This morning started off with a bit of snow, but currently it is cloudy and a bit warm. It's not as warm as it has been the past few days, but getting slightly cooler. Yesterday and last night saw a dusting on the top and a bit of snowdrifting. Although there was very little snow at the base, it is still better than nothing! We are still keeping our fingers crossed for more snow here...certainly not ready for winter to be done with quite yet.

Backcountry travel is fine in most places. The north facing, high elevation aspects will be the ones you want to ski on. If you want to get adventurous, Yotei is there and the snow inside the crater up top is not too bad. The back bowls of Niseko are still holding snow quite well also.

The forecast is still saying the same about some possible snow on Tuesday or Wednesday so we keep on hoping there. There are some parties in town tonight for closings and something to do for the lack of snow - this often happens in March once the peak of the season is passed though, so nothing to get alarmed about. I hope everyone has a great night.

While the snow may not be optimal at the moment and there aren't lift lines to contend with, there are still quite a few people here enjoying Niseko - there's plenty of people out on the slopes and the main Hirafu village and accommodations are decently active. No doubt some people are ready to get after it when the next snowfall hopefully arrives!

Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 405cm
Bottom - 200cm

Niseko Village:
Top - 450cm
Bottom - 190cm

Annupuri:
Top - 480cm
Bottom - 210cm

Niseko Avalanche Report:

Niseko base 6am: -4C, 2cm of low-pressure system snowfall, no development of snowdrifts. Coastal data: ESE6m/s at Benkei cape, 0.7m waves and 1010hPa. Annupuri peak: S10.6m/s -11.3C. Annupuri 1000m: 480cm snowdepth.
Snowfall transition: Light snowfall due to a passing low. The wind is moderate and snowdrifts development above 800m altitude is slim. A High-pressure system is present in the southwest and is making cold air to flow towards Japan, resulting a temporary winter weather pattern that will make snow and wind to pick up in higher altitudes.
Hazard evaluation: The mountain is mostly blanketed with a crust layer (March 6th-11th), soft snow can only be found in some north facing slopes. The thin layer of new snow is likely to slide in steep slopes. Beware of surface slab avalanches in E6 Backbowl sidewalls, H8-G9Higashione cornices/knoll slopes. Whether the avalanche is small or big, it will always be powerful enough to take someone’s life. Beware of sudden weather changes. The bonding between the new snowdrifts and the old surface is very weak.
Gates: Peak gates will open at 9:30am. Listen to the ski patrol’s advice before stepping out of the gates. Do not duck ropes. The Avalanche Info will pause a little while from today. Have a nice day.