Niseko Now: Friday 8th February 2013
- Feb 8, 2013
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 20cm
Snowfall at base this season 1031cm
Weather overview Cloudy, some blue sky
Wind
Varied
Temperature -3C base / -9C top
Visibility Good
Posted at 9:23am on Friday 8th February 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Around 20cm of fresh snowfall to report this morning from Niseko. The Avalanche Report below is reporting up to 40cm in places I see.
It's not as windy as well today and while there's a moderate wind here at base, it seems that all the lifts on the mountain are going to be open as scheduled. The only exception I can see right now is the top Hanazono lift which is operating at reduced speed.
With the fresh snowfall, it has probably been a rush to get on the first lifts to access that new snow. Unfortunately, I'm sat here writing this report - but I'm happy for the people up there now!
It has been a cloudy start to the day but actually now the sun is out and there is an increasing amount of blue sky up there. It may well not last though as the forecasts have snow and windier conditions lined up for later on in the day, so it looks like things might change fairly quickly. Another reason to get on those early lifts.
A fairly calm day tomorrow with cloud and snow showers on the current forecast.
We have a three day weekend coming up as Monday is a holiday in Japan. Sunday is also the Chinese New Year and so with lots of visitors celebrating that event, Niseko is heading into possibly the busiest week of the season. Expect some crowds!
Avalanche Information
Niseko base 6am: -5C, 20cm of broken particles snow, mild wind with moderate development of snowdrifts. Moiwa 800m: NE5m/s, 30cm snowfall and the snowdrifts are unstable. Annupuri peak: SSW5.9m/s, -11.6C. Coastal data: SSE5m/s, 1.3m waves and 993hPa.
Feb 7-8th low-pressure snowfall has left 40cm of snow (mixed graupels) in 800m slopes. Wind affected (20m/s) snowdrifts has developed in leeward slopes and formed unstable slabs. The avalanche risk is high in 800-1100m leeward slopes in the Backbowl & Osawa SE facing slopes and Higashione. Loose snow avalanche are also likely to occur in steep slopes in the trees or under lift lines. Gates 2 & 3 will be closed and other gates still to be determined. Another storm is forecasted to pick up again before noon.
In Niseko, where so many people ski/ride the out of bounds area, one avalanche triggered in the upper section will easily burry a number of people at the bottom. We have no choice but to be conservative in the gates opening. The habit of traversing across the whole Backbowl just to access a short steep section of the west-face or Mikaeri must stop. Guides/leaders must stop taking guests & beginners to this route and showing a bad example. Leading a group across a slope just under cornices is pure foolishness and terrible manner. The freedom to ski/ride the out of bounds area in Niseko is only sustainable by having people accepting and respecting the Niseko Rules.
Beware!! Most accidents occur during and just after storms.
Niseko Now 2012-2013 season |
Data as of Friday 8th February 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 1031cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 69 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (27th January) November 2012 snowfall 118cm reported on 11 days December 2012 snowfall 418cm reported on 27 days January 2013 snowfall 443cm reported on 26 days February 2013 snowfall 52cm 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.