Niseko Now: Monday 6th January 2020
- Jan 6, 2020
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 17cm
Snowfall at base this season 378cm
Posted on Monday 6th January 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Snow through the day yesterday resulting in 17cm of fresh snowfall to report to you this morning. Snow conditions on the mountain should be very good this morning.
Strong winds early morning are shutting down top lifts from the start of the day. Hopefully that situation will improve. At the time of writing, all top lifts as well as the Niseko Gondola and Annupuri Gondola are on hold. The Hirafu Gondola is operating but at reduced speed.
There is still a lot of cloud around and I see some light snow falling from my window. Having said that, I see there is some sun peeking through in some areas; maybe we will get more of that through the day.
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I shared a few lifts with a family visiting from Australia yesterday.
They were clearly extremely worried about the bushfire situation back home. I felt a bit embarrassed that I had not really been following the news over the last few weeks. (I am trying to avoid the endlessly frustrating ‘this can’t be happening’ aspects of the current news).
I took a bit of time to read up on the situation. It’s devastating to see what is going on and truly heart-breaking hearing about the damage being done to people, properties and wildlife. There are of course many visitors in Niseko from Australia and so I have no doubt that there must be a lot of conflicting feelings going on right now. My thoughts with you all.
It made me ponder about a few things.
That we all truly need to be doing something about our planet... like... now.
And that getting worked up about cm of snowfall is... rather trivial.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6.00am: -6°, 15cm new snow in the last 12hrs. Moiwa 800m: -7.8°, 11.8m/s 348 deg, snowdrift development from dawn. Hirafu 1000m: 8.8m/s 355 deg, -12.3°. Hanazono 720m: -7.8°, 10.3m/s 339 deg. Annupuri 1000m: snowdepth 135cm. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NNW13m/s. Kamui Cape N7m/s, 1022hPa, wave 2.1m.
Early this morning the isobars moved closer together and there has been snowdrift development above 800m. From observation and data the risk of avalanches on 40 deg leeward slopes moderately high. Take care on steep slopes above the treeline.
Bamboo and bushes are slowly getting buried and the number of skiable slopes is increasing. Please be patient until the top gates open. Do not carelessly duck ropes to leave the resort area.
The Strawberry Fields gate at Hanazono was opened yesterday. Watch out for bushes and terrain changes hidden under the snow. Also at Gate 6 watch out for the valley bottom. If you fall down there you may not be able to get out. We recommend everyone carries a shovel , probe and a short rope along with using a helmet and carrying a beacon. Todays snow is wonderful.
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Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 230cm
- Base: 90cm
All lifts are normally operating
All courses normally open EXCEPT the following:
- Onsenzawa
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
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 150cm
- Base: 90cm
All lifts are normally operating
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 145cm
- Base: 95cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT the following:
- Jumbo Number 4
Lift scheduled for late operations:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad until 8:30pm
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 140cm
- Base: 100cm
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 Monday 6th January 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 378cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 37 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 86cm 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.