Niseko Now: Monday 6th January 2014
- Jan 6, 2014
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 30cm
Snowfall at base this season 505cm
Posted on Monday 6th January 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko and what a very good morning it is and will be.
I have another 30cm or so of fresh snowfall to report from down here in the Hirafu village. It hasn't really let up since yesterday morning, so there's the answer to yesterday's 'which way will it go' question!
Conditions will continue to be simply excellent. What more can I say? Just take care you don't get lost in the snow.
It's supposed to ease off today and we might see some sun tomorrow, but who knows. I'll just let you know how things are tomorrow morning.
Niseko being so popular is of course busy throughout the peak season but now that the New Year period is over for most people, we should be getting back to normal from today.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -7C, 15cm of fresh crystal snow. Moiwa 800m: NW5m/s, calm, no development of snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m: NW8m/s, light development of snowdrifts, 30cm of fresh, -11C. Hirafu: 15cm of fresh, calm. Peak 1308m: WNW7m/s, -13C. Coastal data: Benkei cape NW16m/s, Kamui cape W14m/s, 1.6m waves, 1014hPa.
Snow & wind will momentarily pick up under the wintry pressure pattern. Beware of sudden weather changes and poor visibility in areas above 800m. According to weather transition and observations, the general avalanche risk is low. The is not as deep as yesterday, epic conditions. Peak gates will open from the morning. Seek for ski patrol’s advice, carry backcountry safety gears and step out of bounds from the gates. Skiing steep faces like the Backbowl involves high risks at all time. Don’t take it easy, be aware of the consequences and be prudent. Too many people keep entering strictly off-limits Haru no Taki area and disrespecting the Rules. Violators will have their passes confiscated and banned from skiing in Niseko resorts. Having people respect the Rules is the only way to protect the current system allowing skiing out of bounds. Have a nice day.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 320cm
Base - 160cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 230cm
Base - 160cm
Annupuri:
Top - 190cm
Base - 180cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Monday 6th January 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 505cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 37 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 35cm (14th, 15th and 24th December) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days December 2013 snowfall 275cm reported on 22 days January 2014 snowfall 107cm 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.