It just keeps getting better! Another 50cm (at least!) fell in Niseko on Thursday night. Today was still windy and low visibility but if you were in the trees down low you could go go go! Further snowfalls are on the forecast for Niseko so it's don't pack those powder skis or board away just yet!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Japan Snow Report - 6th Jan 2011
Woah! An incredible powder day in Niseko. Waist to face deep powder as far as you could see....and ski! Further snowfalls are forecast over the next week - great news!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Japan Snow Report - 5th Jan 2011
A crazy weather day in Niseko! It started out foggy, then the wind picked up and snow started to fall! Snowfalls are forecast to get heavier over the coming days and we should see it continue allllll week.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Japan Snow Report - 3rd of Jan 2011
Surprisingly good conditions in Niseko today! 10 cm fell last night and it really freshened up the cover. Tomorrow should be clear and then snowfalls forecast from Wednesday!
Niseko Avalanche Information - 2011.01.03 Monday
Report of the avalanche accident on January 1st.
Although unconfirmed, the starting zone is seen to be the top of the Backbowl sidewall (NW ridge from the summit) around 1250m elevation. The crown could not be identified but the avalanche type would have been a shallow surface slab avalanche. The victim has been found unconscious and CPA in the bowl at 950m at 10am on the 2nd Jan, 60cm under the surface and roughly 500m from the estimated starting zone. Although there was no clear signs of debris, sasa bamboo were unnaturally thick in the potential track area at 1100m, probably due to the avalanche scraping snow blocks off the slope. A mixed team of Hokkaido Police and Niseko ski patrollers did the search and rescue operation on the 2nd. One ski was found at 9:45am, followed by beacon search and identified the victim. He has been dug out and taken to Sapporo hospital by the police helicopter. The estimated causes of the avalanche are: 1. Skiing stimulation made unstable snowdrifts (developed by strong 25-30m/s ENE wind) collapse. 2. Sliding of depth hoar layer that formed and developed above 1200m area due to sun reflection effect.
According to the companion, the accident would have happened at 11:10am on the 1st Jan. 300m of altitude difference between the start and rescued point.
The whole slope seemed to have composed a big slab with partial hard-packed snowdrifts of windblown snow.
The cause of the accident would be that this person tried to ski Backbowl’s sidewall without considering the poor weather and strong wind consequences. No matter the amount of snow, avalanches happen in the right conditions.
We would like to offer all our sincere condolences to the victim and his family.
All access gates are kept closed due to insufficient snow; do not duck ropes to seek fresh lines. Mountain base 6am: -4℃, light snowfall and no notable development of snowdrifts. The snow in the trees seems good.
Although unconfirmed, the starting zone is seen to be the top of the Backbowl sidewall (NW ridge from the summit) around 1250m elevation. The crown could not be identified but the avalanche type would have been a shallow surface slab avalanche. The victim has been found unconscious and CPA in the bowl at 950m at 10am on the 2nd Jan, 60cm under the surface and roughly 500m from the estimated starting zone. Although there was no clear signs of debris, sasa bamboo were unnaturally thick in the potential track area at 1100m, probably due to the avalanche scraping snow blocks off the slope. A mixed team of Hokkaido Police and Niseko ski patrollers did the search and rescue operation on the 2nd. One ski was found at 9:45am, followed by beacon search and identified the victim. He has been dug out and taken to Sapporo hospital by the police helicopter. The estimated causes of the avalanche are: 1. Skiing stimulation made unstable snowdrifts (developed by strong 25-30m/s ENE wind) collapse. 2. Sliding of depth hoar layer that formed and developed above 1200m area due to sun reflection effect.
According to the companion, the accident would have happened at 11:10am on the 1st Jan. 300m of altitude difference between the start and rescued point.
The whole slope seemed to have composed a big slab with partial hard-packed snowdrifts of windblown snow.
The cause of the accident would be that this person tried to ski Backbowl’s sidewall without considering the poor weather and strong wind consequences. No matter the amount of snow, avalanches happen in the right conditions.
We would like to offer all our sincere condolences to the victim and his family.
All access gates are kept closed due to insufficient snow; do not duck ropes to seek fresh lines. Mountain base 6am: -4℃, light snowfall and no notable development of snowdrifts. The snow in the trees seems good.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Japan Snow Report - Sunday Special 2 Jan 2011
WELCOME TO 2011! We hope you enjoy this compilation of the best shots of last week, including a two day forecast. Just some very light snowfalls at Niseko over the last 48 hours. Tune in tomorrow for a full snow report!
Niseko Avalanche Information - 2011.01.02 Sunday
800m at 6am: Temp. -7.9℃, Wind NNE6m/s. Very light overnight snowfall. Yesterday’s strong N - NE wind has now calmed down in all elevations.
There has been no notable snowfall in the last couple of days and the snow-pack is settling and stabilizing. The surface in high altitude has been scraped off by the strong wind, resulting in an uneven wind-rippled surface in many areas. The snow is super hard-packed in those slopes, and only small broken pieces of thin crust would come off the surface even when stimulated forcibly.
The general avalanche risk is low.
Soft and fresh snow is hard to find anywhere and the general condition is not suitable for pleasant skiing. Bushes are still yet to be covered and creeks aren’t fully buried yet. Remain in control and beware of hidden traps and holes.
There has been no notable snowfall in the last couple of days and the snow-pack is settling and stabilizing. The surface in high altitude has been scraped off by the strong wind, resulting in an uneven wind-rippled surface in many areas. The snow is super hard-packed in those slopes, and only small broken pieces of thin crust would come off the surface even when stimulated forcibly.
The general avalanche risk is low.
Soft and fresh snow is hard to find anywhere and the general condition is not suitable for pleasant skiing. Bushes are still yet to be covered and creeks aren’t fully buried yet. Remain in control and beware of hidden traps and holes.
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