Niseko Now: Wednesday 29th January 2014
- Jan 29, 2014
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 30, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 20cm
Snowfall at base this season 839cm
Posted on Wednesday 29th January 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Hirafu and I have another 20cm or so to report. It's a cold morning and my initial impression is that the snow is lighter than what we had yesterday morning.
It has been snowing lightly this morning though right at this moment has eased off. We might even get to see the sun according to the local forecast. Fresh snowfall and new layer of goodness aside, it's more about wind this morning though...
Strong westerly winds on the mountain are affecting morning lift operations from the get go. At Annupuri, the Jumbo Number 3 and 4 as well as the Annupuri Gondola are on hold. At Niseko Village the Gondola and top Wonderland chair are not moving and here in the Hirafu area the top King 3 and 4 and Ace Number 4 lifts are not moving as well as the top Hanazono lift.
Another mild spell due tomorrow but we should be back to cold come Friday.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -8C, 25cm crush snow crystals in the last 12hrs. Moiwa 800m: -14C, 30cm new snow, snow drift development. Annupuri 1150m: -16C, wind NW25m/s, major snowdrift development. Hirafu 1000m: poor visibility, snowdrift development. Annupuri peak 1308m: -18.5℃, wind NW24m/s. Cape Benkei: NW18m/s, Cape Kamui: NW13m/s, wave 3.1m, pressure 1015hPa.
Due to the current winter weather pattern there has been major development of unstable snowdrifts. The avalanche danger is very high today. Do not ride open steep slopes or cornice slopes today. Gate openings yet to be decided. Please respect the Patrols decisions. Do not traverse from Gate 8 across Osawa to ride under the cornice on the other side of the bowl. In February 1993, under similar conditions, Japan had its first snowboarder avalanche death on that slope at about elev 850m. The weather is expected to clear around noon, however snow stabilty will be delayed due to snowfall transition. The forest is reset but the snow will be a little slow. Beware hitting trees, getting stuck at the bottom. Note also it is hard to see cracks under knolls from above.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 400cm
Base - 190cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 335cm
Base - 225cm
Annupuri:
Top - 280cm
Base - 210cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Wednesday 29th January 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 839cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 58 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (14th January) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days December 2013 snowfall 275cm reported on 22 days January 2014 snowfall 441cm reported on 27 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.