2025.02.16 Sunday

Moiwa Mountain base -3℃, light snowfall, good visibility. Moiwa 800m: -2.9℃, SSW2.0m/s, trace of new snow. Mikaeri 750m: -7℃, SSW1.5m/s, good visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -4.5℃, WSW5.5m/s, trace of new snow, good visibility. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -3.9℃,  SSW7.8m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape S6m/s, Kamui Cape calm, 1010hPa, wave 0.6m. 

There is a chinese wok-like low pressure system over the Sea of ​​Japan bringing warm air into the Niseko area. The sea and the mountain are calm and it will be a good day for fishing. Cornices and drifts from the strong winds and snow over the last few days are stable. From observation and data the overall risk of avalanches has decreased. Peak gates are expected to be open. However stay out of the valley bottom, if a large cornice collapses it could trigger an avalanche. These cornices are as heavy as a highway bus. Also avoid slopes under cornices. Endlessly traversing under cornices in search of fresh snow is not a good idea. Good sense is required. Yesterday, over 1,000 people followed the Niseko Rules, not ducking ropes and stayed on the course. But several people ducked ropes, entered Haruno Taki and had an accident. They called for a rescue by the Hokkaido Prefectural Police Aviation Unit and the Mountain Rescue Team. We are grateful to the rescue team. Also, at Moiwa 6, five people went through the closed gate and skied into Mikaeri Bowl. Consider there is a reason why the gates are closed. In Niseko you must follow Niseko Rules. The snow was mixed with continental yellow sand yesterday - slow snow. Today is better. There is some good quality snow in some areas. The wind-blown snow is heavy and hard, and it is easy to lose control. Be careful of hitting trees. There is no safety in this sport. Have a good day.

Quote: Niseko Avalanche Information