Morning from Niseko.

I have around 10cm or so of very nice quality snowfall to report in the village area this morning - a light delivery both in terms of cm and quality of snow.

The sun is out for the moment and while looking over in the direction of Yotei I can't see that particularly mountain, there is lots of blue sky above the resorts here in Niseko with just a bit of cloud hanging around up there.

Wind on the mountain again today, I'm afraid, with wind speeds of up to 20m/s. Somewhat inevitably, lifts are affected and the top lifts at each of the resort areas are not operating this morning.

At Grand Hirafu it's the top Ace Number 4, King Number 3 and King Number 4 lifts that are affected as well as the Hanazono Number 3 quad over on the Hanazono side. At Niseko Village, the Gondola and Wonderland Chair are not moving at the time of writing. Over at Annupuri, the Annupuri Gondola, Jumbo 3 and Jumbo 4 lifts are on hold with just the Jumbo 1 and Jumbo 2 lifts open. All subject to change of course if conditions allow, but strong winds are forecast for the day...

Friday and Saturday look set to be somewhat warmer, with a return to colder conditions hopefully from Sunday.

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Official Resort Snow Depths

Grand Hirafu & Niseko Hanazono
Top - 400cm
Bottom - 190cm

Niseko Annupuri
Top - 330cm
Bottom - 230cm

Niseko Village
Top - 375cm
Bottom - 220cm

Avalanche Information:

Niseko base 6am: -6C, 5cm of crystal snow. Moiwa 800m: -8C, moderate development of snowdrift and the slopes are recovered. Annupuri peak: N16.1m/s, -12.7℃. Annupuri 1000m snowpack: 330cm. Coastal data: N11m/s, 1.3m waves and 102hPa.

Although the atmospheric pressure gradient is relatively flat, a moderate northerly storm is persisting in areas above 1000m. The weather is forecasted to calm down in the morning. 30cm thick surface slab avalanches from Jan 28-29th layer are likely to occur in Kozannosawa (Backbowl) 1200m area, Higashione 900m area. The newly formed snowdrift slabs will remain unstable in the morning, but the overall avalanche risk is moderate.

Peak gates are scheduled to open at 10am, feel free to ask advice from the ski-patrol before stepping out the gates. Ducking ropes is prohibited at all time.

It seems more and more schools are taking children skiing in the out of bounds areas, we strongly hope that the group leader is teaching the kids the Rules as well as the risks involved in going in such areas. It is good to give the kids adventurous opportunities, but it is the mentor's responsibility to explain the dangers and have them understood by the kids.

Do not traverse under cornices, beware of cracks/crevasses, and better not overestimate technology, experience or skills. Think safe!