Niseko Now: Sunday 3rd December 2017
- Dec 3, 2017
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 16cm
Snowfall at base this season 232cm
Posted on Sunday 3rd December 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
It's still snowing! This morning I have another 16cm to add to the tally. It doesn't feel as cold this morning and a quick look at the thermometer (and forecast) shows that to be the case. (Still, don't worry, it's certainly not warm!)
Perhaps there might be a break from snowfall tomorrow - maybe some sunshine? - before a return to it during the week.
I think it's fair to say that the people who were able to be out skiing or snowboarding here enjoyed themselves yesterday. There are more people turning up now but it's still not peak season busy of course. I myself spent about four hours on the mountain; the time whizzed by, I really didn't want to finish up.
All four of the resorts are open offering a lot of terrain and importantly... there are excellent snow conditions. What a wonderful start we are being treated to. :)
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -5°, 10cm new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m WSW 8m/s, -10°, 20cm new snow, snowdrift slowly growing. Annupuri 1000m snowpack 135cm, cornice and snowdrift development. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:SSE3m/s. Kamui Cape WSW6m/s.
Overnight 15-20cm of snow fell blanketing mountain. Around 3am a high pressure system moved bringing light winds. Around 800m leeward slopes on the west side have 60cm of new snow drift on top of the Nov 29th layer, from the past 3 days of light winds. According to tests there is no obvious weak layer and pack seems stable. Warm weather is expected with next low pressure system and 3rd Dec layer will become notable in future snow pack.
Snow is not too light or too heavy, it is good. Bamboo and bushes are not buried yet, so take care riding off the runs. With the low light it is hard to see the contours of the snow. Its a bit early to ride out of the ski areas yet. Avoid having an accident, please respect Niseko Rules.
The 21st Annual Niseko Avalanche meeting will be held at 6pm on the 5th Dec at Old Stone Warehouse in front of Niseko Station. Yamaguchi san of the NIED will be speaking. I recommend your attendance.
The first aid and avalanche course by the Japanese Mountaineering Doctor Oshiro, sponsored by Japan Climbing Medicine World, finishes today. Beware of changes in weather and snow quality. Have a good day.
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Sunday 3rd December 2017
What's planned to be open today in Niseko (subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Lifts operating:
- Ace Number 3 Pair lift
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift
- Ace Family quad lift
- King Number 3 quad lift
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair lift
- Swinging Monkey
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad lift
- Hanazono Number 2 quad lift
- Hanazono Number 3 quad lift
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift
- Jumbo Number 2 pair lift
- Dream Number 1 quad lift
Niseko Village
Lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola
- Banzai Chair
- Community Chair
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Official resort snow depths on Sunday 3rd December 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 200cm
Base - 80cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Top - 130cm
Base - 60cm
Niseko Village
Top - 135cm
Base - 70cm
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Floodlit 'nighta' skiing schedule:
Saturday 9th December 2017 until Sunday 18th March 2018
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Sunday 3rd December 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 232cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 14 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 29cm (20th November) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 44cm reported on 3 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.