Good morning everyone and welcome to the start of another week as we approach the middle of December.

I recall mentioning the chance of some rain in my report yesterday and hoping that it wouldn't happen. There may have been some wet snow falling overnight but sadly, the first thing I saw this morning was rain early on.

Doh.

Happily, it has not been a downpour and more like an annoying drizzle and it seems to have eased off for the moment. Things are mainly just cloudy - and a bit foggy - right now.

It feels noticeably milder this morning as well.

I notice that the Niseko Avalanche Report is reporting some wet snow above 800m, so while we got a wet down here at base it looks like it has been snow up top. Not light fluffy powder snow though... and I'm not sure my Niigata-residing friends will be too pleased to see the comparison with the quality of their snow!

Anyway.

With sleet/snow possible at times today, tomorrow should see some good changes with a return to much colder conditions and a return to snowfall. Hurray!

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Niseko Avalanche Report:

Niseko base 6.00am: +2°, light winds, sleet. Moiwa 800m : -2°, 5cm wet snow, snowdrift development around midnight from southerly wind. Annupuri 1000m: -5°,light westerly wind, 10cm new snow in early morning. Hirafu 1000m, -2°, trace new snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:S6m/s. Kamui Cape SSE6m/s, 997hPa, wave 0.8m.

A low pressure system is passing through the Sea of Japan, drawing warm air from the south into the area. Above 1000m the wind is starting to move around to the west and will become stronger through the day. Snow today is similar to Niigata - wet. If the depth of wet snow increases cliffs, lift lines and other steep slopes, heavy “tofu” like avalanches will easily occur. After the low pressure system passes, the wind is expected to pick up, bringing rapid cornice and snow drift growth. From this mornings observation the general avalanche risk is low, however it is expected to rise sharply during the day.

Snow conditions vary from day to day, one day good the next can be bad. Most avalanche accidents happen in bad weather. Today is a good day to stay in the ski resorts. From observation and snowfall transition, south facing steep slopes like Haru no Taki, the avalanche risk will be increasing through the day. Do not duck ropes and to enter Strictly Off Limits areas seeking fresh snow. Please respect and follow Niseko Rules. Moiwa Gate 6 will be closed.

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Monday 11th December 2017

What's planned to be open today in Niseko (subject to change):

Niseko Grand Hirafu

Lifts operating:
- Ace Number 3 Pair lift
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift (nighta)
- Ace Family quad lift (nighta)
- King Number 3 quad lift
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair lift
- Swinging Monkey

* All courses are open apart from Large and Dynamic.

Niseko HANAZONO Resort

Lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad lift
- Hanazono Number 2 quad lift
- Hanazono Number 3 quad lift

* All lifts are operating

Niseko Annupuri Kokusai

Lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift (nighta)
- Jumbo Number 2 quad lift
- Dream Number 1 quad lift

* Utopia, Shirakaba, Silver, Panorama, "S" ji, Paradise, Family, Dynamic and Junior courses are open.

Niseko Village

Lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola
- Banzai Chair
- Community Chair (nighta)
- Upper Village Gondola (nighta)
- Village Express (nighta)

* Top of Gondola to base is skiable.

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Official resort snow depths on Monday 11th December 2017:

Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 215cm
Base - 80cm

Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Top - 135cm
Base - 80cm

Niseko Village
Top - 145cm
Base - 80cm

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Floodlit 'nighta' skiing:
Scheduled daily at Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri.
There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area.