Niseko Now: Thursday 9th March 2017
- Mar 9, 2017
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 3, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 14cm
Snowfall at base this season 653cm
Posted on Thursday 9th March 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
There's more fresh snow to report this morning, so following on from yesterday today should also be very nice out there on the mountain.
14cm on the ground and more adding to it as snow is falling at a fair rate as I write this report. It's not likely to see the day out though and tomorrow and over the weekend we can probably expect slightly milder conditions. We shall see.
A few top lifts are affected by wind at the start of the day - more on that, as always, below.
Limited visibility out there at the moment. Go out prepared and have fun!
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base: -6℃, 15cm snowfall. Moiwa 800m: -8℃, 20cm snowfall. Annupuri 1150m: -13℃, W15m/s, 20cm snowfall. Hirafu peak: -11℃, W10m/s, 20cm snowfall. Sea of Japan Kamui cape lighthouse: SW9m/s, 997hPa, 1.4m waves. Benkei cape: NW12m/s.
The snowdrifts are stabilizing as they grow, however caution is required in areas, such as the Backbowl’s 1000m elevation, where the wind affected the slabs development. All gates are scheduled to open. Remember to stay away from valley bottoms.
The strictly off limits areas were set because they were necessary in order to set the new Rules. The riding of the other out of bounds areas was guaranteed in exchange to those off-limits areas. Many people deny the Rules, saying it’s just local unofficial rules, while they, consciously or unconsciously, reap benefit from those Rules. It is those kind of interpretation that made the number of people riding the Haru no Taki area rise.
We beg to all of you who go to Haru no Taki, please refrain from going there. There are good reasons for having that place restricted. Your track will lead others to follow it and eventually end up in an accident. Mizuno no Sawa is open because it is being controlled, however the next valley, Haru no Taki is not controlled. The risk out there is very high today.
4 generations of local Omichi family are participating to the Mayor’s cup ski tournament in Moiwa on the 19th. 84, 54, 30 and 6 y/o. Omichi family is leaving a remarkable track in the Japanese Ski Realm. Skiing/snowboarding is not just about powder snow. Have a nice day.
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Resort specific opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
The top Ace Number 4 and King Number 4 lifts are on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Hanazono appears to be open as planned at the start of the day.
Niseko Village
The top Wonderland Chair lift is on hold at the start of the day.
Niseko Annupuri
Annupuri appears to be open as planned at the start of the day.
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Official resort snow depths as of Thursday 9th March 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 360cm
Base - 160cm
Niseko Village
Top - 315cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 315cm
Base - 160cm
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Night skiing is planned until Monday 20th March 2017 at the Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village resort areas. There is no nighta in the Hanazono area.
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Thursday 9th March 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 653cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 77 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 181cm reported on 22 days January 2017 snowfall 152cm reported on 18 days February 2017 snowfall 160cm reported on 19 days March 2017 snowfall 50cm reported on 4 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.