Good morning.

It's a wild morning.

Quickly moving on from the rain last night, this morning we have blizzard like conditions.

Strong westerly winds, visibility limited or just really poor, and lift operations affected. The webcam images below taken around 8am show the situation really.

I am recording 7cm of snow, but the wind is really a factor this morning so there's going to be varying amounts. I imagine there will be fair bit more than that in places. And there should be more through the day.

Official websites are having connection issues - probably too many people checking them out at the same time and giving the server a headache.

As such I can't give you a clear picture of lift operations early on, but it will be limited operations... if at all.

I admire (though don't totally understand!) folk who want to venture out on a day like today. It's not for me though, even if the lifts are moving and I'm sure many will be the same. The Avalanche Report below declares today as an onsen day. I'd say it is more like a toast day, but heck... we can be completely wild and gnarly and do both!

Take care out there.

-----

Niseko Avalanche Report

Mountain Base: -2°, 5cm new snow in last 3hrs, blizzard, snowdrift development. Moiwa 800m: NW 299deg 11.7m/s, -5.3°, heavy blizzard and snowdrift development. Annupuri 1100m: WSW 257deg 15m/s, no temp data, snowdrift development. Yu no Sawa 1000m: WSW 249deg, -7.7°. Niseko Village 900m: WSW 254deg , -6.8°. Hirafu 1000m :E 29deg 5.7m/s(?), -7.8°. Hanazono 720m: N 348deg 4.6m/s, -5.0°. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: WNW 23m/s. Kamui Cape WSW 17m/s, 993hPa, wave 3.7m. Kutchan Weather Station: WSW 8.9m/s, -1.4°. 5cm new snow in last 3 hrs.

The wind started to pick up last night at 9pm, at 4am it increased significantly, over 30m/s on the coast. Rapid snow drift development was observed over 700m this morning. Snow drifts(heavy soft slabs) are fracturing easily on Feb 22nd warm layer. Today, tomorrow avalanche risk is very high. Once the blizzard calms down and wind speed drops below 10m/s the snow will start to stabilize. Don't push your luck during bad weather. The surrounding mountains are in the same condition. Today is an onsen day, but take care driving.

Due to mechanical repairs the avalanche report will be different format from tomorrow. Don't over estimate your equipment, knowledge, experience or skills. Remember knowledge is not experience. Have a good day.

-----

Ski resort operation information: Sunday 23rd February 2020

*** Unable to confirm updates this morning ***

Niseko Grand Hirafu

Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 270cm
- Base: 105cm

All lifts are normally operating EXCEPT:
- Ace Number 1 pair lift (normally rested)
- King Number 2 quad lift (normally rested)

All courses normally open

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: 193cm
- Base: 120cm

All lifts are normally operating

-----

Niseko Annupuri

Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 180cm
- Base: 110cm

All lifts are normally operating

Lift scheduled for late operations:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad until 8:30pm

-----

Niseko Village

Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 190cm
- Base: 110cm

All lifts normally operating EXCEPT:
- Country Road Chair (normally rested)

Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Annupuri Village Gondola until 8:00pm
- Village Express until 8:00pm
- Banzai Chair until 8:00pm