Niseko Now: Wednesday 7th January 2015
- Jan 7, 2015
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 15cm
Snowfall at base this season 632cm
Posted on Wednesday 7th January 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It's something of a ride at the moment here.
Yesterday we were treated to a healthy dose of rain and warmer conditions in the area. Not nice conditions at all. Happily we don't get many of those days here in Niseko, but I can't remember a season when we didn't get at least a few. Just got to get through it and look forward to the snow on the other side...
With that behind us, let me report the good stuff. The rain turned to snow and this morning there's about 15cm of fresh snow on the ground. (Well, when it hasn't been blown away anyway). It's back to being really cold as well, and it does feel very cold out there. The strong winds that are still with us this morning adding to that cold feeling. Wind chill factor alert!
Unfortunately the strong winds are preventing resorts from fully opening and in the case of Niseko Annupuri and Niseko Hanazono areas all of the lifts closed, so there's limited choice this morning for those willing to brave the elements. Latest details at the time of writing this report shown below.
The amount of snow we got overnight won't be enough to cover some icy conditions in places, but the forecasts give us continued snowfall through into next weekend and beyond so it looks like there is plenty of refresh on the way. If it isn't snowing, it shouldn't be far off.
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Resort specific news at time of writing - subject to change during the day
Niseko Grand Hirafu:
King Number 3 Triple, King Number 4, Ace Number 3 and Swinging Monkey lifts on hold due to wind. Hirafu Gondola is moving.
'Early Morning' lift available from 10th January to 1st February (for 500 yen, you can ride Ace Quad Number 2 lift from 8am until 8:20am).
Niseko Hanazono:
All lifts at Hanazono on hold due to strong winds.
Niseko Village:
Niseko Gondola and Wonderland Chair not operating due to wind.
Niseko Annupuri:
All lifts at Annupuri on hold due to strong winds.
'Annupuri First Run' available on 11th and 12th January (for 1000 yen, you can ride the Gondola from 7:20-8:20am).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -10C, 15cm of snowfall in 12 hours with developing snowdrifts. Moiwa 800m: -13C, NW15m/s, snowstorm and developing snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m: -18C, stormy and notable development of snowdrifts. Hirafu 1000m: -16C, 20cm snowfall and growing snowdrifts. Coastal data: Benkei cape NW25m/s, Kamui cape WSW20m/s, 988hPa, 3.5m waves.
The ocean and the mountain range are in a stormy condition under a wintry atmospheric pressure pattern. The high wind above 1000m is sweeping the new snow away and making the surface freeze. Thick snowdrifts are developing in leeward slopes below 1000m. According to observations and snowfall transition, the avalanche risk is extreme today. 80cm or bigger surface slab slides from Jan 6th (passing low-pressure system snowfall) layer are to be expected in 900m Annupuri bowl (Osawa) cornice slopes, Backbowl (Kozan no Sawa), Higashi-One and Mikaeri sawa. Peak gates 2 & 3 as well as gate 1 & 4 will be kept closed all day. Avalanche risk is high in all elevations today. Stay away from steep slopes, cornices and knoll terrains. Keep in mind that many avalanche accidents occur during and just after storms. Better not overestimate your skills and knowledge, you can never be too careful in the mountains. Always stay prudent and humble. The conditions will get better soon. The snow in the tree-runs is wind-affected and heavy. Beware of frostbites and have a nice day.
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Official snow depth numbers and any notes at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 300cm
Base - 160cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 220cm
Base - 150cm
Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 220cm
Base - 160cm
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Lifts open for night skiing (planned):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Ace Family Pair lift, Ace Number 2 Center Four lift, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 Pair lift
(There is no night skiing at the Hanazono area)
Niseko Village
Community Chair and Banzai Chair
Niseko Annupuri
Jumbo Number 1 Quad
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Wednesday 7th January 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 632cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 36 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th and 26th December) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 519cm reported on 25 days January 2015 snowfall 83cm 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.