Niseko Now: Tuesday 13th February 2024
- Feb 13, 2024
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 774cm
Posted on Tuesday 13th February 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
No fresh snow to report this morning as we enter this week that seems destined to be warm throughout Japan (including up here). Perhaps until Thursday or Friday when it should get colder again.
It has been a cloudy start and very noticeably milder, with southerly winds are stopping top ski lifts. Pesky!
I am feeling much more genki this morning, something of a relief after a few days of feeling tired and dreary. I found this interesting; as I lazed about yesterday afternoon, I was flicking through the TV channels and, lo and behold, yet another 'Niseko bubble' feature on one of the discussion shows. It was pretty much the same kind of content as the other recent ones I have noticed (the main points being it is very expensive but not too much for international visitors, real estate stuff, and a few related issues and thoughts).
Having seen so many of these things over the last few weeks, it makes me wonder, do these TV companies see something on other channels and basically copy each other, or is there some cunning marketing going on? Or perhaps a bit of both. Anyway, I'm getting bored of those things now, as they all pretty much say the same thing.
Soon after that, they went to the weatherman who said that the forecast for the next month was basically 'warmer than normal' - for every prefecture in Japan. Obviously, it was a very general forecast, but still, it was not good to hear. It will be as warm as 20C in Tokyo this week, which is April weather.
Expect all sorts of spring talk this week. I'll try my best to avoid it!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base 6am: 0℃, no snowfall and calm. Moiwa 800m: -3.2℃, W3.2m/s, no snowfall. Mikaeri 764m: -4℃, no snowfall, good visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -4.4℃, W8.3m/s, drifting snow. Village 1000m: -2.7℃, SW7.4m/s. Hirafu Hanazono1000m: -4.1℃, SSE5.0m/s. Hanazono#3 800m: -0.9℃, WSW0.4m/s. Coastal data: Benkei cape W16m/s, Kamui cape SSW26m/s, 1016hPa, 2.3m waves.
Strong SW wind is blowing above 1150m elevation, it has developed wind blown cornices. Cornices formed by wind even without snowfall are easy to break and dangerous. Accidents occurred under this condition at Moiwa bowl in the past. Do not ride carelessly over the cornices. Wind blown snow can develop snowdrifts in the valley in a short time. Slabs formed by wind blown snow can easily break and cause avalanches. Be careful on the slopes over 1,400m, and on Mt. Yotei. Gate opening is yet to be decided. Please listen to the patrol’s instructions. Off-piste area is tracked out. We recommend riding the groomed runs today. Powder snow is fun but groomers are just as much fun. Beware of speeding and crashing. Over 1,000 people hiked up the peak yesterday but no accidents were reported. We are relieved and grateful for everyone respecting the Niseko Rules. Have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Tuesday 13th February 2024
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 and subject to change.
*** TOP LIFTS ON HOLD THIS MORNING ***
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 330cm (-15cm since yesterday)
- Base: 120cm (-20cm since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts apart from King Number 1 pair and King Number 2 quad (normal operations)
- The Ace Family quad, Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four), Hirafu Gondola and Holiday Number 1 pair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 263cm (-15cm since last update)
- Base: 190cm (-10cm since last update)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
- The Hanazono Symphony Gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 220cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 180cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
- The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 258cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 169cm (-2cm since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts apart from Morino Chair and Country Road
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Tuesday 13th February 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 774cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 71 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 62cm (8th January) November 2023 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 days December 2023 snowfall 247cm reported on 24 days January 2024 snowfall 298cm reported on 24 days February 2024 snowfall 109cm reported on 12 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.