Niseko Now: Sunday 13th February 2022
- Feb 13, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 6cm
Snowfall at base this season 880cm
Posted on Sunday 13th February 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
After a couple of days of clearer skies, we are back to some fresh snow to report this morning. Yey!
There's not a huge - amount just over 5cm - and perhaps some more at higher elevations, but that's not going to be enough to fill in all the tracks. The groomers should be nice this morning though.
It is snowing lightly at the moment, though it's also quite bright in places and as you can see from the third photo below there is even some blue sky too. The sun is trying to break through over here in Hirafu too as I type this.
Doesn't feel quite as cold this morning, though it's still -5C. (I suppose for some of you guys that is really, really cold!)
I think it's time for some lovely Sunday morning toast. Highly recommended.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -5℃, 10cm low pressure snow in the last 12hrs. Moiwa 800m: -7 ℃, 15cm new snow, snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -7℃, strong west wind, snowdrift development. Hirafu 1250m, -8℃, strong west wind, snowdrift development. Benkei Cape WNW13m/s. Cape Kamui; SW19m/s, 1017hPa, wave 1.4m. Wind picked up from 8pm last night.
A low pressure system passed overnight bringing some snowfall and minor snowdrift development. From tests the general avalanche risk is low this morning. However snowfall is expected to continue bringing an increase in avalanche risk on SE slopes this afternoon. Lots of avalanche accidents occur by snowdrifts fracturing from rider stimulation. Developing snowdrift slabs are unstable and can easily fracture on weak lines. Always be careful of surface avalanches when winds are above 15m/s. Do not stimulate knolls or cornices. The snowdrifts will stabilise when the wind drops. All gates are expected to be open. Please listen to the patrol's advice when going through the gates. The mountain is partially reset above 800m although tracks are still visible. Visibility is bad, be careful falling into cracks. From the last 2 days of sun expect a 12 Feb layer to form as a future avalanche fracture face. Snow conditions change daily, be careful of sudden weather changes. Is your beacon on?
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Planned ski area operations: Sunday 13th February 2022
The below snow depth and snowfall data is manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day (nature might intervene).
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 375cm (-10cm)
- Base: 230cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 2cm
- Base: 2cm
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: 335cm (-5cm)
- Base: 255cm (-5cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
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: 310cm (no change)
- Base: 220cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- 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: 290cm
- Base: 220cm
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 Sunday 13th February 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 880cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 70 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 325cm reported on 30 days February 2022 snowfall 163cm 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.