Niseko Now: Sunday 16th February 2025
- Feb 16, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 647cm
Posted on Sunday 16th February 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
A dusting of this morning. Without feeling too guilty, I feel that I can just about justify adding 1cm to this report, though I'll be rounding down in a future report when it's just over 'x' cm. (These things are important... to nerdy me).
It is a generally cloudy start to this Sunday morning, though I note that ski areas are reporting foggy conditions at higher elevations. It will probably be another relatively mild day.
Unfortunately, the top lifts at Hirafu, Village and Annupuri are all not opening as planned again. But the Avalanche Report is saying that peak gates are expected to open. Perhaps they might open if it clears up?
I do not know what the problem might be and can't find any official information, but but the gondola at Hanazono is cabin-free as of 8:40am.
Forecasts are saying that we can expect some consistent snowfall across the coming week, along with a return to colder temps. It sounds like a plan!
(First mention of 'yellow sand' this weekend. Hmmm, never great to see that subject pop up).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa Mountain base -3℃, light snowfall, good visibility. Moiwa 800m: -2.9℃, SSW2.0m/s, trace of new snow. Mikaeri 750m: -7℃, SSW1.5m/s, good visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -4.5℃, WSW5.5m/s, trace of new snow, good visibility. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -3.9℃, SSW7.8m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape S6m/s, Kamui Cape calm, 1010hPa, wave 0.6m.
There is a Chinese wok-like low pressure system over the Sea of Japan bringing warm air into the Niseko area. The sea and the mountain are calm and it will be a good day for fishing. Cornices and drifts from the strong winds and snow over the last few days are stable. From observation and data the overall risk of avalanches has decreased. Peak gates are expected to be open. However stay out of the valley bottom, if a large cornice collapses it could trigger an avalanche. These cornices are as heavy as a highway bus. Also avoid slopes under cornices. Endlessly traversing under cornices in search of fresh snow is not a good idea. Good sense is required. Yesterday, over 1,000 people followed the Niseko Rules, not ducking ropes and stayed on the course. But several people ducked ropes, entered Haruno Taki and had an accident. They called for a rescue by the Hokkaido Prefectural Police Aviation Unit and the Mountain Rescue Team. We are grateful to the rescue team. Also, at Moiwa 6, five people went through the closed gate and skied into Mikaeri Bowl. Consider there is a reason why the gates are closed. In Niseko you must follow Niseko Rules. The snow was mixed with continental yellow sand yesterday - slow snow. Today is better. There is some good quality snow in some areas. The wind-blown snow is heavy and hard, and it is easy to lose control. Be careful of hitting trees. There is no safety in this sport. Have a good day.
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Individual ski area information for Sunday 16th 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: 2cm
Base: 2cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 305cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 240cm (no 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: ?cm
Base: ?cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 365cm (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 (no change since yesterday)
Base: 190cm (no 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: 250cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 170cm (no 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 Sunday 16th February 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 647cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 70 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 137cm 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.