currently falling. It is a cold morning and keeping down at -4C at 8am. Visibility looks pretty low out on the mountain too at the start of the day.
Snowfall is still lined up on the forecast over the next few days, but we should be hoping for more significant amounts.
From this morning the top Ace Number 4 lift at Niseko Grand Hirafu is opening, as well as the King Number 2 quad - which means that all of the lifts and courses at that resort are now operating/open. All the lifts at Niseko Annupuri are now operating of course and at Niseko Village all of the lifts (apart from the Country Road lift) are open. At last! (By the way, I'll write more about that Country Road lift in another report).
Next up, all the gates. As mentioned below it seems that the Moiwa Gate 6 is going to be opening from tomorrow.
Have a fun day, and see you tomorrow.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -5℃, 5cm snowfall, calm. Moiwa peak: -8℃, SW5m/s, 10cm new snow with no snowdrift development. Hirafu peak ridge: light wind, -10℃, 10cm new snow. Annupuri 1150m: -8℃, W10m/s, light development of snowdrifts, good groomers condition. Coastal data: Kamui cape WSW7m/s, 1010hPa, 1.9m waves.
The general avalanche risk low. Snow and wind is forecasted to pick up as a cold front moves across around noon. Moiwa gate 6 is scheduled to open tomorrow after the beacon checker is set. Avalanche beacons or helmets are not mandatory equipment however is strongly recommended to wear.
The Japanese Park Law advocates the protection of the environment as well as the adequate use of it. The Niseko Rules acts as a safety guideline implemented by the local community and is the foundation for the local and federal government to tolerate the situation.
Anyone has the right to freely climb and glide down a mountain in Japan.
The Rules are here to protect the freedom and the safety of out of bounds riding.
Please respect the Niseko Rules and let others now about it too.
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Resort specific opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Niseko Village
Niseko Annupuri
All lifts appear to be operating as planned.
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Official resort snow depths as of Thursday 29th December 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 230cm
Base - 85cm
Niseko Village
Top - 130cm
Base - 100cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 130cm
Base - 90cm
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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 Thursday 29th December 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 272cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 34 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 162cm reported on 20 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.