Good morning from Niseko and a bit of a nice surprise with just over 9cm of lovely fresh snowfall to report to you.

Most welcome! Hopefully there'll be a bit more than that up on them there slopes, and so I will be heading up myself very soon. Just so that I can check.

There was cloud over the mountain an hour or so ago (and clearer over towards Mt Yotei) but it's the other way round now as this report is about to be posted and the sun is out over the mountain. Should be a nice early morning.

The forecast now seems to be showing snowfall from Sunday through Tuesday, so all fingers crossed we get both quality and quantity.

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Niseko Avalanche Report:

Niseko base 6am: -6℃, mild wind, 10cm snowfall. Moiwa 800m: -8℃, NW8m/s, 15cm new snow with no snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m:-13℃, W10m/s, 15cm snow without snowdrifts. Hirafu 1250m: -11℃, light breeze, 10cm new snow and no snowdrifts development. Kamui cape lighthouse:ENE3m/s, 1014hPa, 1.7m waves.

The isobars are spread out and the weather is calm. 10-15cm light crystal snowfall fell overnight and is blanketing the mountain. New snowdrifts and cornices development is minimal, the snowpack seems stable and the general avalanche risk is low.

All gates are scheduled t open from the morning. Listen to the ski patrol and step out of the gates. Wearing a beacon and a helmet is highly recommended.

The snow is shallow but good. Very light and dry snow this morning. Sluffs are to be expected, however slab slides are less probable. More emphasize should be put on weather and snowfall transition for evaluating hazard levels in the mountains. We would like to remind that most accidents occur during and just after foul weather. Snowdrifts and slabs that formed during storms and high winds are the cause of many surface slab avalanches. Keep an eye on the snowfall patterns. There are many other hazards lurking in the out of bounds area. Better not over-estimate your knowledge, skills and equipment. Always be prudent and humble in the mountains.

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

Niseko Grand Hirafu
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Niseko Village
Niseko Annupuri

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Official resort snow depths as of Friday 20th January 2017:

Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 265cm
Base - 100cm

Niseko Village
Top - 210cm
Base - 120cm

Niseko Annupuri
Top - 220cm
Base - 120cm

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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.