Niseko Now: Saturday 15th December 2018
- Dec 15, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 4, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 17cm
Snowfall at base this season 252cm
Posted on Saturday 15th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
More good snowfall during the day yesterday with a bit more to add to that overnight; my total since last report is 17cm.
Light snow is expected today.
Yesterday the Konayuki course became available at Hirafu and from today the Hirafu Gondola and Holiday Number 1 lifts will join in the nighta fun at that area.
We are not yet at 'fully open' - the most conspicuous area not yet open being the summit area - but we are getting there and it shouldn't be long now before that goodness becomes available. Hirafu are reporting this morning that there still isn't enough snow for them to open the top King Number 4 lift. (That might understandably be somewhat confusing to people and I'll get to that in a later report).
Somewhat warmer conditions expected tomorrow, but nothing to worry about. Snow remains on the forecast.
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Just to add to what I mentioned in my report yesterday regarding taxes and Kutchan town...
The ski resorts and accommodations of what we all generally refer to as ‘Niseko’ are actually spread across Kutchan town and Niseko town.
The base areas of Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Hanazono are within the boundaries of Kutchan and those of Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri are within the boundaries of Niseko town.
That's why I was wondering about if Niseko town will do the same as Kutchan. And wonder still I do.
Oh yes, just to further potentially confuse things -- as far as I can see, the peak of Mt Niseko Annupuri (the mountain, not the ski resort) is in... drumroll... Kutchan town.
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It seems like some folk aren't keen on me mentioning anything other than powder in my reports and aren't excited by taxes or toast (like I am guessing most of you surely are). Look... if for whatever reason you don't like my reports to the point where you feel the need to write in to be rude – just don’t read 'em. Simples!
Sadly, I don’t think I am ever going to anywhere near gnarly enough for you guys.
Stay Calm & Eat Toast!
(Regular readers will know that every now and again I like to show a little annoyance towards rude people, perhaps a few times each season - this one doesn’t count).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6.00am: -7°, 30cm new snow in the last 24hrs, trace new snow overnight. Moiwa 800m: -9°, W12-15m/s, 50cm snowdrift development, good visibility. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NNW8m/s. Kamui Cape: NW4m/s, 1023hPa, wave 1.5m.
Forested leeward slopes at 600m have received 40cm of heavy snow in the last 24hrs. Soft slabs have formed on ridges above 1000m tree line and the general snow pack has increased. However bushes and bamboo are not buried yet.
Temperature and wind fluctuations have caused inconsistent snow drift development. On leeward slopes around 800m take care for 40cm fractures below knolls, avalanche risk is high in many areas.
Snow in the trees is heavy but good. Take care getting hooked up on a bush or small tree. Avalanches will happen when conditions are right, it doesn't mater how much snow there is. Note the avalanche risk on steep open leeward slopes. Gates are not ready to be opened yet. Do not duck ropes to ride out of bounds. Even within the ski areas it is still difficult to make a rescue off-piste.
Have a good weekend.
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Ski resort operation information: Saturday 15th December 2018
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 190cm
- Base: 90cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Ace Family quad (until 8:30pm)
- Ace Number 2 Center Four (until 8:20pm)
- Ace Number 3 pair (until 3:30pm)
- Hirafu Gondola (until 8:10pm)
- Holiday Number 1 Pair (until 8:30pm)
- King Number 3 quad (until 3:30pm)
- Swinging Monkey (until 3:00pm)
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 105cm
- Base: 94cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad (until 3:30pm)
- Hanazono Number 2 quad (until 3:30pm)
- Hanazono Number 3 quad (until 3:00pm)
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono Courses:
- All courses apart from the below courses are now open
- Onsenzawa
- Large
- Miharashi
- Dynamic
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 140cm
- Base: 70cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola (until 3:15pm)
- Dream Number 1 quad (until 5:30pm)
- Jumbo Number 1 quad (until 8:30pm)
- Jumbo Number 2 pair (until 3:15pm)
- Jumbo Number 3 pair (until 3:15pm)
Courses:
- Utopia
- Silver
- Shirakaba
- Paradise
- Family
- Junior
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 130cm
- Base: 90cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola (until 3:00pm)
- Upper Village Gondola (until 8:00pm)
- Village Express (until 8:00pm)
- Community Chair (until 4:30pm)
- Banzai Chair (until 8:00pm)
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Saturday 15th December 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 252cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 20 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 25cm (23rd November and 14th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 168cm 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.