Good morning all.

As expected, some pretty wild conditions up here at the moment.

Top lifts and some others were affected by the blizzard conditions yesterday.

It is one of those days when it’s a bit muzukashii to measure exactly how much snow has fallen, with the wind blowing it about and all. In the name of science I have taken a few different measurements today to try and be as fair and representative as possible and I hereby declare my fresh snowfall number for the day as 16cm. I am guessing that there will be considerably more than that in some places.

It is cold this morning and the snow quality seems super light and dry. Just what we like.

Wind persists and all top lifts are on hold again at the start of the day, as are the Niseko Gondola and Annupuri Gondola. Hirafu Gondola is moving.

Be excited but also please be sure to be extra safe out there in these conditions.

Personally, with regular snow still on the forecast for the coming week (maybe a bit of a break tomorrow), I think I am going to sit this one out and perhaps make myself some delicious hamberders.

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Niseko Avalanche Report:

Mountain base 6am: -10℃, 20cm snowfall in 24 hours, snowdrifts developments. Moiwa 800m: -12.1℃, W10m/s, cornices and snowdrifts developing. Mikaeri junction: -12℃, stormy and poor visibility, dense snowdrifts developing and heavy snowfall. Hirafu peak: -16℃, stormy and whiteout. Mizuno no sawa: 16cm snowfall in 24hours, NW15.7m/s, 133cm snow depth. Benkei cape: NNW17m/s, Kamui cape: WNW11m/s, 1007hPa, 3.7m waves. Kutchan weather station: -7.9℃, 135cm snow depth.

A 15-20m/s storm has persisted, making cornices and snowdrifts develop drastically. Snowdrifts up to 150+cm have formed in 24hours, they’re dense and very unstable. An uneven hoar formation due to the changing wind’s speed and direction is present in the upper 50cm of this new layer and are very likely to crush and trigger a slide. The stabilization of the cornices and snowdrifts is slow due to the strong wind. 100cm thick surface slab avalanches from Jan 15th layer are expected in knolls and slopes under cornice. Avalanche hazard is very high in slopes under cornices, knolls and open leeward steep slopes above 800m. Cornice slopes around 900m elevation in O-sawa and 800m Moiwa bowl is very risky. Do not attempt to approach those slopes even if the chairs are running. There’s dense but good snow in the tree runs.

Do not duck ropes to seek fresh lines. One track under the rope will lead many others to follow it and increase the chances of accidents. Stay away from valley bottoms. Beware of frostbites. It’s recommended to finish off riding early and chill at an onsen today. Be safe and have a nice day.

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Ski resort operation information: Friday 18th January 2019
Subject to change due to weather conditions

Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 280cm
- Base: 130cm

Ski lifts operating:
- Top lifts affected by wind
- 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 required).

Niseko HANAZONO Resort

Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 203cm
- Base: 163cm

Ski lifts operating:
- Top Hanazono lift on hold at start of the day
- The Hanazono lifts are normally open until 3:50pm (Number 3 until 3:30pm)

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Niseko Annupuri

Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 265cm
- Base: 140cm

Ski lifts operating:
- Gondola and top lift on hold due to wind at start of the day
- The Jumbo 1 lift is normally open until 8:30pm during the evening

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Niseko Village

Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 270cm
- Base: 140cm

Ski lifts operating:
- Top lifts and Gondola affected by wind
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are normally open until 8:00pm during the evening

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Night time operations are available in the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri resort areas. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO resort area.