Niseko Now: Wednesday 2nd January 2019
- Jan 2, 2019
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 15cm
Snowfall at base this season 442cm
Posted on Wednesday 2nd January 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
And for my morning fresh snowfall headline for today: 15cm
I always feel that we need to try to remember to not get too complacent about the consistent snowfall that we are enjoying. Truly appreciate it and make the most of it. I will try to live by that.
Snow is falling this morning still and visibility limited but it is calm and so I expect all of the lifts to be open as normal at the start of the day.
"Many people stepped out the gates yesterday" -- yes, many. Lots of people keen to get out and enjoy the areas beyond the ski resort. As the report below says, you need to be properly prepared and equipped and such adventures should not taken too lightly. Take care out there, and always respect the local rules and guidelines.
And is that some sunshine on the forecast for tomorrow? I think it might be. (Followed by more snow, of course).
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I'm almost done with my look back at the month of December 2018 and the season so far here in Niseko. That will appear in my report tomorrow. I'll try not to waffle on too much.
(Mmmm... waffles...)
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -5℃, 10cm snowfall in 24hours, calm. Moiwa800m: -8.8℃, WSW6.2m/s, 15cm in 24hours and snowing, cornices and snowdrifts developing slowly. Mikaeri Junction snow depth 220cm and snowdrifts developing. Annupuri1120m snow depth 180cm. Hirafu peak: -12℃, snowdrifts slowly developing. Niseko Village Mizuno no Sawa: -9.76℃, WSW2m/s, 12cm snowfall in 24hours, 125cm snow depth. Kutchan town snow depth 130cm, -4.9℃. Coastal data Benkei cape: NW14m/s, Kamui cape: WSW12m/s, 1071hPa, 1.6m waves.
The isobars are spread out and the weather is calm. There are no notable development of cornices and snowdrifts and the general avalanche risk is low. The cornices are however still likely to slide in 30cm layers. Do not underestimate the hazards. Cornices can easily collapse anytime. A thin surface slab slide is also to be expected in steep slopes. Traversing across the slope is never a good idea, as it could potentially trigger a deeper layer to slide or a cornice to fall. Ride one by one and point your tips down the fall line. Stay away from valley bottoms.
Many people stepped out the gates yesterday. Please be aware that outside the gates is not the ski resort anymore, and everybody should be equipped and prepared for the backcountry. Ducking ropes is prohibited. Following unknown tracks can leave you astray. Always be conscious of where you’re going. There are no buses coming back from Goshiki. Many hazards are present in the backcountry. Please ask the ski patrol’s advice and enjoy your day.
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Ski resort operation information: Wednesday 2nd January 2019
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report. Subject to change!
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 275cm
- Base: 130cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart are normally operating
- 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 early between 7th-31st January 2019 (more details soon - when I can find them!)
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 190cm
- Base: 151cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All Hanazono lifts are normally operating
- The Hanazono lifts are normally open until 3:30pm
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono Courses:
- All official courses are now available
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 225cm
- Base: 120cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All Annupuri lifts are normally operating
- The Jumbo 1 lift is normally open until 8:30pm during the evening
- Annupuri First run from 7:20am until 8:20am on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 12th, 13th, 14th January. (1,500 yen charge)
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 230cm
- Base: 120cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart from the Country Road Chair are normally operating
- 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 Wednesday 2nd January 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 442cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 36 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 25cm 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.