Niseko Now: Saturday 8th March 2014
- Mar 8, 2014
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 30, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 20cm
Snowfall at base this season 1113cm
Posted on Saturday 8th March 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Nearly another 20cm of snow this morning in Hirafu as this storm continues.
If only there was less wind... yesterday the wind caused lots of lift disruption and this morning strong winds persist and top lifts are once again now open. The good news is that the wind should hopefully ease off during the day today, so fingers crossed that will be sooner than later.
It remains cold and visibility is very limited in places this morning. If you brave the weather though you're likely to be rewarded by some great snow. Avalanche report advising people to stay on the slopes today and not take risks in these conditions.
This snowfall is forecast to continue a while longer so I'll give you an update on that tomorrow.
This first part of March is looking good indeed!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -8C, 30cm of fresh, developing snowdrifts. Moiwa 800m: -12C, stormy, bad visibility, large development of unstable snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m: W16m/s, -13C, developing snowdrifts. Hirafu 1000m: -12C, snowdrifts and knolls growing big in Higashi-one. Peak 1308m: W17.6m/s, -16.3C. Coastal data: cape Benkei NW12m/s, cape Kamui W16m/s, 3.2m waves, 1005hPa.
According to coastal data and present status, the wind is starting to calm down, however still strong and snowdrifts are continuing to grow. The avalanche risk in the Niseko range and the surrounding mountains is extreme. Snow-crystal needles brake under strong wind and forms heavy slabs of broken crystal snow. Characteristic of this snow is that it’s slow, catchy and not much spray. They are also very unstable, especially in steep slopes and can easily trigger a slide. Most accidents occur during and just after storms. Do not traverse across to the other side of the valley from gate 8 (located next to Annupuri gondola exit). Very hazardous today. Same for gate 4, do not traverse across to access backside Higashi-One. Let the storm pass and the snow stabilize before accessing the out of bounds areas. Accidents can be avoided by acknowledging the risks. Better stay inbounds today. All gates above 800m will be closed; do not duck ropes. This information is being written for the sake of all resort users.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 420cm
Base - 210cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 390cm
Base - 220cm
Annupuri:
Top - 390cm
Base - 210cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Saturday 8th March 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 1113cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 86 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (14th January) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days December 2013 snowfall 275cm reported on 22 days January 2014 snowfall 461cm reported on 29 days February 2014 snowfall 178cm reported on 20 days March 2014 snowfall 76cm reported on 6 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.