Niseko Now: Friday 3rd January 2020
- Jan 3, 2020
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 5cm
Snowfall at base this season 338cm
Posted on Friday 3rd January 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning all and apologies for my late appearance this morning. It would be cool if I could give you some gnarly reason for the delay, but the fact is... I overslept! Doh.
A modest 5cm of snowfall to add this morning after that bigger number yesterday. No doubt some of you reading this enjoyed that fresh snow yesterday. I know I did.
This morning snow has been falling; it's just light in places and just cloudy in others. As I am about to put this report live, it looks like there might be a few breaks in the clouds appearing...
Lifts have started the day on time, though at the start the Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri gondolas are operating at reduced speed due to the wind conditions.
Forecasts seem to be showing occasional light-moderate snow over the next few days with clearer skies likely early next week.
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Annupuri had to cancel their early first tracks gondola service again this morning due to strong winds. (Did they get to do it on any of the scheduled days over New Year? Hopefully they'll be luckier with the weather when they do it again on 11th-13th of this month).
The Avalanche Report is talking about the chance of the Moiwa gate opening today but without any definitive confirmation. As of 8:45am I haven't heard any additional information on that.
There is still no news on the main top lifts at Hirafu, Village and Annupuri opening just yet. I will of course bring you that news just as soon as I have it.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base 6am: -7℃, light dusts in 12h. Moiwa800m: 327°8.8m/s, -8.7℃. Hirafu 1000m: 99°3.9m/s, -11.9℃. Hanazono 720m: 2°6.1m/s, -8.9℃. Sea of Japan Benkei cape: NW15m/s, Kamui cape: WSW12m/s, 1017hPa, 2.0m waves. Annupuri 1000m snow depth 120cm.
The atmospheric pressure gradient is flattening and the snowdrifts developments are settling down. The newly formed snowdrifts seems stable at Moiwa800m and the avalanche risk in 30°slopes or less is low. The wind-exposed slopes above 750m have formed wind-crusts and the surface is uneven. The snowpack under 800m has stabilized, however possibilities of 80cm thick surface slab avalanches remains relatively high in steep slopes above 800m in Iwaonupuri and Higashione where the temperature remained low.
The Sasa bamboo seems mostly buried, however the snowpack is still thin. Beware of falling into creeks under 500m elevation. The water is ice-cold. Route-finding is critical in the backcountry. Moiwa gate 6 is scheduled to open today, however not definite as of this morning. We strongly recommended to wear a helmet, carry a beacon, shovel and probe and know how to use them. Please be safe.
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Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 210cm
- Base: 70cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT the following:
- Ace Number 4
- King Number 4
All courses normally open EXCEPT the following:
- Onsenzawa
- Large
- Miharashi
- Dynamic
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 130cm
- Base: 75cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 120cm
- Base: 80cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad (until 8:30pm)
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 120cm
- Base: 80cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola
- Upper Village Gondola (until 8:00pm)
- Village Express (until 8:00pm)
- Community Chair
- Banzai Chair (until 8:00pm)
- Morino Chair
- Country Road
Niseko Now 2019-2020 season |
Data as of Friday 3rd January 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 338cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 34 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 26cm (2nd January) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 207cm reported on 21 days January 2020 snowfall 46cm 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.