Good morning from Niseko.

Yesterday was indeed a fine morning as many good folk scrambled to get up to the top area that had been previously closed due to winds. It was really good up there.

It looks like conditions are going to be changing during the day today. And indeed, I can see a difference in the views outside my window pre-toast (clearer) and current post-toast (cloudier). And the official sources also show the various resorts reporting a somewhat confusing mix of fog, snow, cloud and sun - all reported between 7:30am and 8:15am.

It does feel fairly calm this morning but we are expecting some potentially heavy snowfall tonight.

Feeling cold, but relatively milder temps are due in the daytime before the snow sets in sometime later in the afternoon.

Let's changing conditions!

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Niseko Avalanche Report:

Mountain Base 6.00am: -7.5°, trace new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: -8.2°, E1.1m/s, 5cm new snow, no snowdrift development, calm. Annupuri 1120m: snow depth 200cm. Hirafu Peak: -10°, strong wind overnight causing about 15cm snowdrift development. Mizuno no Sawa: -9.11°, SW3.6m/s, 1285 riders yesterday. Kutchan Weather Station: -9.7°, snow depth 147cm. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: SSW4m/s. Kamui Cape: S7m/s, 1009hPa, wave 1.5m.

There is very shallow atmospheric pressure gradient and the seas and mountains are calm. From data and observation the general avalanche risk is low. All gates are expected to be open. Please listen to the patrols advice and be prepared before going out of bounds. Above 1000m there has been minor snowdrift development and surface is reset. Below 800m tracks remain. A low pressure system is approaching, be ready for a sudden change in weather. Keep on eye on the Jan 22-23 layer in the future snowpack due to a significant temperature gradient.

Because the winds have been light the snow has settled in the trees making a beautiful scene. Do not enter strictly off limits area Haru no Taki. If you are caught you will be banned from riding all Niseko resorts. Best to follow the rules. The official Niseko Rules are there to protect your freedom to ride out of bounds while also maintaining a minimum level of safety. Do not disregard the rules. Have a good day.

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Ski resort operation information: Wednesday 23rd January 2019
Subject to change due to weather conditions

Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 315cm
- Base: 150cm

Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts should be operating as normal (the King Number 2 quad closed)
- 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: 235cm
- Base: 181cm

Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts should be operating as normal
- 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:
- All lifts should be operating as normal
- 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: 280cm
- Base: 140cm

Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts should be operating as normal (the lazy Country Road lift closed)
- 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.