Niseko Now: Tuesday 29th January 2019
- Jan 29, 2019
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 691cm
Posted on Tuesday 29th January 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
There is a modest amount of fresh snow on the ground this morning. Ever so slightly over 10cm in total since my report yesterday morning, about half of that coming overnight.
It is windy too this morning. (Arashi!) Said pesky wind is most surely going to be messing about with normal lift operations.
And indeed, lots of lifts are on hold at the start of the day including all the top lifts - individual resort info updated below.
Very limited visibility too.
Hopefully the situation might improve later on in the day and tomorrow should also be calmer.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Mountain Base 6.00am: -3°, 10cm new low pressure snow in last 24hrs, 15cm wind snow in the last 6hrs, blizzard. Moiwa 800m: -5.5°, NW8.7m/s, cornice and snowdrift development from midnight. Mikaeri Weather Station: -6°, snow depth 250cm, snowdrift development from midnight. Annupuri 1000m: -6°, heavy snow and NW wind from 6am. Hirafu Peak: -8°. Kutchan Weather Station: -2.3°, snow depth 152cm increased from144cm. Suttsu Weather Station: +1°, NNW19.9m/s(4am). Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NE16m/s. Kamui Cape: ENE5m/s, pressure 1008hPa,wave 2.5m.
Yesterday's low pressure snow fall combined with a northerly wind snow from midnight has caused unstable snowdrift development on leeward slopes. Below 800m on steep slopes where wind effect has been less, up to 30cm shallow avalanches will easily occur sliding on the low pressure snow layer. Around 1000m rapid snowdrift development on knolls and cornice slopes makes 50cm surface avalanches possible, predicted to fracture on Jan 28 low pressure layer. Be careful, a collapsing cornice can easily trigger an avalanche below. Avalanche risk is high this morning. Do not cut Osawa cornice face to enter Back bowl. And as always never enter Haru no Taki.
Gate openings are dependant on lift operations and yet to be decided. Please follow the patrol's decisions. Snow in the trees is OK. Above 800m avalanche risk will continue into the afternoon. Have a good day. Accidents can be avoided with caution.
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Ski resort operation information: Tuesday 29th January 2019
Subject to change due to weather conditions
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 310cm
- Base: 125cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Just the Ace Family Quad, Ace Number 1 pair, Ace Number 2 quad, Holiday Number 1 pair and King Number 1 pair lifts moving at the start of the day
- The Ace Family quad (until 8:30pm), Ace Center 4 quad (8:20pm), Hirafu Gondola (until 8:10pm) and Holiday Number 1 pair (until 8:30pm) lifts are normally open during the evening
- The Center Four lift will be open from 8:00am until 8:20am until 31st January 2019 (500 yen charge required).
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 220cm
- Base: 180cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Top Hanazono lift on hold at the start of the day due to weather conditions
- The Hanazono lifts are normally open until 3:50pm (Number 3 until 3:30pm)
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 290cm
- Base: 150cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola, Jumbo Number 3 and 4 pairs on hold at the start of the day
- The Jumbo 1 lift is normally open until 8:30pm during the evening
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 290cm
- Base: 150cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola, Wonderland Chair on hold at the start of the day
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are normally open until 8:00pm during the evening
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Tuesday 29th January 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 691cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 58 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 274cm reported on 24 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.