Niseko Now: Wednesday 12th February 2025
- Feb 12, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 620cm
Posted on Wednesday 12th February 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just under 12cm measured this morning (by me) and around 20cm being reported by Hirafu and Hanazono on the slopes.
As my report is later than usual today you can see what things are looking like as of 10:40am (below).
It is rather grey at the moment and it does feel rather mild today and currently around 0C.
At time of this report the top lifts at Hirafu, Village and Annupuri are on hold. It doesn't feel particularly windy down here, but the southerly wind must be acting pesky up top.
We do seem to expect snow into tomorrow. If we are unlucky we might have to endure some sleet or even rain down at lower areas later on. But it should be snow by tomorrow morning, though. Let's see!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa Mountain base -7℃, light wind, 10cm new snow, good visibility. Moiwa 800m: -6.8℃, NW3.4m/s, 50cm cornice and slab development. Mikaeri 750m: -8℃, WSW2.3m/s, increasing snow depth, good visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -8.7℃, WNW10.7m/s, 30cm new snow, strong W wind from 5am. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -8.0℃, NNE4.7m/s, 30cm new snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NW15m/s, Kamui Cape SW16m/s, 1014hPa, wave 1.7m.
The mountain base is calm; however, a 20m/s westerly wind picked up from 5 am, rapidly forming cornices and slabs on W slopes over 1100m. Cornices and slabs are developing steadily on slopes under 1000m with light wind from yesterday afternoon. From tests, the avalanche risk is low under 1000m slopes; however, the risk is high on slopes over 1200m elevation and SE slopes where cornices and wind-drift slabs have developed rapidly due to the strong wind. Be careful on high mountains such as Mt. Yotei. From observation, the chances of triggering an avalanche by collapsing cornice are small; however, do not stay on or under the cornices. Cornice is as heavy as a tourist bus and collapses instantly at times.
The gates opening is undecided. Please listen to the ski patrols' instructions. Snow is good again today. Groomers are good, too. As always, please respect the Niseko Rules. Do not duck ropes. Do not go into the mountain alone. Snow started at 7 am again. Beware of poor visibility and sudden change of weather.
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Individual ski area information for Wednesday 12th February 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: 22cm
Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 310cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 245cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
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: 20cm
Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 365cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 165cm (+15cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
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: 210cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 165cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
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: 230cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 160cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
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 Wednesday 12th February 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 620cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 66 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (6th February) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 311cm reported on 28 days January 2025 snowfall 161cm reported on 19 days February 2025 snowfall 110cm reported on 11 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.