Niseko Now: Saturday 6th January 2018
- Jan 6, 2018
- 5 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 5cm
Snowfall at base this season 606cm
Posted on Saturday 6th January 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I have a bit more fresh snow to report this morning, I am measuring 5cm so it's not a deep layer to completely cover tracks (unless much more fell up top), but is of course welcome. Hopefully there'll be some real-time filling in continuing through the day today ---- and actually, since I started putting this report together it has started coming down very nicely. Come on! Visibility is looking rather limited at the moment as well.
After today, no snow expected during the day tomorrow but we should enjoy a return to snow come in the first part of the week, though it may be preceded by some unseasonably mild conditions around Monday. (Fingers crossed we don't get any rain).
Monday is 'Coming of Age Day' in Japan and a national holiday which means that it is a three day weekend which makes this weekend as one of the most popular of the season - with Japanese guests anyway.
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From this morning Niseko Grand Hirafu started it's 'Early Morning' service. This is basically the resort operating the Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift from 8:00am until 8:20am with the Super, Furiko, Green, Alpen and Sen-no-ki courses available. And charging 500 yen for it. This 'premium' lift operation is available daily until 28th January. Note that you cannot use any other tickets (including season ticket) for this.
The Niseko Annupuri resort area is also opening early over this long weekend. They will operate the Annupuri Gondola from 7:20am until 8:20am and charge 1000 yen to use it.
And Niseko Village are also operating their Gondola early this weekend. Their special lift ticket is 1400 yen.
I have conflicting feelings about these services. I can understand people wanting to get out for some early fresh snow on some days (of course). But the charges seem a bit mean to me, especially as they even apply for season ticket owners. But there you go... 'it's business' and all that. I might also be a bit blue about it because I am sat here writing these reports every day at that time! Doh. ;)
I have added details about the early morning services to the individual resort info bits below.
Apologies for not mentioning this yesterday; and yes, I am aware that by the time this report appears normal daytime operations will have started.
Gomen, ne.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -4℃, 3cm snowfall, clam. Moiwa800m: -5.5℃, W4m/s, 5cm snowfall with light snowdrift development. Annupuri1150: -7℃, WNW8m/s, 10cm snowfall, light snowdrifts. Hirafu1250m: -8℃, light breeze, 10cm snowfall. Coastal data: Benkei cape NW7m/s, Kamui cape W2m/s, 1006hPa, 0.8m waves.
The isobars are spread out and the weather is calm on the ocean and the mountains. Scarce snowfall throughout the area and development of snowdrifts and cornices above 1000m is also minimal. According to observations, test and various data, the general avalanche risk is low. All gates will open from the morning. Ask for advice from the ski patrol before stepping out of the gates. Yesterday’s tracks are remaining, but still pretty good condition for riding. Intermittent snowfall is forecasted to continue. Light is weak and the snow surface is hard to see. Beware of loosing control, hitting obstacles, falling into cracks/holes, they’re difficult to notice until last second.
Large crown avalanches are unlikely to occur in the current snowpack, however stimulating snowdrift slopes (under cornices), riding one slope simultaneously or traversing across the whole slope can trigger an avalanche anytime.
Airbags will not float if turned off. Just like beacons, simply carrying it will not save your life. Be prepared, be vigilant. Accidents can be avoided by using caution. Have a nice day.
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Saturday 6th January 2018
Resort specific information (operations subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts are operating
- 'Early Morning' services from 8:00am until 8:20am (Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift). Until 28th January. 500 yen special ticket required.
Official snow depth:
- Top: 325cm
- Base: 145cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts are operating
- 'First Run Early Morning' services from 7:20am until 8:20am (Annupuri Gondola). Until 8th January. 1,000 yen special ticket required.
Official snow depth:
- Top: 250cm
- Base: 140cm
Niseko Village
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts except Country Road Chair are operating
- 'Early Gondola' service from 7:30am until 8:30am (Niseko Gondola). January 6th-8th, 13th-14th, 20th-21st, 27th-28th; February 3rd-4th. 1,400 yen special ticket required.
Official snow depth:
- Top: 250cm
- Base: 160cm
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Floodlit 'nighta' skiing:
Night skiing is planned for every evening at the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area. Ski lifts that are scheduled to be operating for nighta are noted below (subject to change):
* Niseko Grand Hirafu - Ace Family quad, Ace Number 2 quad, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 pair
* Niseko Annupuri - Jumbo Number 1 quad lift
* Niseko Village - Village Express, Upper Village Gondola, Community Chair, Banzai Chair
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Saturday 6th January 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 606cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 42 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (21st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 406cm reported on 27 days January 2018 snowfall 12cm reported on 4 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.