Niseko Now: Friday 30th January 2015
- Jan 30, 2015
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 806cm
Posted on Friday 30th January 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It's a cloudy morning here in Niseko, as the forecast told us to expect really. A small amount of snow during the day yesterday and there's a chance of light snow during the day today but it won't be anything major at all.
Limited visibility up on the mountain is preventing top lifts from opening first thing this morning, hopefully that situation might change during the morning with gates looking like they are expected to be open today.
That snowfall that we have all been eyeing up the last few days is still due to be with us from tomorrow. I so much want to get back to writing reports of large volumes of fresh snow. (Though I could do without strong winds!) Whatever, such conditions do seem likely over the weekend so be ready.
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Resort specific news as of 8:30am - subject to change during the day
Niseko Grand Hirafu:
Top King Number 4 and Ace Number 4 lifts on hold due to poor visibility.
'Early Morning' lift available daily until 1st February (for 500 yen, Ace Quad Number 2 lift from 8am until 8:20am).
Niseko Hanazono:
Looks set to open as planned this morning.
Niseko Village:
Top Wonderland lift on hold due to poor weather conditions.
'Early Morning Gondola' available Saturdays and Sundays until February 8th (for 1300 yen, Gondola open from 7:30am until 8:30am).
Niseko Annupuri:
Top Jumbo Number 4 lift on hold due to poor visibility.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -5C, 5cm new crystal snow in the last 12hrs, calm. Moiwa 800m: -7C, wind SW 5m/s, trace of new snow. Annupuri 1150m: -7C, wind SW8m/s, trace of new snow, poor visibility at times. Hirafu Peak Ridge light winds, -10C, trace of new snow, minor snowdrift development. Cape Benkei: SW5m/s, Cape Kamui: S6m/s, wave 0..8m, pressure 1020hPa.
The pressure gradient is low and the mountain conditions are calm. From observation 10cm of new light crystal snow above 600m, snow pack is stable and the general avalanche risk is low. Yesterdays tracks still remain but the snow is good. Peak gates are expected to be open. Please respect the patrols advice when using the gates. Always be aware and take care on open steep slopes and cornice slopes around 1000m. When you cause an avalanche people below will be in danger. There has been increase in lost people out of bounds. The gates are there for everyone to use, but if you blindly follow someone else's tracks you may not come back.
Niseko respects peoples right to ride out of bounds and also tries to maintain a certain level of safety, however the mountain has many dangers still. Take care , have a safe day.
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Official resort snow depths:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 370cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 280cm
Base - 180cm
Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 270cm
Base - 160cm
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Friday 30th January 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 806cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 53 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th and 26th December) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 519cm reported on 25 days January 2015 snowfall 257cm reported on 23 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.