Niseko Now: Wednesday 31st December 2014
- Dec 31, 2014
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 40cm
Snowfall at base this season 549cm
Posted on Wednesday 31st December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Hello and good morning from Niseko on this New Years Eve morning.
I was very much hoping that I wouldn't have to report 'no new snowfall' again today, and I am very happy that I don't have to.
Yes, Niseko bounces back in style as it so often does - I have the best part of 40cm of fresh snow to report this morning. No doubt many of the folk here in Niseko will already be out lining up for the lifts!
It's suitably cold and the snow is suitably light and fluffy. Oh yes. What better way to slide out the year! It should be a good day.
So that's it for 2015. We have easily 'beaten' the Kutchan snowfall number for December 2013 - currently 373cm for the month compared with 258cm last year - and that number is actually more than we have had for quite a few years in the month of December. With some more snowfall due today and overnight there'll be some added on to that as well.
Let us hope that the rest of the season continues in a similar way.
New Years Day is forecast to be cold and snowy.
Enjoy the last day of the season and if you are in Niseko the events going on here. I will see you on the other side.
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Resort specific news at time of writing - subject to change during the day
Niseko Grand Hirafu:
Looks set to be open as planned, though King Number 3 lift running at reduced speed.
Niseko Hanazono:
Looks set to be open as planned, though top lift running at reduced speed.
Niseko Village:
Looks set to be open as planned.
Niseko Annupuri:
Looks set to be open as planned.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -5C, 30cm of snowfall in 12 hours. Moiwa 800m: NW10m/s, -7C, 40cm of fresh. Annupuri 1150m: W8m/s, -7C, 40cm snowfall. Hirafu 1000m:W5m/s, -7C, 45cm snowfall. Coastal data: Benkei cape NW11m/s, Kamui cape NW8m/s, 1004hPa, 0.9m waves.
Thick snowclouds flowed in early morning and generated heavy snowfall. The wind is relatively calm and there are no notable developments of snowdrifts. A distinct layer (Dec 28th) is present in the snowpack, but looking at the snowfall transition and other observations, the avalanche risk remains low.
All gates except no.2, 3 and 9 will open today. Listen to the ski patrols’ advice before stepping out of the gates. Always use gates and never duck ropes.
Visibility is bad, the surface is hard to read and the powder is deep. Carelessly following other people’s tracks could end up in unexpected results. Better stay close to the courses. Beware of falling head first and getting suffocated. There never is 100% safety in the mountains. Always think safety first.
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Official snow depth numbers and any notes at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 290cm
Base - 170cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 210cm
Base - 150cm
Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 200cm
Base - 150cm
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Lifts open for night skiing (planned):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Ace Family Pair lift, Ace Number 2 Center Four lift, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 Pair lift
(There is no night skiing at the Hanazono area)
Niseko Village
Community Chair and Banzai Chair
Niseko Annupuri
Jumbo Number 1 Quad
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Wednesday 31st December 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 549cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 30 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 |
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.