Niseko Now: Saturday 2nd January 2016
- Jan 2, 2016
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 7cm
Snowfall at base this season 313cm
Posted on Saturday 2nd January 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Hello and a very good morning to you from Hirafu base.
We had light snowfall during the day yesterday, though it didn't amount to much, and some more snow overnight - bringing us a total of 7cm of fresh according to my highly technical and complex measuring system (*a ruler). I actually ordered 20cm of snowfall every night, so I don't know what could have happened to the rest of the delivery. I'll lodge a complaint!
Niseko has in recent years become extremely popular... in large part of course due to the quality snow conditions that can often be enjoyed here. With popularity and reputation comes more and more people - and the need for regular fresh snow to refil tracks. It's like a hunger that never goes away. Luckily we often get that, though obviously not always. If you want empty slopes, Niseko perhaps isn't for you.
It is continuing to snow this morning - lightly as I write this - and I think there's a decent chance I'll be able to bring you bigger numbers tomorrow. It's not as cold this morning and temperatures may even rise into low positive numbers today. I see that many regions of Japan are going to be warming up over the next few days but here fingers crossed it will remain quite low and quickly get back down below zero.
While it doesn't feel particularly windy down here, it seems that some gusty winds higher up on the mountain are affecting top lifts at the time of writing - details added below.
The forecast remains good for snow every day in the coming week. Bring on those refils!
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Resort specific news/notes at time of writing (subject to change during the day)
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Top King Number 3 and Ace Number 4 lifts on hold early on due to wind conditions.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Hanazono Number 1 lift running slow early on.
Niseko Village
Top Wonderland Chair lift on hold early on due to wind conditions.
Niseko Annupuri
Top Jumbo 4 lift on hold early on due to wind conditions.
12 of 13 courses now open.
Early gondola from 7:20am-8:20am on 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th. Charge 1000 yen.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -2℃, light breeze and 5cm of low-pressure system generated snowfall. Moiwa 800m: -2℃, light breeze and 5cm snowfall. Annupuri 1150m: -4℃, NW12m/s, light snowfall. Coastal data: Benkei cape NWN8m/s, Kamui cape WSW11m/s, 1011hPa, 1.3m waves.
A passing pressure trough is generating snowfall since pre-dawn and shallow surface slab slides will be likely to occur as the snowpack grows in south facing steep slopes, triggered from Jan 1st surface layer. Today’s snowfall will remain as a notable layer in future snowpack.
Looking at the snowfall transition and observations, the snowdrifts development is minimal and the general avalanche risk remains low. The slopes have been moderately reset and are in decent condition. The visibility is bad due to the fog generated by the air mass displacement. Be conservative and ride safe. Prudence is key to prevent accidents. Gates 4, 5, 6 and 10 are scheduled to open. Please follow the patrol’s instructions and refrain from ducking ropes.
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Official resort snow depths as of Saturday 2nd January 2016:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 255cm
Base - 110cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 185cm
Base - 100cm
Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 130cm
Base - 100cm
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Lifts planned to be open for night skiing:
Niseko Grand Hirafu:
Ace Family Pair lift, Ace Number 2 Center Four lift, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 Pair lift
(There is no night skiing at the Hanazono area)
Niseko Village:
Community Chair and Banzai Chair
Niseko Annupuri:
Jumbo Number 1 Quad
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Saturday 2nd January 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 313cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 23 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (26th and 28th December) November 2015 snowfall 61cm reported on 4 days December 2015 snowfall 244cm reported on 17 days January 2016 snowfall 8cm 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.