Niseko Now: Monday 10th January 2022
- Jan 10, 2022
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 16cm
Snowfall at base this season 523cm
Posted on Monday 10th January 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
So, yes, it's still snowing. Very lightly at the moment, but I have measured another 16cm to since yesterday morning to add to this report. We are enjoying some real consistency! Today is another day when I am tempted to say that we probably won't get much in terms of cm, but forecasts show larger numbers looming across mid week. That Niseko consistency looks set to continue. A bit of a relatively mild bump with temps threatening to rise slightly above zero might need to be negotiated tomorrow.
There is not much of a wind this morning and all of the lifts that are playing this season should be up and moving as normal.
Last day of the long weekend today, which usually means some the people will be starting to make their way back home making for a quieter afternoon in particular. Not that huge crowds are a problem this year.
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This is just an observation, but Niseko Village don't seem to refresh their new snowfall numbers on some mornings. That's why when there has definitely been snowfall, sometimes it is shown as 0cm in the below list. I do check official info. If they say 0cm, that's what goes in there. Just thought I'd point that out in case you thought I was just missing something...
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -5℃, calm, 15cm new snow. Moiwa800m: -7℃, calm, 20cm new snow. Annupuri1150m: -10℃, calm, 15cm snow. Hirafu ridge: -11℃, SW breeze. Coastal data Benkei cape: WSW5m/s, Kamui cape: WSW4m.s, 1020hPa, 0.8m waves. Wind data available on separate site.
The ocean and mountain weather is calm under a high pressure system. 10-20cm light crystal snow has fallen overnight. Snowdrift development is very small. The overall avalanche risk is low today. Cracks are starting to open in SW facing slopes below 900m elevation. These cracks are the result of the snowpack releasing its tension. 200cm deep and not easy to see from above. If you fall head-first you may not be able to come out, please be cautious. Glide avalanches could happen, even in mid-winter, in steep open slopes, cliffs and sasa-bamboo covered slopes. It is highly recommended to stay away from large steep slopes/cliffs. Amazing snow conditions on and off-piste, all gates are scheduled to open today. Listen to the ski patrol’s instructions before stepping out of the gates. Airbags won’t open if not activated. Beware of sudden weather changes. We’re hoping for an accident free day.
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Planned ski area operations: Monday 10th January 2022
The below snow depth and snowfall data is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 305cm (+10cm)
- Base: 155cm (+5cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 25cm
- Base: 25cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Ace Family quad
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- King Number 3 quad
- King Number 4
- Swinging Monkey
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 250cm (+15cm)
- Base: 180cm (+8cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 28cm
- Base: 17cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 230cm (no change)
- Base: 155cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 15cm
- Base: 20cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- All lifts operating
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad [* open for night skiing until 7:30pm]
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair
- Jumbo Number 4 pair
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 210cm no change
- Base: 140cm no change
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Niseko Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
- Banzai Chair
- Wonderland Chair
Niseko Now 2021-2022 season |
Data as of Monday 10th January 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 523cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 39 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (23rd December) November 2021 snowfall 85cm reported on 6 days December 2021 snowfall 307cm reported on 23 days January 2022 snowfall 131cm reported on 10 days |
All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report.