Niseko Now: Saturday 4th February 2017
- Feb 4, 2017
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 494cm
Posted on Saturday 4th February 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I had a very good day yesterday and during 'lift time' on my 4 hours worth of adventure I spoke to people from China, US, UK, Finland, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Thailand which was fun. I even shared one lift with a Japanese person! Who lived in Australia. ;)
It didn't really clear up properly yesterday and the light snow since my report yesterday morning amounted to 3cm of fresh for my report.
This morning it is noticeably warmer outside and a generally overcast kind of start to the day. Cloudy conditions seem to be what is on the forecast for the day, but again there is a chance we might get to see some clearer conditions. There was a actually a bit of blue sky earlier on this morning, but the clouds have covered that back over for the moment.
Tomorrow looks like a much more sure bet of sun with clearer skies forecast from the start of the day and the milder conditions continuing.
The next snow we can expect is probably late Monday into Tuesday.
In the meantime it is going to a busy and bustling weekend here in Niseko. As you might expect!
Have a fun and safe Saturday, and see you tomorrow.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -5℃, no snowfall. Moiwa 800m: -8.5℃, light NE breeze, no snowfall, 20cm snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m: -9℃, light wind, 5cm snowfall. Hirafu 1250m: -11℃, W10m/s, light dusts. Kamui cape lighthouse: N6m/s, 1014hPa, 1.5m waves.
The isobars are spreading out and the weather is calm. Snowdrifts have slowly developed above 800m elevation over the last 24hours snowfall. Looking at observations, the general avalanche hazard is low. The visibility is also good and the gates are expected to open from the morning. Ask the ski patrol some advice before stepping out of the gates. Too many flagrant tracks under the rope are left between Gate 1 and 2. We’d like to remind that many cases of avalanche accidents, including fatal ones, occurred around the slopes under the cornices of O-sawa (Annuri bowl). Accidents due to poor visibility have also occurred many times.
Every single resort user is subject to obey the Rules of out of bounds riding. One track left under the rope would lead many others to do the same and eventually end up in an accident. Respect the Rules. Guides and tour leaders have the responsibility to tell their guests to do the same, as well as ski resorts and their patrollers have the responsibility to appropriately enforce these Rules.
Have a great day.
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Official resort snow depths as of Saturday 4th February 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 320cm
Base - 150cm
Niseko Village
Top - 280cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 305cm
Base - 150cm
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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 Saturday 4th February 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 494cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 58 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 February 2017 snowfall 51cm reported on 4 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.