Hello and it's surely a beautiful morning here.

Clear skies, hardly any cloud around, the sun is out. And maybe similar lined up for tomorrow as well. Certainly a few days for getting to enjoy seeing what the surrounding scenery looks like - some people visit Niseko and never get to see it!

For those of us more interested in huge amounts of powder snow falling from the skies, eyes are on the forecast for the weekend with snow starting sometime on Saturday and hopefully setting in for at least the first part of the week as well. Looks like it's going to get very cold and very snowy. Total refresh time.

In the meantime and while we look forward to that, it should be a fine few days. All open including peak gates. Have fun and take care.

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The Chinese New Year holiday period is fast approaching. The Chinese New Year is of course this year on February 19th and the period before and after that date are one of the peak times each season here in Niseko with many guests coming from overseas and enjoying their holidays here. Let's hope that conditions are also 'peak'!

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The SnowJapan folk showed me something really cool yesterday. Something new that they are working on that people reading these reports will surely be interested in. Hopefully they'll be able to share it with us all sometime later this month. Whenever it is, I'll be sure to mention it here when it's online. O-tanishimi-ni!

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Resort specific news as of 8am - subject to change during the day

Niseko Grand Hirafu:
Looks set to open as planned this morning.

Niseko Hanazono:
Looks set to open as planned this morning.

Niseko Village:
Looks set to open as planned this morning.
'Early Morning Gondola' on Saturday (7th) and Sunday (8th) for 1300 yen, Gondola open from 7:30am until 8:30am.

Niseko Annupuri:
Looks set to open as planned this morning.

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Niseko Avalanche Report

Niseko base 6am: -11C, no snowfall. Moiwa 800m: NE5m/s, -10C, no snowfall, 40cm snowdrifts. Annupuri 1000m snowpack 275cm. Annupuri 1150m NE14m/s(5am), -13C. Hirafu 1000m light breeze, -8C, no snowfall. Coastal data: Benkei cape E4m/s, Kamui cape SSE2m/s, 1018hPa, calm ocean. Peak anemometer: N5m/s, -12.4C.

The wind is calm in the high-pressure system, however intermittent easterly gusts has drifted snow under 1000m and snowdrifts developed in leeward slopes and trees. Surface hoar will form under 800m due to temperature drop and will become a notable layer (feb 5th) in the future snowpack. The general avalanche risk is low today. Peak gates will open, please talk to the ski patrol at the gates. The snow above 1000m has been blown away, the surface is hard-packed in many slopes; be careful riding. Many hazards other than avalanches also reside in the Winter Mountains. Traversing under cornices can easily trigger an avalanche. Ride the fall line, not across it.

Deeper layer slides risk is rising in south facing slopes. Beware of slopes with cracks and/or swells. Cracks are the result of the slopes releasing its tension, however are hard to see from above, be careful not to fall in them. Cracks have also started to open in steep treeruns. Have a nice day.

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Official resort snow depths:

Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 365cm
Base - 120cm

Niseko Village:
Top - 280cm
Base - 180cm

Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 280cm
Base - 170cm

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Lifts open for night skiing (planned):

Niseko Grand Hirafu
Ace Family Pair lift, Ace Number 2 Center Four lift, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 Pair lift

Niseko Hanazono Resort
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