And a very good morning to you from here in Hirafu.

It's very good news this morning. There is a lovely 26cm of fresh light snowfall by my measuring point this morning; and of course probably more than that higher up. Indeed if you look below at the Avalanche Report they are reporting 40cm and more in places.

It was snowing earlier on this morning, but as I put this report together it seems to have eased off for the moment. Still, snow is forecast during the day today (and well beyond today) so it will likely start up again quickly.

With the top lifts and gates being closed for a few days, once they open up again - hopefully this morning with less wind - and with all of this fresh snowfall, things are going to be... I'm almost tempted to use one of my self-banned cheesy words here, but will refrain... things are surely going to be... really excellent.

Lots of people lining up for first lifts early this morning. Come on, give us a wave!

Official snow depths don't mean that much really, especially on a day to day basis, but I notice this morning that the upper snow depth at Niseko Grand Hirafu is up to 4m this morning.

Hurray!

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This is totally unconfirmed, but I have heard on the grapevine that there may be one or two people from Australia here in Niseko at the moment. ;)

And to those good folk and everyone reading these reports from that lovely place... have a Happy Australia Day!

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Niseko Avalanche Report:

Niseko base 5am: -10℃, 30cm snowfall, Moiwa 800m: -10.5℃, NW11.6m/s, 40cm, cornices and wind-drifts developing, bad visibility. Annupuri 1150m: -11℃, Northerly 10m/s with gusts, 50cm with large wind loads. Hirafu peak: -14℃, light breeze, 40cm snowfall. Benkei cape: NNW12m/s, Kamui cape: N13m/s, 998hPa, 3.5m waves.

Stormy condition continues under a typical winter pressure distribution, generating huge snowfall with drastic and large cornices & snowdrifts developments above 800m elevation. Cornices are very unstable and collapses easily. The snowpack is starting to stabilize as the wind is calming down, however avalanche risk in slopes under cornices and with heavy snow-load is very high. The storm is forecasted to pick up during the day and snowdrifts will continue developing.

All gates are being prepared to open, however will be time dependent. Please follow the patrol’s instructions. Do not enter cornices/snowdrifts slopes, and do not stay put at the bottom of the valleys. Most avalanche accidents happen during bad weather. Avalanches occur naturally, but would not be an issue if nobody is caught in one. Adjust your plans according to the weather condition and never over-estimate your knowledge and skills. The snow in the trees is deep and in excellent conditions.

We start seeing people ignoring the Rules and going into strictly off-limits areas. The community will not tolerate people that disregard the Rules with their own selfish excuses. Have a nice pow day.

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Friday 26th January 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
- 'Early Morning' services from 8:00am until 8:20am (Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift). Until 28th January. 500 yen special ticket required.

Official snow depth:
- Top: 400cm
- Base: 210cm

Niseko Annupuri Kokusai

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

Official snow depth:
- Top: 300cm
- Base: 180cm

Niseko Village

Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts apart from the Country Road Chair lift should be operating
- 'Early Gondola' service from 7:30am until 8:30am (Niseko Gondola). January 27th-28th; February 3rd-4th. 1,400 yen special ticket required.

Official snow depth:
- Top: 300cm
- Base: 180cm

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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, Banzai Chair