Niseko Now: Saturday 2nd March 2024
- Mar 2, 2024
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 14cm
Snowfall at base this season 823cm
Posted on Saturday 2nd March 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Well, the snow did arrive and this morning I have just measured 14cm of it. Ski areas reporting up to 20cm and the Avalanche Report mentions 30cm.
Very nice.
Unfortunately, strong winds are causing issues, with only lower to mid lifts open at the start of the day. All top lifts and a bunch more (including all lifts at the Hanazono area) are closed.
After what I said yesterday, it seems like quite a few places have had some good snowfall.
Of course, that is great to hear and may it continue!
Nature, hey?!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 7am: -10°, 30cm new snow, snowdrift development. Moiwa 800m: -12.9°, WNW9.3m/s , blizzard, poor visibility, cornice and snowdrift development. Mikaeri 764m: -12°, W8.9m/s, blizzard. Annupuri 1100m: -16.3°, W12.8m/s, strong winds, cornice and snowdrift development. Village 1000: -14.8°, WSW12.2m/s. Hanazono 1000m: -15.7°, NNW6.4m/s. Hanazono 3 : -13.1°, NNE4.4m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW22m/s. Kamui Cape SW23m/s, 998hPa, wave 2.2m.
A winter-like atmospheric pressure pattern is strengthening with blizzard conditions from the base to the peak of the mountain. The snowdrifts can exceed 50 cm at lower elevations and above 700m expect to see depths 150-200 cm. Above 1000m westerly gusts are running 25-30 m/s with continued snowdrift development. The avalanche risk today is VERY HIGH. Even if the lifts run, do not duck ropes to enter the valleys. Main gates will be closed. Please follow patrol instructions. The avalanche risk on surrounding mountains are similarly very high. The snow in the trees is good, however, be careful on steep slopes. Do wait under gully side walls or at the bottom of valleys. This are where the avalanche will run. If you're not there, you won't have an accident. Again, do not duck ropes. If a brave beginner follows someone's tracks under a rope on a day like this, it could easily lead to an accident. Please take care of yourself.
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Saturday 2nd March 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 823cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 80 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 62cm (8th January) November 2023 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 days December 2023 snowfall 247cm reported on 24 days January 2024 snowfall 298cm reported on 24 days February 2024 snowfall 144cm reported on 20 days March 2024 snowfall 14cm reported on 1 day |
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.