Niseko Now: Thursday 6th February 2014
- Feb 6, 2014
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 25cm
Snowfall at base this season 923cm
Posted on Thursday 6th February 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Hirafu and I have another 25cm or so of fresh snow to report. Very nice snow too, conditions should be very good indeed this morning out on the mountain (where there will likely be even more of course).
It's another very cold morning and I'm glad to say less wind. Yesterday wind make access limited at the resorts, but at the start of the day while we have a moderate wind blowing it does not seem to be affecting lift operations. Obviously that can change any time, but fingers crossed...
So it's snowing - still! :) - but visibility is limited.
It's that Sapporo Snow Festival time of the year, with many people visiting Niseko making the trip over to Sapporo to take a look at the very impressive snow sculptures and enjoy the festivities. It's well worth a look.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -10C, 25cm new snow in last 12 hrs. Moiwa 800m: -14C, wind W15m/s, major snowdrift development, poor visibility. Annupuri 1150m: -18C, wind W16m/s, snowdrift development. Hirafu 1000m: -13C, 25cm new snow, snowdrift development. Annupuri peak 1308m: -18.1C, wind WNW7.7m/s. Cape Benkei, Cape Kamui: no data.
Strong wind and heavy snow have entered the region and there has been major snowdrift development on leeward faces. Mikaeri Bowl, Osawa cornice slope, Kozen no sawa, HigashiOne cornice slope the avalanche risk is HIGH. Peak gates 2&3 will be closed. Others undecided, please follow the patrols instructions. From observation around 800m elev, new slab development on cornices and knolls is 120cm. There is possibility of 80cm surface slab fracture easily triggered from rider stimulation.
Dont carelessly jump cornices or into steep slopes today. The snow in the trees is good. Beware trees, cracks, frostbite.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 390cm
Base - 200cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 350cm
Base - 230cm
Annupuri:
Top - 300cm
Base - 212cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Thursday 6th February 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 923cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 66 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (14th January) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days December 2013 snowfall 275cm reported on 22 days January 2014 snowfall 461cm reported on 29 days February 2014 snowfall 64cm reported on 6 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.