Niseko Now: Sunday 6th January 2019
- Jan 6, 2019
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 8cm
Snowfall at base this season 476cm
Posted on Sunday 6th January 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It was snowing during the day yesterday and it has left us with 8cm of fresh snow to be measured for my report. That is of course better than none, but it's not going to be enough to give us a proper reset on a busy weekend. We can't have it all every day.
It is another cold morning with light snow falling and hopefully it won't be too windy today. All resort areas are opening as planned at the start of the day.
The forecast for the coming week is looking good for regular snowfall - as I mentioned in my look back at the season so far a few days ago, it is perhaps looking more like regular and consistent modest amounts rather than sudden huge dumpage.
Back to normal life routines for most folk from tomorrow.
I think that's about it from me.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6.00am: -6°, 12cm new snow in the last 24 hrs, trace overnight, calm. Moiwa 800m: -9°, W8m/s, light snow wind, minor snow drift development. Mikaeri Weather Station: 40cm snowdrift development. Annupuri 1120m: snow depth 175cm. Niseko Village Mizuno no Sawa 1000m: 14 cm new snow in last 24hrs, snowpack 125cm. Hirafu Peak 1250m: -11°, NW15m/s, 40cm snowdrift development. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW12m/s. Kamui Cape: WSW9m/s, 1015hPa, wave 1.3m.
We are currently within a typical winter weather pattern. Above 800m there is a light snow bearing wind and tracks above the tree line are covered. Wind is less than 15m/s so there is only slow slab development and general avalanche risk is low. However take care on 30deg steep long open slopes like Kozan no Sawa side wall. Do not rest at the bottom of slopes like these. Also do not take beginners out of bounds.
Higashi One 1150m cracks were spreading towards Fujiwasa no sawa but seem to have stopped now. If they start to move again there is the possibility of small cave in's occurring. This year the general snow pack is shallow and snowdrifts are building up in unusual places. Cracks seem to be occurring quite easily. You cant see these from the top, take care.
Work is being undertaken in Higashi One area today to reduce the danger of the cracks. Todays snow is good. Have a good day.
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Ski resort operation information: Sunday 6th January 2019
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report. Subject to change!
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 270cm
- Base: 135cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart are normally operating
- The Ace Family quad (until 8:30pm), Ace Center 4 quad (8:20pm), Hirafu Gondola (until 8:10pm) and Holiday Number 1 pair (until 8:30pm) lifts are normally open during the evening
- The Center Four lift will be open from 8:00am until 8:20am between 7th-31st January 2019. (500 yen charge).
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 195cm
- Base: 160cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All Hanazono lifts are normally operating
- The Hanazono lifts are normally open until 3:50pm (Number 3 until 3:30pm)
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono Courses:
- All official courses are now available
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 240cm
- Base: 130cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All Annupuri lifts are normally operating
- The Jumbo 1 lift is normally open until 8:30pm during the evening
- Annupuri First run from 7:20am until 8:20am on 12th, 13th, 14th January. (1,500 yen charge).
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 240cm
- Base: 130cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart from the Country Road Chair are normally operating
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are normally open until 8:00pm during the evening
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Sunday 6th January 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 476cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 40 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (29th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 333cm reported on 26 days January 2019 snowfall 59cm 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.