Niseko Now: Tuesday 31st January 2017
- Jan 31, 2017
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 14cm
Snowfall at base this season 443cm
Posted on Tuesday 31st January 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It's the last morning of the month and I am very pleased to be able to report 14cm of fresh snowfall on the ground here at base. And it's good quality stuff too by the looks. Nice.
It is still snowing now, though expected to ease off this morning... before coming back later tomorrow.
Wind doesn't look like it is going to be an issue today so I expect the lifts to be open as planned.
In my report tomorrow I'll be looking back on January and the season so far. In the meantime... I'm off to Otaru for the day!
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: 20cm snowfall. Moiwa800m: -8.5℃, NE5m/s, 25cm snowfall. Annupuri1150m: -13℃, NW12m/s, 30-40cm, moderate development of snowdrifts. Hirafu1250m: -13℃, moderate NE wind, 20cm snowfall. Kamui cape lighthouse: NNW12m/s, 1014hPa, 2.5m waves.
The winter weather pattern brought a good amount of snowfall, averaging 25cm at west areas of 800m elevation. Snowdrifts are developing, but in slow speed. Looking at the snowfall transition, and snow observations, the general avalanche risk is low, however 40cm surface slab avalanches from Jan 29th layer are to be expected in Higashi=one steep slopes where slabs have formed under the past north-easterly wind. Caution in needed in open steep, cornices and knoll terrains. Better not party-run, go one by one and ride the fall-line, not across it. The new snow is a bit shallow, but good. Beware of losing control. Do not stay at valley bottoms.
Gates are scheduled to open. Listen to the ski patrol’s advice and please respect the Niseko Rules.
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Official resort snow depths as of Tuesday 31st January 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 300cm
Base - 130cm
Niseko Village
Top - 230cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 275cm
Base - 135cm
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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 Tuesday 31st January 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 443cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 54 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 181cm reported on 22 days January 2017 snowfall 152cm reported on 18 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.