2025.01.30 Thursday

Mountain base -4℃, 10cm new snow, a slightly heavy wind-driven snow slab, good visibility. Moiwa 800m: -7℃, NNW8.6m/s, cornice and snowdrift development, good visibility. Mikaeri 750m: -7.0℃, NNW1.7m/s, 20cm new snow, good visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -9.5℃, WNW7.1m/s, cornice and snowdrift development, 20cm new snow, good visibility.  Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -9.2℃, NNW6.3m/s, 20cm new snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NNW9m/s, Kamui Cape NW8m/s, 1009hPa, wave 2.1m. 

Wind averaged NW 12m/s for 8 hours, formed slightly damp 30cm snow slabs on the leeward side slopes over 800m elevation. From the tests and data, those slabs are starting to stabilise. Mountains are reset, snow in the tree runs is good. 

The old surface is hard due to no snow for 10 days, and having the new snow on the layer seems an avalanche is likely to occur. However, the avalanche risk depends on how the snow falls. Today’s snow layer was formed with weak wind and snow and slowly consolidated as it piled up. Slabs break with skier’s stimulation on steep slopes over 1200m elevation. However, the avalanche risk is low on the slopes under 1000 elevation and in the tree runs. Do not ride simultaneously. Do not stay in the gullies. Avalanche is a natural phenomenon, but accidents occur when people are involved. There is no 100% safety in this sport. Beware of the sudden weather change. Finally, it snowed.  Have a good day.

Quote: Niseko Avalanche Information