Niseko Now: Wednesday 30th December 2015
- Dec 30, 2015
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 23cm
Snowfall at base this season 300cm
Posted on Wednesday 30th December 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It is one of those mornings when I would prefer to not have to turn on my computer and write a report before heading out to the slopes. You understand, right? But here I am, and actually I must say that I do enjoy telling everyone about what is happening here in Niseko. Especially on a day like today.
It is a lovely morning here.
Not only do we have another 'incredible' 23cm of fresh snowfall here at base, but right now there are lovely blue skies above us. It didn't start off like this with most clouds when I first looked out of the window, but they have cleared up pretty quick leaving us with what we have now.
It really doesn't get that much better than this - a good delivery of fresh snow followed by clear skies and sun early morning. Lovely.
"If only there were less people", I heard yesterday. Yes, there's a lot of people around. That's Niseko!
The forecast didn't actually tell us to expect these clearer skies really, so there's a chance that the clouds may come back just as quickly as they have cleared (though currently it seems unlikely).
Snow is expected through tomorrow and into New Year. And basically it's expected to be falling through into next week as well, so it would seem the New Year is going to start in style.
After the somewhat dodgy start to the season, things are now getting into top gear.
Niseko is bustling as well now. It's a good job that almost all of the mountain is now open.
There might well be a few people out enjoying some drinks over the next few nights as well. Just a word of caution on that - there have in the past been some very sad stories of people having accidents and worse after a night out. Remember, it is very cold and slippy out there. Make sure you have a plan to get back to your accommodation and best to stick with friends. A bit like what you'd recommend for going out on the mountain as well.
Have a great day and I'll see you on New Years Eve!
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -8℃, 20cm of crystal snow, calm and no snowdrift development. Moiwa 800m: -10℃, mild wind, 20cm of new snow, snowdrifts developing slowly. Annupuri 1000m: WSW8m/s, 20cm of new snow. 1150m: -15℃. Coastal data: Benkei cape NW8m/s, Kamui cape NNW5m/s, 1022hPa, 1.5m waves.
The isobars are spacing out and the weather is calming down in the mountains and the ocean. The snowdrifts have stabilized. The snowpack is growing, bushes filling in in higher areas, but still thick in lower elevation. Looking at the latest snowfall transition and observations, the general avalanche risk is relatively low except in south facing steep slopes. The out of bounds skiing in Niseko is still a tacit allowance by the government, yet to be officially approved, and anybody that is stepping out of bounds have to acknowledge that they are going out at their own risk.
The ski resorts are concerned about all users’ safety and deploying various efforts in order to improve the situation. The freedom to ride out of bounds is only protected by the Niseko Rules; disregarding them will only end up in restraining this freedom. We strongly demand everybody to respect the Rules.
Gates will open as they’re ready to. Gate 6 is scheduled to open at 10am. Please follow the patrol’s instructions.
The snow is good but easy to get stuck. Enjoy the pow and have a nice day.
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Planned resort operations (subject to change due to weather conditions during the day)
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Lifts planned to be running:
- All lifts except Ace Number 4 and King Number 2
- Night lifts: Ace Family Pair, Ace Number 2 Quad, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1
Courses planned to be open:
- All open apart from Onsenzawa, Large, Miharashi and 'Path to King'
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts planned to be running:
- All lifts
- No night skiing in the Hanazono area
Courses planned to be open:
- All courses
Niseko Village
Lifts planned to be operating:
- All lifts planned to be operating (apart from Country Road Chair)
- Night lifts: Community Chair, Banzai Chair
Courses planned to be open:
- All courses
Niseko Annupuri
Lifts planned to be operating:
- All lifts planned to be operating
- Night lift: Jumbo Number 1 quad
Courses planned to be open:
- Champion
- Utopia
- Shirakaba
- Paradise
- Junior
- Family
- Dynamic
- Silver
- Merchen
- Challenge
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Official resort snow depths as of Wednesday 30th December 2015:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 270cm
Base - 120cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 185cm
Base - 100cm
Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 120cm
Base - 100cm
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Wednesday 30th December 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 300cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 20 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (26th and 28th December) November 2015 snowfall 61cm reported on 4 days December 2015 snowfall 239cm reported on 16 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.