It's supposed to be pretty windy today. A lot of the people around Hirafu are going to call it a down day. By the popularity of last night's bar scene, I would say it looks like there are going to be a lot of regrets in about an hour. If for some reason (quite possible) it doesn't get windy, the snow that fell last night should be enough to cover tracks and refresh the area.

We are looking at a couple clear days and then potentially a lot of snow to fall around Thursday and Friday of this week. Again, this is later in the week, so it's hard to predict. At the moment, we can just hope for the best.

Current Official Snow Depths:

Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 395cm
Bottom - 220cm

Niseko Village:
Top - 420cm
Bottom - 250cm

Annupuri:
Top - 445cm
Bottom - 230cm

Niseko avalanche report:

Moiwa base 6am: -10C, 20cm of snow in the last 12 hours. 30cm of broken snow crystals in the last 24 hours. 800m elevation poor visibility, westerly wind and wind driven snow.
Benkei Cape NW 20m/s, Kamui Cape wave 2.1m, pressure 1013 hpa, Annupuri Peak NNW 19.7m/s, temp -18.5C,
Snowfall: At 800m elevation on the north and west side of the mountain, snowdrift and cornice development over 150cm. The new snowdrifts will easily fracture.
Snow Pit Datal: 12th Feb, 50cm heavy windslab. Above 4th Feb layer is compacted and stabilsed. 29 Jan low presure snowfall layer.
Hazard Evaluation: A strong wind continues along with blowing snow and snow drift development. Not a lot of snow has fallen but it has been transported to leeward slopes all over the mountain.
Caution: Coordinates C4-D5, E6-F5, H7-H8 ,open steep slopes a 50cm avalanche will easily occur from skier stimulation. A lot of accidents occur during low pressure storms or shortly after. If the slope orientation, elevation and snow conditions are right an avalanche will occur. If there are people there there will be an accident.
Gates: For skier safety all gates over 800m will be closed today. Please respect the ski patrols decision.
Dont duck ropes and enter off limit areas, you will loose your pass. Please read and understand the Niseko Rules
Have a safe day

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Late update:

It was a windy one today! We saw some terrible visibility and a TON of car accidents. While the snow was super deep in the gulleys at Rusutsu, the very cold temps, poor visibility, and wind made it quite the adventure. It was definitely a well earned day. The weather is going to be all over the place tomorrow. Some wind, warm temps, snow, and sunshine are looking to make themselves present. The snow is going to be amazing once the low pressure moves out.

Please, please, please be careful if you are wanting to travel in the backcountry. The slopes are going to be heavily windloaded and cornices will fall. In addition to this, the amount of snowfall we saw today was around 20cm, so don't be in a rush...it will be there. Stay warm and safe!