Niseko Now: Thursday 4th January 2018
- Jan 4, 2018
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 600cm
Posted on Thursday 4th January 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
A modest 3cm of fresh snow to report to you this morning with (very) light snow falling as I write this.
Visibility looks pretty good out there and there's not much of a wind - not here at base anyway. The resorts look set to be opening as planned this morning with gates also opening. Oh hold on; it looks like Ace Number 3 lift at Niseko Grand Hirafu has some issues this morning and that lift is not going to be opening as normal.
The forecasts show we probably have a few days of calmer weather ahead. The next decent snowfall is currently forecast to be with us later on Monday into Tuesday. Perhaps some on Saturday but it's not looking like it will be major. Though these things can of course change.
And I think that's about it for today. I very much hope that you have a good one.
---
Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -4℃, 5cm snowfall, calm. Moiwa 800m: -5.4℃, W4.8m/s, moderate development of snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m: -9℃, light northerly wind, 10cm snowfall with moderate snowdrift development. Hirafu 1250m: -13℃, N5m/s, 10cm snowfall with snowdrifts. Coastal data: Benkei cape: N8m/s, Kamui cape NNE9m/s, 1014hPa, 1.5m waves.
Typical winter pressure map, west-high/east-low, with spread out isobars is generating light northerly wind below 10m/s with intermittent snowfall and moderate snowdrifts development. The slopes in the valleys are being reset with new snow. Observations, pressure test and other data shows that the overall avalanche risk is low today. Peak gates are scheduled to open from the morning. Please ask the ski patrol’s advice before stepping out of the gates.
The snow is not too deep, not too light, in good shape. The avalanche risk may be low, but better not underestimate the hazards of Winter Mountains. Always be vigilant. Slides are still to be expected in steep gullies in the shades. Better not traverse slopes too easily. People who are not familiar with the terrain should not thoughtlessly follow other people’s tracks. You may end up astray in certain zones without a way to come back to the resort. There are no buses coming to Goshiki area.
Please respect the Niseko Rules. This information is issued for the sake of all Niseko resort users.
Niseko has been blessed with good snow this season. Have a great day.
---
Thursday 4th January 2018
Resort specific information (operations subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts are operating apart from Ace Number 3 which appears to have some mechanical issues
Official snow depth:
- Top: 320cm
- Base: 140cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts are operating
Official snow depth:
- Top: 240cm
- Base: 140cm
Niseko Village
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts except Country Road Chair are operating
Official snow depth:
- Top: 250cm
- Base: 170cm
---
Floodlit 'nighta' skiing:
Night skiing is planned for every evening at the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area. Ski lifts that are scheduled to be operating for nighta are noted below (subject to change):
* Niseko Grand Hirafu - Ace Family quad, Ace Number 2 quad, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 pair
* Niseko Annupuri - Jumbo Number 1 quad lift
* Niseko Village - Village Express, Upper Village Gondola, Community Chair, Banzai Chair
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Thursday 4th January 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 600cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 40 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (21st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 406cm reported on 27 days January 2018 snowfall 6cm reported on 2 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.