Niseko Now: Friday 10th January 2025
- Jan 10, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 431cm
Posted on Friday 10th January 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I have just several cm of snowfall to report this morning, with Hirafu (ski area) reporting up to 15cm on the mountain.
It is snowing lightly at 8:30am but it has generally ben quite bright with fair to good visibility around bases. Visibility is more varied as you head up the mountain.
Happily, wind is not causing any problems at the start of the day.
Tomorrow is the start of the long weekend in Japan. To celebrate, Niseko Annupuri ski area is doing that early morning gondola operating thing again tomorrow through Monday, from 7:20am until 8:20am. Yours for 2,000 yens! I have never done that myself but presumably enough people enjoy it for them to continue with it on a few peak weekends.
Sunshine and clear skies on Sunday and Monday perhaps? Just stay cold and we'll be happy!
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Last year, I recall mentioning Windsor Snow Village.
It is a small ski area located next to and operated by an imposing-looking posh hotel that overlooks Lake Toya. The hotel is famous for hosting the G8 summit in 2008. The location is about 45-50km south of the Niseko region.
It started as Toyako Ski Area sometime around the 1970s (maybe), and, over the years, there has been a gondola and six lifts operating on either side of the mountain. The ski area has also been known by a bunch of different names.
A new listing has been added to SnowJapanHistory, covering the story of how Toyako Ski Area became Windsor Snow Village. Even with all the research I know is done for that fab project, there are still a few unknowns in the timeline. This is indeed one mysterious ski area!
Anyway, it is a fascinating look back and highly recommended read, as is the whole site if you are interested in Japanese ski areas.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -8℃, 10cm snowfall in 12h, calm. Moiwa 800m: -9.3℃, N2.8m/s, 10cm snowfall, cornices have developed overnight but calm at the moment. Annupuri 1100m: -8.3℃, N2.0m/s, large cornice development. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -7.9℃, NNW6.2m/s, 20cm snowfall. Mikaeri 750m: -12℃, ENE1.4m/s, calm but large cornice have formed. Coastal data: Benkei cape SSW3m/s, Kamui capeSSW7m/s, 1003hPa, 1.8m waves. Peaked westerly 21m/s wind and 3.7m waves at midnight then gradually calming down.
According to the report from the Annupuri Cat operator, cornices around 1200m elevation have grown massively and are collapsing largely and instantaneously with slight vibration. The wind peaked at midnight then calmed down. The wave height at the Sea of Japan went up to 3.7m then dropped to 1.8m by this morning. Looking at the test results and various data, the snowpack is relatively stable. The cornices are prone to collapse easily, however the avalanche risk in general slopes is relatively low. Gates are scheduled to open. Please listen to the ski patrol’s instructions. Cornices have grown hugely to the size of a bus and could trigger an avalanche as they fall. Do not stay put at the bottom of the gully; avalanches sweep down that path. Many tree-bombs from the day before yesterday’s strong NE wind are lurking under the surface. Beware. Please use an avalanche beacon; It may not be mandatory, but it could save not only yours but your friends lives. Beginners should not be taken to the Backbowl too easily. Gates are not open because it’s safe out there. We would like to emphasize once again that guides and group leaders are responsible for the safety of the whole party. Have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Friday 10th January 2025
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day at the time of writing.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 5cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 222cm (-3cm change since yesterday)
Base: 187cm (-8cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are scheduled to be operating
The gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 15cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 265cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
The Ace Gondola, Ace Family quad, King Gondola and King Holiday pair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 165cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are operating
The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 190cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 130cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
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Night skiing
Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Wednesday 23rd March 2025
Niseko Now 2024-2025 season |
Data as of Friday 10th January 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 431cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 45 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 23cm (16th December) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 311cm reported on 28 days January 2025 snowfall 82cm reported on 9 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.