Niseko Now: Sunday 5th January 2020
- Jan 5, 2020
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 8cm
Snowfall at base this season 361cm
Posted on Sunday 5th January 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning.
And on this Sunday morning I have 8cm of snowfall to report to you since yesterday.
It is a very cold morning and the snow quality is up there - just wish there was more of it. As always, we can expect more than that on the upper slopes.
Talking of which, it appears that the Ace Number 4 lift at Niseko Grand Hirafu is also ready to go - meaning all lifts at Hirafu are now operating.
All lifts at Niseko HANAZONO have been operating for a while now of course.
The top Wonderland lift at Niseko Village is also now operating, though they themselves are saying that the conditions 'aren't great due to there not being enough snow' - that is what they say - and that you can't slide over to Niseko Annupuri yet. (Their Country Road lift is resting, though that is normally rested).
Over at Annupuri, the top Jumbo Number 4 lift is not yet moving.
So that's generally where we are.
It has been snowing lightly this morning but right at the moment eased off for now where I am, though looks like it is still snowing higher up with the mountain covered in cloud. Still mostly cloudy but there are some patches of blue sky. We might get some occasional light snow through into early tomorrow, with some generally clearer skies due from tomorrow morning and a potential mini mild temperature bump early in the week.
-----
Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6.00am: -10°, 3cm new snow in the last 12hrs. Moiwa 800m: -10.3°, 5.3m/s 322 deg. Hirafu 1000m: -4.3m/s 328 deg, 13.7°. Hanazono 720m: -9.9°, 3.4m/s 337 deg. Annupuri 1000m: snow depth 130cm. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NNW13m/s. Kamui Cape NW7m/s, 1017hPa, wave 1.0m.
A trace of new snow has fallen at the base of the west side of the mountain and snowdrifts above 800m are growing slowly. From data and observation the general avalanche risk is low. On wind effected 40 deg slopes above 1000m, shallow avalanches are likely to occur due to the surface crust breaking over large areas. This type of avalanche runs fast and is dangerous. Avoid riding wind crusted steep slopes. Be careful on Kozan no Sawa (Back Bowl) sidewall, Iwaonupuri, etc.
The continued lack of snow is obvious. The gates cannot be opened yet because below 500m bushes and bamboo are still not covered and getting out at the bottom can be very difficult. People falling into creeks has become a daily occurrence. The water is cold so choose a proper routes. Sometimes we get a winter like this - we have to adapt. The snow isn't bad. Be careful of a sudden weather change. Have a good day.
-----
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 235cm
- Base: 95cm
All lifts are normally operating
All courses normally open EXCEPT the following:
- Onsenzawa
- Miharashi
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Ace Family quad until 8:30pm
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad until 8:20pm
- Hirafu Gondola until 8:10pm
- Holiday Number 1 pair until 8:30pm
-----
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 155cm
- Base: 95cm
All lifts are normally operating
-----
Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 135cm
- Base: 90cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT the following:
- Jumbo Number 4
Lift scheduled for late operations:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad until 8:30pm
-----
Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 135cm
- Base: 90cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT the following:
- Country Road
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Annupuri Village Gondola until 8:00pm
- Village Express until 8:00pm
- Banzai Chair until 8:00pm
Niseko Now 2019-2020 season |
Data as of Sunday 5th January 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 361cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 36 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 26cm (2nd January) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 207cm reported on 21 days January 2020 snowfall 69cm 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.