Hello to you all, and this morning I have fresh snow to report. Hurray!

But don't get too excited though just yet... 3cm.

It's definitely a much colder start to the day which is a good thing and tomorrow should be colder still. The forecast still has a lot of snow lined up over the coming week too.

The storm is due to begin sometime today. Let's see it happen!

---

A follow up to the message we posted yesterday

Just wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone who sent us messages of support and comments following the message that we posted on the report pages yesterday.

It was really encouraging to read all the sincere comments that we have received. And from so many people as well. Must admit, we were a bit shocked at the response! We really appreciate it.

Some people asked what they can do to help us. Probably the biggest help is to simply let other people know about SnowJapan and what we do. Either by just telling friends who might be interested, or by posting a link to any page within SnowJapan.com (links are a big help; no need to ask). While we are already highly discoverable on these here internets, believe it or not there are still folk out there who haven’t found us! ;)

Again, thank you very much for your comments and support and sorry that we can’t reply to them all individually.

---

Niseko Avalanche Report:

Niseko base 6am: -6℃, 5cm new snow. Moiwa850m: -8℃, W5m/s, 20cm snowdrifts from easterly winds, 10cm new snow. Annupuri 1150M: -11℃, W10m/s, 15cm new snow at 1000m. Hirafu1200m: -14℃, snowing and no snowdrift development. Kamui cape lighthouse: WSW10m/s, 1008hPa, 2.2m waves.

The barometric pressure gradient is low and wind is stagnating below 10m/s westerly, however is forecasted to pick up and a storm will kick in above 1000m around noon. The snow in the forest around 800m elevation is mostly reset. A hoar layer (Jan 9th) is present under the present snowfall and could potentially become a trigger layer in the future snowpack. Beware of sluff laying on top of hard-pack steep slopes.

Make sure to leash your board and double check your brakes on your fat-skis.

Gates opening is yet to be decided, please respect the ski patrol’s decisions. Ducking ropes is severely restricted in Niseko. Do not duck ropes.

---

Resort specific opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):

Niseko Grand Hirafu
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Niseko Village
Niseko Annupuri
All resort areas appear to be opening as planned at the start of the day.

---

Official resort snow depths as of Tuesday 10th January 2017:

Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 235cm
Base - 85cm

Niseko Village
Top - 150cm
Base - 100cm

Niseko Annupuri
Top - 155cm
Base - 95cm

---

Night skiing is planned until Monday 20th March 2017 at the Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village resort areas. There is no nighta in the Hanazono area.