Niseko Now: Wednesday 9th January 2019
- Jan 9, 2019
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 20cm
Snowfall at base this season 531cm
Posted on Wednesday 9th January 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Another 20cm to report to you this morning measured from just outside my top secret lair close to Hirafu base area.
Pesky strong winds were messing with a few top lifts in the middle of the day yesterday. The good part of that is that today if everywhere is open - which seems to be the case at the start of the day - there should be some fine untracked snow up there to enjoy.
For the first time in a while, forecasts don't show that much snow in the upcoming week. There might even be more sunny conditions than whiteout snowy ones. Some people will be happy with that. All was ask is for some regular top-ups in between the nice weather, and hopefully temps will remain low. Doesn't look like there's much to worry about on that score.
Let's enjoying!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -7℃, light storm, 25cm snowfall in 24 hours. Moiwa 800m: -10.3℃, W13.7m/s, snowdrifts and cornices are developing. Mikaeri: no data. Hirafu peak: -14℃, N18m/s, 25cm snow in 24 hours with 50cm snowdrifts. Mizuno no sawa: -12.5℃, NNW5.5m/s. Kutchan weather station: -5.4℃, snow depth 138cm. Coastal data Benkei cape: N14m/s, Kamui cape N10m/s, 1013hPa, 2.3m waves.
The atmospheric pressure gradient is getting steeper and mountains are in a stormy condition. The cornices have developed up to 100cm in 24hours, snowdrifts are drastically accumulating in leeward slopes. Cornices are very unstable and snowdrifts will crack very rapidly. The avalanche risk in leeward slopes above 800m is very high today.
Peak gates will be closed. Do not cross ropes to step out of bounds. The snow in the tree runs under 800m is good, however it is strongly recommended not venture out too far from the ski resorts today.
Stay out of strictly off limits areas. We strongly hope that everybody pays a little more attention to the official Rules and Information of the Niseko Community.
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Ski resort operation information: Wednesday 9th January 2019
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report. Subject to change!
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 300cm
- Base: 150cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart are normally operating
- 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
- The Center Four lift will be open from 8:00am until 8:20am until 31st January 2019. (500 yen charge).
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 214cm
- Base: 165cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All Hanazono lifts are normally operating
- The Hanazono lifts are normally open until 3:50pm (Number 3 until 3:30pm)
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono Courses:
- All official courses are now available
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 240cm
- Base: 130cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All Annupuri lifts are normally operating
- The Jumbo 1 lift is normally open until 8:30pm during the evening
- Annupuri First run from 7:20am until 8:20am on 12th, 13th, 14th January. (1,500 yen charge).
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 250cm
- Base: 140cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart from the Country Road Chair are normally operating
- 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 Wednesday 9th January 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 531cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 43 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 114cm reported on 9 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.