Niseko Now: Friday 30th December 2016
- Dec 30, 2016
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 14cm
Snowfall at base this season 286cm
Posted on Friday 30th December 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko on this next to last day of the year.
I have 14cm of fresh snow to report this morning here by my base in Hirafu. Nice and light and dry too, quality stuff. I am being told there's a good 20-25cm up top early on too. This morning should be very nice indeed.
It is a cold morning - currently -6C here at base - so I'm going to be sure to get wrapped up good before heading out. Light snow has been falling this morning but as I am about to post this report the snowfall has eased off and it is just generally cloudy but likely still snowing higher up.
The forecast seems to show that after today, things are going to be somewhat clearer and calm. We can perhaps expect some sunny skies tomorrow and conditions are probably not going to be quite as cold.
Wind isn't an issue this morning and resorts appear to be opening as planned, along with the Moiwa gate 6. The Avalanche Report (below) notes that the snowpack is 1m lower than average years and that the Annupuri and Hirafu gates will follow as soon as they're ready.
I'm off out there on my new skis! But just before that...
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Let's take another quick glance at my observed snowfall numbers for the month and season so far, up until and including today:
December 2016: 176cm (up until 30th December)
December 2015: 244cm (the full month)
December 2014: 519cm (the full month)
December 2013: 275cm (the full month)
Season total up until 30th December 2016: 288cm
Season total up until end of December 2015: 308cm
Season total up until end of December 2014: 549cm
Season total up until end of December 2013: 398cm
I'll let you compare with previous seasons.
For what they are worth, my own quick thoughts are - November was pretty good (and better than the previous two seasons), while December has been lagging a bit (rather a lot when you compare with 2014 and 2012). I'll take another look at some numbers once again once we get into January.
Big numbers are great of course. But the most important thing is surely regular, consistent and quality snowfall. And what's best is to have all of that lot! Here's to a bumper January when hopefully we'll 'catch up' on previous seasons.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -8℃, 5cm snowfall in 12 hours. Moiwa 850m: -10, 20cm snowfall with 50cm snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150: -16℃, W12m/s, snowing with average 20cm snowdrifts. Hirafu 1200m: -13℃, WNW10m/s, light snowfall. Coastal data: Kamui cape WNW7m/s, 1016hPa, 1.8m waves.
50cm thick layers would break but won’t propagate to wider areas during 800m Mikaeri ridge impact test. The slabs are stable and the general avalanche risk is low.
The Moiwa gate 6 will open today, Annupuri and Hirafu gates will follow as soon as they’re ready, however the snowpack is 1m lower than average years. Beware of bamboo grass.
The Niseko Rules admits anyone to the out of bounds area, no matter their experience or skillsets, however it is everybody responsibility to be aware of the hazards involved. Out of bounds area is out of the resort, safety is not guaranteed.
The ski patrols are getting their headlamps ready for night search and rescue operations. Please take the ski patrol’s advices seriously and step out from the designated gates.
Duck ropes and lift passes will be confiscated. Beware of sudden weather changes.
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Resort specific opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Niseko Village
Niseko Annupuri
All lifts appear to be operating as planned.
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Official resort snow depths as of Friday 30th December 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 250cm
Base - 100cm
Niseko Village
Top - 130cm
Base - 100cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 130cm
Base - 90cm
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Night skiing is planned until Monday 20th March 2017 at the Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village resort areas. There is no nighta in the Hanazono area.
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Friday 30th December 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 286cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 35 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 176cm reported on 21 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.