Hello and good morning from nearby Hirafu base.

I have some fresh snow to report this morning. Not a huge amount - just 3cm in fact - so not enough to fill in those tracks. But welcome all the same of course. It is snowing at the moment and snow showers are forecast for the day today and also tomorrow, though it doesn't look like we can expect too much snow from it.

Anyway all areas appear to be opening at the start of the day --- though I am hearing that the top lifts at Hirafu may be delayed due to poor visibility up there --- and we can expect gates to be open. Let's skiing. Or indeed let's boarding.

Today marks the start of the main Odori/Susukino area of the Sapporo Snow Festival over in... Sapporo city. Many visitors to Niseko and Hokkaido enjoy checking the festival out while they are here, and it is certainly worth a look. Some of those snow sculptures are seriously impressive.

---

Niseko Avalanche Report:

Niseko base 5.00am: -3°, 5cm new snow. Moiwa 800m: -6°, SE7.6m/s(midnight 12m/s), 5cm new snow, snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -11°, ESE9.6m/s (midnight 12.1m/s), 10cm new snow, snowpack 330cm. Hirafu 1250m: -9°, E10m/s, 5cm new snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:S4m/s. Kamui Cape: E9m/s, 1003hPa, wave 2.2m.

The low pressure system over the Sea of Japan is bringing a weak snow wind above 800m, causing snowdrift development on the west side, which are becoming slabs. Although slabs are small they are not bonded well to the low pressure snow below them and will easily fracture. Above 1000m the avalanche risk is high. Depending on location, there is possibility of 40cm deep flow type avalanche on 40deg slopes, fracturing on Feb 3 layer. Kozan no Sawa sidewall, the far Higashi One cornice face and Iwaonupuri where soft snowdrifts are not bonded well, expect shallow avalanches from rider stimulation.

All peak gates are expected to be open. Please listen to the patrols advice and prepare before going out of bounds. Helmets and beacons are not mandatory, but are recommended. We are currently under a high pressure system between two lows, the wind is not that strong and snow is good. The number of cracks forming on steeper slopes is increasing. There have been fatalities in the past from falling in them, take care. Also the number of cracks is rapidly increasing in strictly off limits area Haru no Taki. The possibility of a full depth or deep layer avalanche is high here. Do not enter.

Snow conditions are good. Niseko Rules strictly prohibit ducking ropes. Don't duck ropes along the sides of the runs. Beware bad visibility and a sudden change in weather. Have a good day.

---

Monday 5th February 2018

Resort specific information (operations subject to change):

Niseko Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO Resort

Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts (apart from King Number 2) should be operating
- Top lifts delayed opening due to poor visibility

Official snow depth:
- Top: 430cm
- Base: 200cm

Niseko Annupuri Kokusai

Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts should be operating

Official snow depth:
- Top: 360cm
- Base: 240cm

Niseko Village

Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts (apart from the Country Road Chair lift) should be operating

Official snow depth:
- Top: 360cm
- Base: 240cm

---

Floodlit 'nighta' skiing:

Night skiing is planned for every evening at the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area. Ski lifts that are scheduled to be operating for nighta are noted below (subject to change):

* Niseko Grand Hirafu - Ace Family quad, Ace Number 2 quad, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 pair
* Niseko Annupuri - Jumbo Number 1 quad lift
* Niseko Village - Village Express, Upper Village Gondola, Community Chair