Niseko Now: Saturday 15th January 2022
- Jan 15, 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 595cm
Posted on Saturday 15th January 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
And yes, we have more snow for the start of the weekend. I have 15cm of snow measured to report this morning, which is a fair bit less than what the Avalanche Report is reporting this morning. But I think it's safe to say that there will be a lot of fresh snow out there to play in as the consistent snowfall continues. Following on from last year, less people around than what we were used to pre-covid means that the fresh lasts longer too.
Anyway, I'm afraid the top lifts aren't open again this morning. There seems to be a bit of a delay with the lower Hanazono lifts, but hopefully they'll open quickly. (They are actually moving, so seems imminent).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -3℃, 40cm snowfall, snowdrift development. Moiwa 800m: -6℃, 50cm snowfall, snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -9℃, 50cm snowfall, major cornice and snowdrift development. Hirafu Ridgeline: -7℃, heavy snowfall, difficult grooming. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NNW12m/s. Kamui Cape: N7m/s, 1012hPa, wave2.5m.
Storm conditions have settled, however above 1200m NW winds are still around 15m/s. Slabs are starting to stabilize now that the blizzard has ended. From observation and data, avalanche risk has dropped below the treeline but the snow is heavy and deep. It will be hard to get back up out of it after a fall, beware suffocation. Consolidation of the wind formed slabs is delayed at all elevations, aspects and terrain types and the risk of weak layer fractures persists. Do not carelessly stimulate cornices and knolls, there is a high risk of triggering an avalanche. Today is still a day to stay close by the groomers below the treeline. All peak gates will be closed. Do not duck ropes to ride out of bounds. Be cautious today. Also be careful of snow falling from roofs!
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Planned ski area operations: Saturday 15th January 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: 335cm (-10cm)
- Base: 170cm (+5cm)
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
- 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: 268cm (+8cm)
- Base: 204cm (+4cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 12cm
- Base: 10cm
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: 270cm (+20cm)
- Base: 170cm (+5cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 30cm
- Base: 30cm
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: 190cm +30cm
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 Saturday 15th January 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 595cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 44 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 203cm reported on 15 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.