Niseko Now: Friday 7th December 2018
- Dec 7, 2018
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 126cm
Posted on Friday 7th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just 2cm of fresh snow to report from base this morning.
It has been just 'light' snowfall, but we are all hoping that today that will change... and that I will be able to bring you some more exciting numbers due over the next few days.
Snow please!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 5am: -5℃, NE5m/s, 2cm of new snow. Goshiki Onsen: -6℃, NE8m/s, 10cm ne snow, light development of snowdrift. Sea of Japan Benkei cape: ENE9m/s, Kamui cape 1012hPa, 0.7m waves. Resort data n/a.
The snowpack at 800m is around 60cm thick. 2 layer of granular snow (20cm & 30cm) are present above the surface. Cornice development is minimal. A strong winter pressure distribution is forecasted once the low-pressure moves east and snow & wind will pick up as it does. Bushes are yet to be buried under 1000m elevation and the off-piste is not good to ride.
The snow will eventually come, all we can do it wait for it.
The 22nd Niseko Avalanche Meeting will be held at the Niseko Chomin Center from 6:30pm today.
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Ski resort operation information: Friday 7th December 2018
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 80cm
- Base: 25cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Ace Number 3 pair
- King Number 3 quad
- Swinging Monkey
- Ace Number 2 Center Four (for transport to open area)
- Hirafu Gondola (for transport to open area)
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: -cm
- Base: 20cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
Hirafu & Hanazono Courses open:
- Shirakaba Course
- Center Course
- Beginners Access
- Jumbo Course
- Yotei Sunset
- Parallel Course
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Niseko Annupuri
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 40cm
- Base: 20cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Jumbo Number 3 pair
- Dream Number 1 quad
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Niseko Village
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 50cm
- Base: 25cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Upper Village Gondola
- Community Chair
- Banzai Chair
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Night time operations are planned to begin at the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri resort areas from Tuesday 11th December.
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Friday 7th December 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 126cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 12 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 25cm (23rd November) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 42cm 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.