Niseko Now: Thursday 13th January 2022
- Jan 13, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 15cm
Snowfall at base this season 558cm
Posted on Thursday 13th January 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I was expecting more, but I just went out and measured 16cm of snow for the report today. I would expect there was more on the mountain, with wind blowing it all around and causing headaches for lift operations.
At opening time today those top lifts are still not opening and the gondolas at Village and Annupuri are also both at a standstill, so wind is still an issue. Hirafu gondola is moving but at a reduced speed, and both of the base lifts at Hanazono are moving.
Forecasts all showing that snow and wind will be continuing today and tomorrow. Perhaps it might all calm down for the weekend? Conditions should be really good out there... once we are able to go and get them.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -2℃, 20cm snowfall with snowdrift developments. Moiwa800m: -6℃, 30cm snowfall, large snowdrift developments. Hirafu 1250m: -7℃, storm and low visibility. Coastal data Benkei cape: NW16m/s, Kamui cape: NW15m/s, 995hPa, 3.9m waves.
A strong wintery pressure distribution, the isobars are tight and the wind is blowing strong on the ocean and the mountains. The atmospheric pressure is rising and the wind is starting to drop, however 15+m/s wind and snow is still blowing above 800 elevation, making the snowdrifts develop drastically. 80+cm thick avalanches are to be expected in cornice/knoll terrains and leeward slopes with heavy snowdrift growth. All upper gates will be shut for the sake of all resort users. Please respect the ski patrol’s instructions. An avalanche in the Backbowl, Anupuri bowl (Osawa), Higashi-One cornice slope and Haru no Taki strictly off-limits area, will sweep down the whole slope and through the whole gully. Do not stay put at the bottom of gullies or steep slopes. Do not cross boundary ropes to step into off-limits areas. The snowcats are having a hard time grooming the course with all the heavy wind-affected snow and the course-side powder is dense and catchy. Beware of hitting trees. The snow in the tree-runs is a little tricky to handle, but not in bad condition. Have a nice day.
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Planned ski area operations: Thursday 13th January 2022
The below snow depth and snowfall data is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day (nature might intervene).
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 330cm (+20cm)
- Base: 150cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 15cm
- Base: 15cm
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
- 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 (-2cm)
- Base: 195cm (+5cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 20cm
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: 250cm (+20cm)
- Base: 165cm (+10cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
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 4 pair
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 260cm no change
- Base: 160cm no change
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
- Observation: This data does not appear to be updated every day
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 Thursday 13th January 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 558cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 42 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 166cm reported on 13 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.