Niseko Now: Saturday 8th December 2018
- Dec 8, 2018
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 19cm
Snowfall at base this season 145cm
Posted on Saturday 8th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
UPDATE:
At Niseko Grand Hirafu, the course from the top of the King Number 3 quad lift opened today.
Hopefully there will be more news to report tomorrow morning.
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ORIGINAL MORNING REPORT:
Good morning!
And this morning, it is good. :)
I have measured 19cm of lovely fresh snow at base to add to my report this morning (and check the Avalanche report below with 25cm-60cm being numbers that stand out to me).
It is also a very cold morning.
Yes, this is kind of early morning feeling we desire.
Snow continues to fall this morning and by the looks of the forecast it is due to continue over the coming week.
I sense we are at a real turning point.
Hopefully more lifts and courses will soon be opening and we can be sure that the resorts are working towards making that happen. For the moment though, as of 8:30am, I can't see any changes to report. I will try to update this report later on today with anything new.
While this fresh snow and promise of more over the coming days is all very exciting, remember that base is still shallow. Take care out there.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base 5am: -8℃, 25cm snowfall in 24 hours. Goshiki Onsen: -8℃, 60cm snowfall in 24hours with snowdrift development. Sea of Japan Benkei cape: NW18m/s, Kamui cape: W14m/s, 1015hPa, 2.7m waves.
The strong north westerly wind brought a good amount of snowfall. Cornices and snowdrifts have developed in wind-exposed ridges’ leeward slopes above 800m elevation. 60-80cm snowdrifts have formed on top of Deb 6-7th layer and the avalanche risk in 40° slopes and knoll terrains is moderately high.
A wonderful blanket of soft-slab have blanketed the surface, and conditions will get better if the storm persist throughout the day. However, it is still very shallow out there and it is strongly recommended not to go out of the open courses. All gates are closed. Do not duck ropes. Bushes are still thick and may need to bush-crawl to come out. Beware of frostbites as colder temperature is forecasted for today.
Have a nice day.
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Ski resort operation information: Saturday 8th 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: 115cm
- Base: 50cm
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: 55cm
- Base: 20cm
- Not updated for today at time of report
Ski lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono Courses open:
- Shirakaba Course
- Center Course
- Beginners Access
- Jumbo Course
- Rinkan Course
- Yotei Sunset
- Parallel Course
- Silver Dream
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Niseko Annupuri
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 60cm
- Base: 40cm
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: 60cm
- Base: 30cm
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.
There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area.
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Saturday 8th December 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 145cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 13 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 25cm (23rd November) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 61cm 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.