Morning from Niseko.

It's not a pretty picture this morning, I'm afraid.

Rain and wind with top lifts, Hirafu and Annupuri gondolas and a few more on hold at the start of the day.

Some areas reporting snow up top and it might be snowing down to base tonight.

It is a national holiday today in Japan and so for many people it is a long weekend.

I'm going to spend my morning sitting this out and taking it easy.

Time for some toast.

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Niseko Avalanche Report

Mountain base 5am: 5℃, 0cm snowfall, light rain. Moiwa 800m: SSW7.9m/s, 0.6℃. Annupuri 1100m: SW 225°7.5m/s, -2℃. Yu no sawa 1000m: W 236°11.2m/s, -1.6℃. Village 900m: S 187°10.7m/s, -0.8℃. Hirafu 1000m: -1.7℃. Hanazono 720m: SE 147m/s, 4.7m/s, -0.2℃. Sea of Japan Benkei cape: SW4m/s, Kamui cape S19m/s, 984hPa, 1.3m waves.

Rain has persisted under 800m elevation until 4am and 20+m/s gust is blowing above 1000m elevation since 1am. All gates will close today.

Beware of weather changes. Glide avalanche hazard is raising in open steep slopes under 600m elevation.

Pretty extreme conditions today, please be very cautious.

Have a nice day.

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Planned ski resort operation information: Friday 20th March 2020

** Many lifts on hold at the start of the day today - see above **

Niseko Grand Hirafu

Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 310cm
- Base: 90cm

All lifts are normally operating EXCEPT:
- Ace Number 1 pair lift (normally rested)
- King Number 2 quad lift (normally rested)

Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Ace Family quad until 8:30pm
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad until 8:20pm
- Hirafu Gondola until 8:10pm
- Holiday Number 1 pair until 8:30pm

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Niseko HANAZONO Resort

Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 205cm
- Base: 105cm

All lifts are normally operating

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Niseko Annupuri

Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 180cm
- Base: 100cm

All lifts are normally operating

Lift scheduled for late operations:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad until 8:30pm

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Niseko Village

Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 190cm
- Base: 100cm

All lifts normally operating EXCEPT:
- Village Express
- Country Road Chair (normally rested)

Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Annupuri Village Gondola until 8:00pm
- Banzai Chair until 8:00pm

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