Niseko Now: Tuesday 5th December 2017
- Dec 5, 2017
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 7cm
Snowfall at base this season 244cm
Posted on Tuesday 5th December 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
If you are one of the naughty people who didn't get to read my report yesterday, which included a bit of a recap of the season so far, please do check it out.
7cm more fresh snowfall measured this morning (since my last report of course, as always). More snow is expected through today - when I started writing my report it wasn't snowing and there were some patches of blue sky to be seen, but it has now once again started snowing lightly. So 'light snow at times' is probably the best way to describe this early morning.
The top half of Mt Yotei is covered in thick dark grey cloud.
The forecast remains good and suitably snowy over the coming week.
Good and cold too.
With regular snow on the horizon, night skiing should get off to a good start from this Saturday. I don't actually get out for nighta that often myself, but when it's good... it's really good! Definitely recommended if you are visiting Niseko.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -4°, 5cm new snow. Moiwa 800m 8m/s, -8°, 10cm new snow, snowdrift development from northerly wind. Annupuri 1000m snowpack 135cm. Hirafu 1000m, -8°, snow drifting from Northerly wind, light snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:N11m/s. Kamui Cape N7m/s, 1007hPa, wave 0.8m.
From around midnight to early morning a northerly wind blew above 600m on the West side of the mountain, producing some snowdrift and cornice growth in a short time. Although not a great deal of growth, they are unstable and break easily. Around 700m snowdrift growth has been uneven along east facing ridge lines due to the strong winds. Groomed runs are in good condition today, take care of snowdrifts off the groomers. Above 800m this morning the avalanche risk on south facing slopes is elevated. It is predicted to fracture on Dec 3-4 layer, when the warm low pressure system passed through the area. Around 800m there is a frost layer evident in snowpack.
All peak gates are still closed. Do not duck ropes looking for fresh tracks.
Tonight is the 21st Niseko Avalanche meeting at 6.30pm, Old Stone Warehouse in front of Niseko Station. Yamaguchi San of National Disaster Mitigation Research Institute will be speaking about the latest avalanche research, the future of avalanche research and accident prevention in Japan. The next avalanche report will be issued when gates are ready to be opened. The snow in the forest is good.
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Tuesday 5th December 2017
What's planned to be open today in Niseko (subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Lifts operating:
- Ace Number 3 Pair lift
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift
- Ace Family quad lift
- King Number 3 quad lift
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair lift
- Swinging Monkey
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad lift
- Hanazono Number 2 quad lift
- Hanazono Number 3 quad lift
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift
- Dream Number 1 quad lift
Niseko Village
Lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola
- Banzai Chair
- Community Chair
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Official resort snow depths on Tuesday 5th December 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 200cm
Base - 70cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Top - 140cm
Base - 70cm
Niseko Village
Top - 135cm
Base - 70cm
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Floodlit 'nighta' skiing schedule:
Saturday 9th December 2017 until Sunday 18th March 2018
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Tuesday 5th December 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 244cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 16 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 29cm (20th November) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 56cm reported on 5 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.