Niseko Now: Friday 8th January 2016
- Jan 8, 2016
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 11cm
Snowfall at base this season 368cm
Posted on Friday 8th January 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
There's more snow to report this morning, 11cm of new fresh around my place. I was kind of expecting more this morning with the continued snowfall, but let's perhaps not get too greedy.
Visibility looks more limited this morning as the snow continues to fall, sometimes heavier than others. As I write this report it is snowing lightly.
And that forecast... well, it is still showing consistent snowfall and low temperatures over the coming week. Conditions are really great at the moment and the regular top-ups over the coming week probably mean that the good times are going to continue.
We couldn't ask for much more than that.
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Yesterday I mentioned the Niseko Grand Hirafu early morning service, so this morning I thought I would gather up the other similar things going on at the other resorts. Monday 11th January is a national holiday in Japan - 'Coming of Age Day' - and to celebrate Niseko Annupuri and Niseko Village resorts are also offering early services. And here are the details:
Niseko Grand Hirafu 'Early Morning'
Dates: Saturday 9th January until Sunday 31st January 2016
Time: 8:00am until 8:20am
Cost: 500 yen
Details: Ace Number 2 Quad lift with the Super, Furiko, Green, Alpen and Sen-no-ki courses open
Niseko Annupuri 'First Run'
Dates: Saturday 9th, Sunday 10th, Monday 11th January 2016
Time: 7:20am until 8:20am
Cost: 1,000 yen
Details: Gondola operation
Niseko Village 'Early Morning Gondola'
Dates: Saturday 9th, Sunday 10th, Monday 11th January 2016
Time: 7:30am until 8:30am
Cost: 1,300 yen
Details: Gondola operation
It's important to note that these early morning lift operations require special tickets, which basically means that you have to pay extra for them. Season tickets and normal day passes cannot be used. So if you want to lay down first tracks up there, then you need to get out your change. In the case of bad weather conditions any or all of these may be cancelled.
Good timing with the snow and weather and it can be fantastic, I did it once myself. Personally though I can't help but feel that it would be good if they could all just open up early for everyone and drop the extra charges, but I suppose the 'premium' aspect then disappears doesn't it.
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And talking of first runs...
Hirafu Ace Number 2 Quad lift early morning webcam watch!
Following on from my highly scientific observations yesterday, I thought I would give it another go this morning. I actually started putting this report together at 7:45am and there were no people there yet, other than staff. The first people arrived to wait for the lift at 7:59am and the line was longer than the photo could cope with by 8:12am. I wonder how long it gets by the time the lift starts. I must admit I haven't been there at the start of a day in quite a number of years (other things keep me busy around that time!)
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko Base 6am: -5℃, 10cm snowfall, light development of snowdrifts. Moiwa 800m: -8℃, 20cm snowfall with development of snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m: -11℃, W15m/s, 10cm new snow on the courses and development of snowdrifts. Hirafu 1000m: -10℃, 15cm snowfall and snowdrifts developing slowly. Coastal data: Benkei cape NW17m/s, Kamui cape WSW12m/s, 1009hPa, 2.6m waves.
Isobars are momentarily narrowing in the winter pressure distribution chart generating snowdrifts development above 800m elevation. The snowfall amount is not big but weak and easily collapsible new slabs have formed under cornices and knoll terrain above 900m elevation. Better not traverse or group-ride these features. The avalanche risk is considerable in 40°slopes above 1000m. Be well aware and prepared. The snow under treeline is wind-packed suitable for skiing, overhead conditions in some places. Cornices are unstable and could fall anytime. Most gates are scheduled to open, please follow the ski patrol’s instructions. Have a nice day.
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Friday 8th January 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 368cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 28 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (26th and 28th December) November 2015 snowfall 61cm reported on 4 days December 2015 snowfall 244cm reported on 17 days January 2016 snowfall 63cm 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.