Niseko Now: Friday 14th February 2025
- Feb 14, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 644cm
Posted on Friday 14th February 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
It is colder again and a mostly overcast kind of morning though the sun is breaking through in places (Hanazono). It's also quite dull and grey in other places around the mountain.
Unfortunately, wind continues to be an issue this morning and the days starts with all top lifts on hold, along with the gondola at Annupuri.
Wind has been blowing the snow around so it is one of those days when it is difficult to pin down numbers (snowdrifts).
Forecasts all seem to indicate a good chance of some clear and sunny skies tomorrow, and perhaps Sunday too.
Let's hope that it is calmer too.
* My report will probably appear later than usual tomorrow.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -6℃, moderate wind, 10cm snowfall, 30cm snowdrifts. Moiwa 800m: -8.7℃, NNW14.4m/s, 25m/s wind after 4am, cornices grew up to 150cm and the newly formed windload slabs (100cm) are not consolidated. Mikaeri 750m: -7℃, WNW5.5m/s, strong snowfall and snowpack is growing. Annupuri 1100m: WNW12m/s (intermittent 25m/s from 2am). Hirafu Hanazono: -10.9℃, ESE5.6m/s (25m/s northerly gusts from 4am). Coastal data: Benkei cape NNW18m/s, Kamui cape WNW15m/s, 1007hPa, 2.5m waves.
The atmospheric pressure gradient is steep and stormy weather continues on the Sea and the Mountains. The wind is stronger than yesterday but the visibility is slightly better. Cornices and windrift snow has grown dramatically above 900m elevation. Evaluating the snowfall transition and the morning observations, the avalanche risk is extremely high in leeward slopes around 900m and above. Peak gates will be kept shut. The windload snow accumulated in the valleys has a bit of resistance, but is fun to ride. 35 degree grade slopes should be avoided until the wind drops below 12m/s and the slabs consolidate. Do not stimulate knolls and cornices. The weather up high is completely different from the base. The mountain is constantly challenging you to make the appropriate decision. This information is issued for preventing accidents in the resort accessed backcountry areas. Ropes aren’t meant to be crossed easily. Have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Friday 14th February 2025
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 13cm
Base: 13cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 320cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 255cm (-5cm 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: 25cm (?)
Base: 25cm (?)
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 375cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 165cm (no 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: 240cm (+30cm change since yesterday) (!)
Base: 190cm (+25cm 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: 240cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 170cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
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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 14th February 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 644cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 68 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 134cm 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.