Niseko Now: Wednesday 7th December 2016
- Dec 7, 2016
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 4cm
Snowfall at base this season 127cm
Posted on Wednesday 7th December 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
1pm update:
Since I posted my report it seems that the Jumbo Number 1 lift and a few more courses are opening at Annupuri - I have adjusted the operation details below. Please note that all other report information remains unchanged from my original report.
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Original morning report:
A good morning to you from here in Hirafu.
Yesterday the winds were affecting the lifts at Niseko Annupuri from the start of the day of course, and by noon the top lifts at Niseko Grand Hirafu and Hanazono were also having to stop due to the windy conditions up there. Happily this morning it is less windy and so all of the lifts that are planned to be operating today should get off to a smooth start.
I was thinking I might be able to report more snow than we actually have this morning - it was coming down hard at times, but it was also being blown about by strong winds - and in the end it's just 4cm of fresh here at base. 20cm has been added to the official snow depth for upper areas of Niseko Grand Hirafu though, so it sounds like a trip up there is definitely required for a first-hand check!
As for current weather conditions, it's just mostly cloudy skies as I write my report but the forecast still has snow clouds never far away over the coming days and we can probably expect more snow by tonight. There's a few small breaks in the clouds and a bit of blue sky on show in places as well.
It's nice and cold this morning and probably won't get much 'warmer' than -5C here at base, so wrap up well if you are heading out.
Resort operations appear to be generally unchanged for the moment as we wait for more snow to allow them to open more of the mountain up.
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Resort specific lift opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):
All four resort areas appear to be able to open as planned at the start of the day, though it looks like the Ace Number 2 Center Four lift at Niseko Grand Hirafu is going to have a delayed opening - currently unclear how long that delay will be.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Lifts planned to be operating:
- Ace Family pair
- Ace Number 2 Center Four
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Hirafu Gondola
- King Number 3 quad
- Swinging Monkey
Courses planned to be open:
- Family course
- Beginners access course
- Shirakaba course
- Center course
- Jumbo course
- Parallel course
The lower areas (apart from Family course) are closed - the Ace Number 2 Center Four lift and Gondola can be used to get back to base.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts planned to be operating:
- Hanazono 1 quad
- Hanazono 2 quad
- Hanazono 3 quad
Courses planned to be open:
- Silver Dream (experts only)
- Yotei Sunset
Niseko Village
Lifts planned to be operating:
- Community Chair
- Upper Village Gondola
- Village Express (used as a connection)
Niseko Annupuri
Lifts planned to be operating:
- Jumbo Number 1 pair (from 1pm)
- Jumbo Number 3 pair
- Annupuri Gondola
Courses planned to be operating:
- Utopia
- Shirakaba
- Paradise
- Junior
You can now ski down to base at Niseko Annupuri. You can board too, if you like! :)
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Official resort snow depths as of Wednesday 7th December 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 125cm
Base - 40cm
Niseko Village
Top - 40cm
Base - 20cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 55cm
Base - 30cm
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Night skiing is planned from Saturday 10th December until Monday 20th March 2017 at the Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village resort areas. There is no nighta in the Hanazono area.
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Wednesday 7th December 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 127cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 18 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 25cm (25th November) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 17cm 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.