Yesterday there was more cloud at the end of the day than the beginning, but generally a very fine day yesterday weather wise with a lot of people out enjoying it as well. Come the evening and it was snowing again, just how it should be!

It looks like Grand Hirafu got their Ace Number 2 quad going eventually (about an hour late I hear), and hopefully there'll be no more problems there... looks like it is open as normal at 8:30am.

I have measured 8cm of new snowfall this morning and with the resorts reporting around 15cm up top it's a reasonable refresh so conditions early on in particular should be very good. It's another cold morning, currently -9C degrees here at base and light snow was snowing just before but has stopped now. There's even some blue sky to be seen through some breaks in the cloud, quite a lot looking back over towards Mt Yotei, and the sun is starting to break through as well.

More wind this morning than yesterday but as I write this report the lifts that should be moving are and there's no sign of disruptions to top lifts; and the peak gates are expected to be open.

So here we are at the end of January 2015. Just over 3 months to go! Sounds good that, doesn't it. Either tomorrow or Tuesday I'll look back over the statistics for January and for the season so far and look forward to what we can hope for an expect for February.

In the meantime, it's time for me to get some skiing in!

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

Niseko Grand Hirafu
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Niseko Village
Niseko Annupuri
All resort areas appear to be opening as planned this morning
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Niseko Avalanche Report:

Niseko base 6.00am: -8°C, crystal snow, 15cm new snow. Moiwa 800m: -10°C, N5m/s, 20cm new snow. Mikaeri 740m: -12.0°C, W2.7m/s, Annupuri 1150m: -18°C, NW15m/s, 15cm new snow. Hirafu 1000m -10°C, 15cm new snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NW16m/s. Kamui Cape WNW8m/s, 1020hPa, wave 1.4m.

Above 1000m on western aspects, NW wind around 15m/s continues, cornices and snowdrifts are slowly growing. All peak gates are expected to be open. Please listen to the patrols advice. You can still see yesterdays tracks but the snow in the forest is reset. From observation and data general avalanche risk is low, however caution is always advised. There is no guaranteed safety on the mountain. Cracks are starting to form in Mizu no Sawa, they are difficult to see from above. Don't be to over confident, new ski designs allow high speeds, but trees still hurt when you hit them. Be careful of holes. Yesterday over 1000 people went through the gates to ride out of bounds and we are thankful there was no big accidents. We appreciate everyone who respects Niseko Rules and ski safely on the mountain. Have a good day.

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Official resort snow depths as of Sunday 31st January 2016:

Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 320cm
Base - 140cm

Niseko Village
Top - 280cm
Base - 170cm

Niseko Annupuri
Top - 270cm
Base - 150cm

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Lifts planned to be open for night skiing:

Niseko Grand Hirafu:
Ace Family Pair lift, Ace Number 2 Center Four lift, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 Pair lift
(There is no night skiing at the Hanazono area)

Niseko Village:
Community Chair and Banzai Chair

Niseko Annupuri:
Jumbo Number 1 Quad

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Niseko Grand Hirafu 6 day weather and snow forecast