Niseko Now: Thursday 9th January 2020
- Jan 9, 2020
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 379cm
Posted on Thursday 9th January 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Well, we have what can be best described as a dusting of snowfall to report this morning. Just about enough for me to record 1cm on this report. A bit windy overnight, so perhaps a little more in places (and none in others).
There is a lot of cloud around still early morning but blue sky in places too and we are forecast sunshine so maybe the clouds will disperse.
It will probably be Sunday before I can get to report more fresh snowfall to you, so we need to play with what we got for the moment.
Personally, if it isn't going to snow I hope that the sun comes out to give us some fine views to enjoy (though please don't warm things up!)
Good to see that gate 11 is expected to open this morning.
But... as I prepare this report to go up at 8:30am it looks like naughty wind is going to be affecting some lifts at the start of the day - the top lifts at Hanazono, Hirafu and Village are all on hold and the Village and Annupuri gondolas are moving at a reduced speed. Perhaps they might get going depending on how conditions pan out.
Take care out there.
-----
Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6.00am: -4°, no new snow, strong winds, snowdrift development. Moiwa 800m: -6.9°, NE10.1m/s (73 deg)(max overnight 30m/s), snowdrift development. Hirafu 1000m: 1.1m/s 252 deg(ESE), -8.6°. Hanazono 720m: 6.3m/s 343 deg(NNW), -6.7°. Annupuri 1000m: snowdepth 135cm. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: ENE7m/s. Kamui Cape NE2m/s, 1010hPa, wave 2.1m.
A low pressure system to the east has caused strong NE winds to hit the west side of the mountains at elevations above 600m. Although little snow has fallen cornice and snowdrift development has been rapid and are breaking with slight stimulation.
The avalanche risk is high on knolls and cornice slopes above 800m due to the strong N, NE winds. A shallow hard surface avalanche is likely to occur from a 10cm hard slab that has formed on the Kozan no Sawa(Back Bowl) side wall around 1000m. This type of avalanche is dangerous due to the high speeds it travels.
Mizuno no Sawa Gate 11 is expected to open today. Do not duck rope to enter Haru No Taki area. Please listen to the patrols advice before going into out of bounds areas. Be careful of creeks and bushes in the bottom of valleys.
Snowdrift growth has been significant due to the strong winds and avalanche risk is extremely high in some areas this morning. Avalanches occur when conditions are met, regardless of the amount of snow. If people are involved there will be an accident. Make cautious decisions based on the situation.
-----
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 210cm
- Base: 70cm
All lifts are normally operating
All courses normally open EXCEPT the following:
- Miharashi
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
-----
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 135cm
- Base: 80cm
All lifts are normally operating
-----
Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 145cm
- Base: 95cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT the following:
- Jumbo Number 4
Lift scheduled for late operations:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad until 8:30pm
-----
Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 140cm
- Base: 100cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT the following:
- Country Road (which is normally rested anyway)
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 Thursday 9th January 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 379cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 38 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 26cm (2nd January) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 207cm reported on 21 days January 2020 snowfall 87cm 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.