Niseko Now: Sunday 7th January 2018
- Jan 7, 2018
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 28cm
Snowfall at base this season 634cm
Posted on Sunday 7th January 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I bring happy news this morning with some decent snowfall numbers after some good snowing through the day yesterday.
I am measuring 28cm here near Hirafu base and I noticed up to 40cm being reported by the Avalanche Report folks. That's a good new layer that will cover up those tracks, even if lots of it was during the day yesterday.
Today the forecast is for generally cloudy skies over the region as the early snow eases off and visibility improves (the report below is from earlier, hence the big difference there). Resorts are reporting some wind higher up. I see that the Hirafu Gondola is having some early morning issues and is going to be delayed so some folk are going to be annoyed that they chose that as their first lift. The Annupuri gondola is also operating at reduced speed at the start of the day, presumably due to wind.
It is a cold start to the day with tomorrow forecast to be milder - temperatures to rise a little above zero and either wet snow or rain possible. (Nooooo!)
Tuesday and Wednesday should see a return to quality snow conditions though. (Hurray!!)
I'm going to brave the crowds and have a few hours on the slopes myself this morning.
See you tomorrow!
---
Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -7°, 10cm new snow, minor snowdrift development. Moiwa 800m : -7°, 30cm new snow, snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -9°, NW15m/s, 40cm new snow, snowdrift development. Hirafu 1250m: -13°, NW15m/s, 20cm new snow, snowdrift development. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NW17m/s. Kamui Cape: NNE11m/s, 1012hPa, wave 1.3m.
Wind and snow from the northwest continues, lots of snow on the west side. Snow drift development has been inconsistent over the last 24 hours due to changes in wind and temperature, creating a weak layer. From observation and tests, drifts are fracturing at 50-100cm. Leeward slopes above 800m avalanche risk is moderately high. Kozan no Sawa sidewall around 1100m, expect fracture to easily occur from rider stimulation. Many accidents have occurred during blizzard conditions on leeward slopes where unstable slabs have formed. All gates are expected to be open. Please listen to the patrols advice. Do not duck ropes.
West side tracks are covered and slopes are reset. Snow in the trees is good but a bit deep. Do not stimulate knolls or cornices, this could trigger an avalanche. Do not wait in the valley bottoms, this is where an avalanche will run. Data from Moiwa's zero fighter is unavailable due to wind. It will take a while to get back online, we have had unexpected snowdrifts this winter.
Bad visibility and blizzard conditions continue. Be careful falling into cracks or crashing into object. Out the gates is not the ski resort anymore. Make safe desicions based on current conditions. Careless actions can cause accidents. Have a safe day.
---
Sunday 7th January 2018
Resort specific information (operations subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts are operating; Hirafu Gondola having some technical issues at the start of the day - delayed opening.
- 'Early Morning' services from 8:00am until 8:20am (Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift). Until 28th January. 500 yen special ticket required.
Official snow depth:
- Top: 365cm
- Base: 175cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts are operating; Gondola operating at reduced speed at the start of the day.
- 'First Run Early Morning' services from 7:20am until 8:20am (Annupuri Gondola). Until 8th January. 1,000 yen special ticket required.
Official snow depth:
- Top: 260cm
- Base: 150cm
Niseko Village
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts except Country Road Chair are operating
- 'Early Gondola' service from 7:30am until 8:30am (Niseko Gondola). January 6th-8th, 13th-14th, 20th-21st, 27th-28th; February 3rd-4th. 1,400 yen special ticket required.
Official snow depth:
- Top: 260cm
- Base: 160cm
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Sunday 7th January 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 634cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 43 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (21st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 406cm reported on 27 days January 2018 snowfall 40cm reported on 5 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.