Niseko Now: Thursday 8th February 2018
- Feb 8, 2018
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 7cm
Snowfall at base this season 923cm
Posted on Thursday 8th February 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
This morning I have 7cm of fresh snow to add to my reports and I notice 15cm being reported from Moiwa (below). So a modest refresh which should be nice to ride on.
As I write the report this morning snow is falling, but it's quite bright and there is also blue sky in places so a somewhat confusing - and very pretty - mix of conditions. Perhaps some more light snow today, or perhaps clearing skies?
Resorts are opening as planned this morning.
Maybe no snow tomorrow and then slightly milder conditions on Saturday.
Beyond that, the forecast is looking pretty good over the coming week and with the Chinese New Year holidays fast approaching, we can hopefully look forward to a fresh delivery of snow daily to fill in tracks (please). Perhaps with some sunshine during the day for the views. Onegai shimasu!
---
Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -6℃,10cm snowfall, calm. Moiwa800m: -9℃, WNW3.6m/s, 15cm snowfall, snowdrifts developed at night until dawn. Annupuri1150m: -9℃, W7m/s, 10cm snowfall, 330cm snowpack at 1000m. Hirafu1250m: -11℃, northerly wind & snow before dawn with 5cm snowfall. Coastal data: Benkei cape NW13m/s, Kamui cape WSW13m/s, 1011hPa, 1.2m waves.
A light storm under 15m/s has persisted over the Sea of Japan, however the isobars are spreading out and the wind is starting to calm down in lower elevations. A northerly wind has picked up overnight and made cornices and snowdrifts develop. Surface slab avalanches are to be expected during the morning at knolls and around cornices above 800m elevation. Potential sliding layer is Feb 5-7th’ low pressure snowfall. The new snowdrifts are yet to form notable slabs, however are dangerous enough. All gates are expected to open. Please seek the patrol’s advice and be well prepared before stepping out of the gate.
The snow in the trees is fairly good, probably a little better than yesterday’s. Avoid cornices and knolls. Cracks in the Mikaeri bowl area are growing. Glide cracks are forming due to heavy amount of snow, predominantly in south facing aspects. These cracks are forming as the slope is releasing its own tension. They most probably won’t slide right away, however chances of glide avalanches are to be expected. Stay away from slopes without wrinkles under cracks. Do not stay put at the bottom of the valleys. Avalanches strike from above.
There is no 100% safety in the mountains, however most risks can be avoided by making conservative decisions. Beware of sudden weather change and falling in cracks, they are difficult to notice from above. Have a nice day.
---
Thursday 8th February 2018
Resort specific information (operations subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts (apart from King Number 2) should be operating
Official snow depth:
- Top: 420cm
- Base: 200cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts should be operating
Official snow depth:
- Top: 360cm
- Base: 230cm
Niseko Village
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts (apart from the Country Road Chair lift) should be operating
Official snow depth:
- Top: 360cm
- Base: 230cm
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Thursday 8th February 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 923cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 68 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (31st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 406cm reported on 27 days January 2018 snowfall 305cm reported on 26 days February 2018 snowfall 24cm reported on 4 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.