Niseko Now: Wednesday 8th February 2017
- Feb 8, 2017
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 4cm
Snowfall at base this season 498cm
Posted on Wednesday 8th February 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning and hello - and my apologies for the late report today. 'Unavoidable stuff' is my excuse!
Yesterday didn't totally clear up but we did have periods of blue sky and some sunshine - and lots of wind.
I have 4cm of fresh overnight snow to report to you this morning.
Light snow was falling earlier on this morning, it wasn't snowing when I started this report, but it is snowing again now. Doh! The good news is that the wind is much calmer and this morning all of the lifts that should be moving are open. I would expect with the conditions yesterday and the wind blowing everything around that it will be a mix of nice fresh snow in places but icy in others. Need to keep that in mind.
I'm looking at a few different forecasts here and they tell slightly different stories. I suppose the main thing to take from them is that while we may get some more snow later tomorrow and Friday, I wouldn't expect anything major. Snow clouds are forecast to be with us over the weekend too and so hopefully we'll get something out of them.
Have a fun day.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -5°, 10cm new snow. Moiwa 800m: -8°, 15cm new snow, minor snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m, -12°, W10m/s, 15cm new snow. Hirafu 1250m, -13°, W10m/s, 10cm ne snow, snowdrift development. Coastal data: Kamui Cape:NW8m/s, 1010hPa, wave 1.0m.
The wind has dropped and the snowdrifts are starting to stabilize. At the 5am observation, the avalanche risk is falling however around 1000m elevation, East ridge cornice slope, Backbowl sidewall and other leeward steep open slopes, the risk of surface avalanches remains high. Gates are expected to be open. Please listen and follow the patrols advice.
Don't ride or wait in the gullies at the valley bottoms. These are avalanche paths and avalanches can hit unexpectedly from above. Take care not to hit trees or fall in cracks. Cracks and holes are difficult to see from above. When riding out of bounds always be aware of your current location. Following unknown tracks is a quick and easy way to get lost. Your freedom to ride out of bounds is protected by the Niseko Rules. This also comes with responsibilities – Don't Duck Ropes. Be careful of sudden weather changes. Have a nice day.
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Official resort snow depths as of Wednesday 8th February 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 300cm
Base - 130cm
Niseko Village
Top - 280cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 315cm
Base - 150cm
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Night skiing is planned until Monday 20th March 2017 at the Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village resort areas. There is no nighta in the Hanazono area.
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Wednesday 8th February 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 498cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 59 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 181cm reported on 22 days January 2017 snowfall 152cm reported on 18 days February 2017 snowfall 55cm 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.