Niseko Now: Thursday 5th January 2017
- Jan 5, 2017
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 8cm
Snowfall at base this season 299cm
Posted on Thursday 5th January 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning.
It is a cold morning and there's fresh snow on the ground.
I have measured just 8cm but it's a welcome sight - and good quality stuff too; and there'll be more higher up on the places that really matter.
There's an increasing amount of blue sky turning up now to, so it feels like it is going to be a fine morning. It should be staying really cold though so need to be prepared for that.
Unfortunately, wind is affecting things at the start of the day and keeping some lifts from opening. See below for resort specific info as of 8:30am.
Might the snow of today (whether it has finished up or be more later on) be the last until around Monday evening? Let's keep an eye on the forecast for that ongoing story...
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -6℃, 10cm snowfall since early dawn. Moiwa850m: -6℃, 10cm snow, strong wind and snowdrifts developing. Annupuri1150m: -8℃, N15m/s, snowfall & wind from early dawn. Hirafu 1200m: -10℃, snow and wind picked up from 5am and snowdrifts are developing. Kamui cape lighthouse: NE2m/s, 1017hPa, 1.9m waves.
Snow and wind picked up from 5am under the winter barometric pattern. Drastic developments of snowdrifts have been observed around 800m elevation. The wind-affected slabs’ density is uneven and unstable. 40cm thick new snow sitting on top of Jan 4th layer can slide anytime. The general avalanche risk is high. Do not stimulate knolls and cornices. Remember that most accidents occur during bad weather.
Finally some long awaited snow has come, however still insufficient to cover the bushes. If you push your line too far down, you will have trouble coming back. Snowboarders better carry snowshoes if you are venturing out far. No matter the amount of snow, avalanches happen when conditions are right. The gate opening is yet to be decided.
Lift passes will be confiscated if ropes are crossed.
Beware of frostbites.
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Resort specific opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
The top Ace Number 4 and King Number 4 lifts are on hold due to wind conditions.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
All three lifts appear to be opening as planned.
Niseko Village
The Gondola is moving at reduced speed at the start of the day.
Niseko Annupuri
The Gondola and top Jumbo Number 4 lift are on hold due to wind conditions.
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Official resort snow depths as of Thursday 5th January 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 235cm
Base - 85cm
Niseko Village
Top - 140cm
Base - 100cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 150cm
Base - 95cm
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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 Thursday 5th January 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 299cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 37 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 8cm reported on 1 day |
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.