Niseko Now: Saturday 8th February 2020
- Feb 8, 2020
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 577cm
Posted on Saturday 8th February 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
There were some very, very cold temperatures being reported yesterday - throughout Japan, it seems, but particularly up here in Hokkaido. I might not like the cold for a few moments before I get up in a morning, but once I'm up and had some toast I like it at all other times. It's one reason why we enjoy such lovely snow up here. Some people who visit are certainly shocked though... so do come prepared!
This morning I have 10cm to add to my report from here close to Hirafu base, from yesterday and a little overnight - not enough for a total reset but still, I would expect some good conditions to enjoy this morning.
We have some varied weather conditions early morning with lots of cloud over on our mountain side, and some blue sky and sunshine over in other directions. Actually, there is more sun shining through over here since I started putting this report together and some blue to be seen through the thin clouds. (Might it be clearing up, I wonder... we are expecting more snow, so maybe not.)
Hopefully we will be on the receiving end of more snow over the next few days.
I hope that you have a good Saturday.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base: -8.9°, 5cm new snow in last 12hrs, light NW winds. Moiwa 800m: N16deg 4.8m/s , -12.2°, minor snowdrift development. Yu no Sawa 1000m: N 16deg 5.1m/s, -15.0°. Niseko Village 900m:NNE 343deg 5.1m/s, -14.1°. Hirafu 1000m : NNE 343deg (speed:no data) , -15.1°. Hanazono 720m: NNW 333deg 3.8m/s, -12.4°. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NNE8m/s. Kamui Cape N8m/s, 1016hPa, wave 1.4m.
The winter type pressure pattern continues bringing cold air into the area. Above 800m a northerly wind is fluctuating around 10m/s with minor snowdrift and cornice development. The mountain has generally been reset by 15-20cm snowdrifts. General avalanche risk is low and all gates are expected to be open. Please listen to the patrols advice and be prepared before going out the gates. The snow is good on and off-piste. Take care though.
A 20m/s wind can build heavy snowdrifts on leeward slopes in a very short time. The stronger the storm the faster this happens, making a dangerous situation very quickly. Many accidents happen in these conditions. Think before you enter a leeward valley during a blizzard too avoid the storm. Do not wait around on steep slopes or valley floors. Our decisions are always being questioned in the winter mountains. Have a good day.
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Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 270cm
- Base: 125cm
All lifts are normally operating EXCEPT:
- Ace Number 1 pair lift (normally rested)
- King Number 2 quad lift (normally rested)
All courses normally open
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Ace Family quad until 8:30pm
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad until 8:20pm
- Hirafu Gondola until 8:10pm
- Holiday Number 1 pair until 8:30pm
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 205cm
- Base: 133cm
All lifts are normally operating
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 170cm
- Base: 115cm
All lifts are normally operating
Lift scheduled for late operations:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad until 8:30pm
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 200cm
- Base: 120cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT:
- Country Road Chair (normally rested)
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Annupuri Village Gondola until 8:00pm
- Village Express until 8:00pm
- Banzai Chair until 8:00pm
Niseko Now 2019-2020 season |
Data as of Saturday 8th February 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 577cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 58 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 33cm (21st January) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 207cm reported on 21 days January 2020 snowfall 224cm reported on 20 days February 2020 snowfall 61cm reported on 7 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.