Niseko Now: Friday 4th January 2019
- Jan 4, 2019
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 455cm
Posted on Friday 4th January 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
First of all, if you were naughty and didn't read my report from yesterday please let me bring my look back at the season so far to your attention.
There's only a little fresh snowfall to report to you this morning, I am just about managing to report 1cm. The forecast is looking good for regular snowfall starting from tonight and into next week, so we should be getting a reset soon. As I made note of in the report yesterday, one of the less excite aspects of being such a hugely popular place is that you really need the regular fresh to fill in quickly tracked-out courses. But don't worry, I will very likely be bringing you some numbers tomorrow.
Someone asked about the early Gondola service at Niseko Annupuri, and if there were any plans for any further such operations beyond the planned 12th-14th January... as far as I can tell, that will be the last of the early morning Annupuri for this season. (I'll keep an eye on that -- and if anyone has any differing information, please do tell. I'm always happy to admit a mistake if I make one).
From Monday, Niseko Grand Hirafu plans to opening early but I am failing in my trying to find out full details. Perhaps it is a secret. (I'll post info as soon as I know).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -6℃, no snowfall, calm. Moiwa800m: -7.3℃, SW1.2m/s, 5cm snowfall and 30cm snowdrifts in 12hours. Mikaeri junction: -9℃, calm and no snowfall. Annupuri1120m: 170cm snow depth. Peak: -12℃, light breeze and snowfall. Niseko Village Mizuno no sawa: -8.69℃, SW3.4m/s, 240cm snow depth. Kutchan town: -5.5℃, E1.5m/s, 122cm snow depth. Coastal data Benkei cape: NW9m/s, Kamui cape: SW10m/s, 1023hPa, 1.4m waves.
Calm morning under a high-pressure system. No new snow has fallen, cornices and snowdrifts development is minimal and yesterday’s tracks remains. Jan 3-4th layer will form and potentially become a trigger layer under future snowfall transition. The mountain is mostly tracked out. Ski carefully and remain in control. Beware of sudden weather changes.
Large cracks have formed at 1000m Higashi-One. Those cracks are the result of the slope releasing its tension under the weight of Dec 27-29th heavy snowfall and snowdrift development. Avalanches caused from same storm’s Dec 27th hoar layer are to be expected in 1000m NE aspects. Better not stimulate cornices/knolls and stay away from valley bottoms. There is no guaranteed safety in Winter Mountains. Listen to the ski patrol’s instructions and be prudent.
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Ski resort operation information: Friday 4th January 2019
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report. Subject to change!
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 260cm
- Base: 135cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart are normally operating
- The Ace Family quad (until 8:30pm), Ace Center 4 quad (8:20pm), Hirafu Gondola (until 8:10pm) and Holiday Number 1 pair (until 8:30pm) lifts are normally open during the evening
- The Center Four lift will be open early between 7th-31st January 2019 (more details soon)
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 210cm
- Base: 153cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All Hanazono lifts are normally operating
- The Hanazono lifts are normally open until 3:50pm (Number 3 until 3:30pm)
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono Courses:
- All official courses are now available
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 240cm
- Base: 130cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All Annupuri lifts are normally operating
- The Jumbo 1 lift is normally open until 8:30pm during the evening
- Annupuri First run from 7:20am until 8:20am on 12th, 13th, 14th January. (1,500 yen charge)
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 240cm
- Base: 130cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart from the Country Road Chair are normally operating
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are normally open until 8:00pm during the evening
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Night time operations are available in the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri resort areas. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO resort area.
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Friday 4th January 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 455cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 38 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (29th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 333cm reported on 26 days January 2019 snowfall 38cm 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.