Niseko Now: Tuesday 3rd February 2015
- Feb 3, 2015
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 15cm
Snowfall at base this season 846cm
Posted on Tuesday 3rd February 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Morning from my base here in Hirafu, it's another cold and windy one but importantly there's another 15cm of fresh snow on the ground to report this morning... and I would imagine more being added to that quite quickly as well this morning if it carries on like it is now.
The pesky winds are messing with us once again unfortunately with lift disruption at the beginning of the day including all three gondolas.
Hopefully it will improve this morning and the forecast does seem to point to a decent chance of that happening along with a break in the snowfall and maybe even a bit of blue sky appearing.
Calmer and clearer skies expected tomorrow as well.
Next decent snow up after that at the end of the week into the weekend.
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Resort specific news as of 8:30am - subject to change during the day
Niseko Grand Hirafu:
The Gondola, King Number 3, King Number 4, Ace Number 4 and Swingling Monkey lifts on hold due to wind situation.
Niseko Hanazono:
Top Hanazono Number 3 lift on hold due to wind situation.
Niseko Village:
Niseko Gondola and top Wonderland Chair lift on hold due to wind.
'Early Morning Gondola' on Saturday (7th) and Sunday (8th) for 1300 yen, Gondola open from 7:30am until 8:30am.
Niseko Annupuri:
Annupuri Gondola and Top Jumbo Number 4 lift on hold due to wind.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -6C, 15cm crystal snowfall in 12 hours, Moiwa 800m: N12m/s, -10C, 20cm snowfall with 60cm snowdrifts, poor visibility. Annupuri 1150m: N15-20m/s, 20cm snowfall with large development of snowdrifts. Hirafu 1000m: NE15m/s, -11C, 15cm snowfall with snowdrifts development. Annupuri peak N18.5m/s, -13.5C. Coastal data: Benkei cape ENE12m/s, Kamui cape ESE4m/s, 1022hPa, 2.6m waves.
The isobars are spacing out, however the northerly wind remains high above 1000m altitude and snow deposit is larger in the western areas. 60cm softslabs has developed in leeward 800-1000m slopes and are likely to collapse with light stimulation. Snow has been blown away in Higashi-One area and wind-ripples are forming, making it difficult to ride. The avalanche risk is high in 1000m cornice slopes and knolls. Slides would be triggered by failure of weak lines within the Feb 2nd layer. Caution is required even in slopes with thin deposit; surface slab avalanches can occur regardless the amount of snow on top. Peak gates (2 & 3) will be kept closed, others to be determined. Please follow the ski patrol’s instructions. One track left under the rope would lead many others to do the same and increase the chances of accidents to happen. Please respect the Niseko Rules. Beware of falling into cracks forming in various areas. Cracks are difficult to see from above. The snow in the trees is in excellent condition. Have you switched your beacon on? It is not mandatory to carry one, however is strongly recommended.
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Official resort snow depths:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 370cm
Base - 125cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 280cm
Base - 180cm
Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 280cm
Base - 170cm
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Tuesday 3rd February 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 846cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 56 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 February 2015 snowfall 40cm 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.