Niseko Now: Friday 8th March 2019
- Mar 8, 2019
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 900cm
Posted on Friday 8th March 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I was able to get an early lift yesterday which was a real novelty. I suppose I should get too used to that feeling! There was some cloud around at times, but lots of blue sky too and a fine day was had. It was also nice to find a dusting of snow on the mountain, though it wasn't more than a cm or two in places.
There is quite a lot of cloud hanging over the mountain early this morning though some blue sky and sunshine casting shadows. There is lots of blue sky over towards Mt Yotei, who is sporting a very fashionable flat hat early on. As you do.
All lifts appear to be opening as planned this morning, though hearing about stronger winds higher up.
Is that a chance of some snow early next week? I think it might be. That would be a bonus. Before then generally fine and milder weather should continue over the weekend.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Mountain base 6am: -7℃, no new snow, radiative cooling. Moiwa800m: -7.8℃, NW6.53m/s, no new snow, snowdrifts developments. Annupuri 1100m: -11.1℃, NW4.0m/s, 1120m: 250cm snow depth. Hirafu peak: strong wind, -11℃, 1000m: -11.0℃, N10.7m/s. Mizuno no Sawa: -9.94℃, NW5.1m/s, 134cm snow depth at base. Kutchan weather station: -5.5℃, NW0.7m/s, 127cm snow depth. Benkei cape: NNE7m/s, Kamui cape: N5m/s, 1015hPa, 0.7m waves.
Clear sky with strong northerly wind in higher elevation. Shallow snowdrifts are developing in SE aspects above 800m. The clouds on top of Yotei are signs of 20+m/s winds at 1500m elevation. Gates opening is dependant on peak chairs operations. Please follow the ski patrol’s instructions and never duck ropes. Icy condition is found on both courses and the out of bounds areas. Beware of loosing control. The snow will soften up slightly after 10am. Beware of cracks and falling cornices. Avalanches do happen when the conditions align, no matter the amount of snowfall. Avalanches are natural occurrences and is not a problem unless somebody is caught in it. Avoid riding down to the bottom of the valleys. Have a nice day.
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Ski resort operation information: Friday 8th March 2019
Subject to change due to weather conditions
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Plans to be open until Monday 6th May 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 320cm
- Base: 120cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts opening as normal at the start of the day (Ace Number 1 pair and King Number 2 quad rested)
- The Ace Family quad (until 8:30pm), Ace Center 4 quad (8:20pm), Hirafu Gondola (until 8:10pm) and Holiday Number 1 pair (until 8:30pm) lifts are normally open during the evening
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Plans to be open until Sunday 7th April 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 236cm
- Base: 180cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts opening as normal at the start of the day
- The Hanazono lifts are normally open until 3:50pm (Number 3 until 3:30pm)
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Niseko Annupuri
Plans to be open until Monday 6th May 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 300cm
- Base: 110cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts opening as normal at the start of the day
- The Jumbo 1 lift is normally open until 8:30pm during the evening
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Niseko Village
Plans to be open until Sunday 7th April 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 300cm
- Base: 110cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts opening as normal at the start of the day (Country Road lift rested)
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are normally open until 8:00pm during the evening
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Friday 8th March 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 900cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 79 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (29th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 333cm reported on 26 days January 2019 snowfall 285cm reported on 25 days February 2019 snowfall 198cm reported on 20 days March 2019 snowfall 0cm |
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.