Niseko Now: Friday 2nd January 2015
- Jan 2, 2015
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 25cm
Snowfall at base this season 589cm
Posted on Friday 2nd January 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Morning from Niseko and I have another 25cm of snow to report for you. Just been and moved it out from the front of my place. Always a pleasure! Take a look at the Avalanche report too - Moiwa 30cm; Annupuri 50cm; Hirafu 30cm.
So yes, tracks will have been filled in nicely and reset... and it's time to get out once again.
Lots of cloud around still but there's also some sky on show again and as I type this the sun is putting in an appearance too.
The forecast though is for snowfall at times through today and tomorrow.
Generally clearer conditions are expected on Monday, along with 'not as cold' temperatures, followed by the next delivery of snow to come starting later on Tuesday.
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Resort specific news at time of writing - subject to change during the day
Niseko Grand Hirafu:
Looks set to be open as planned.
Niseko Hanazono:
Looks set to be open as planned.
Niseko Village:
Looks set to be open as planned.
Niseko Annupuri:
Looks set to be open as planned. 'Annupuri First Run' is available from until Sunday and then also on the 11th and 12th January. For 1000 yen, you can get to ride the Gondola from 7:20-8:20am.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base: -6C, 20cm snowfall in 12 hours. Moiwa 800m: -9C, 30cm snowfall and moderate development of snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m:W10m/s, -12C, 50cm snowfall with snowdrifts development. Hirafu 1000m: -13C, 30cm snowfall and heavy development of snowdrifts in 1200m NE area. Coastal data: Benkei cape NW12m/s, Kamui cape NW8m/s, 1004hPa, 1.8m waves.
Typical winter weather pattern is generating a moderate snowfall above 800m treeline and snowdrifts are slowly developing. Wide 40cm surface slab avalanches are likely to occur in 40°open slopes above 1000m altitude. Gates 2 & 3 are scheduled to open from today but the time yet to be determined. Please follow the ski patrol’s instructions. Moderate to high avalanche hazards in Kozan no Sawa sidewalls (Backbowl), Higashi-One cornice slope and Osawa cornice slopes. These faces should be left untouched until the weather settles down and the snowpack stabilizes.
The snow in the trees has been reset and in excellent condition. Cutting across knolls and/or traversing underneath cornices is total foolishness. Avalanches strikes from above; stay away from gullies and bottom of valleys. It is strongly recommended to carry an avalanche beacon. They are not the ultimate solution, but may save your life.
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Official snow depth numbers and any notes at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 310cm
Base - 180cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 220cm
Base - 150cm
Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 210cm
Base - 150cm
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Friday 2nd January 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 589cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 32 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th and 26th December) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 519cm reported on 25 days January 2015 snowfall 40cm reported on 2 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.