Niseko Now: Thursday 16th January 2025
- Jan 16, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 9cm
Snowfall at base this season 455cm
Posted on Thursday 16th January 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I was not able to be up there myself yesterday, but the official site was showing the (non-Annupuri) top lifts moving late morning, but then back closed around lunchtime. Sounds like wind was being pesky.
Happily, wind does not seem to be an issue this morning. And, also happily, I have some more fresh snow to report, just under 10cm. Both Hirafu, Hanazono and the Avalanche Report are reporting up to 15cm.
It is snowing still (nice big flakes as I look out the window) and hopefully the snow clouds will be with us through tomorrow, and then clearer skies currently forecast for the weekend.
Question answered:
'What other reports/information do you check or recommend?'
Official Japanese sources (and various weather forecasts) aside, I do not concern myself with any other reports/information - Japanese or otherwise.
It's kind of a SnowJapan policy in general.
And I can't say that I recommend them, haha. I check them because I kind of have to. One of the things to enjoy when the ski season finishes is not having to look at those things every day!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -10℃, 15cm snowfall in 12 hrs, pale moon, calm. Moiwa 800m: -12.4℃, WNW2.3m/s, 18m/s at 4am, cornice development. Annupuri 1100m: -14.7℃, WNW6.2m/s, cornice development, good visibility. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -13.7℃, SSW6.2m/s, 20-30 cm thick slow slab development. Mikaeri 750m: -11℃, WNW2.6m/s, snowing heavily. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NW13m/s. Kamui Cape WSW9m/s, 1014hPa, wave 1.7m.
Though we are in a winter pressure system, isobars are wide, wind continues at 10-15m/s with slow cornice and wind-driven snow slab development on leeward slopes. Tests show that the cornices break widely at 100cm, however the fracture surface is marbled and consolidated. Avalanche risk on general slopes is low. Snow in the tree run is good. Each gate is expected to be open, depending on chair lift operation. Outside of the gates is not a ski resort. Be prepared before going out of the gates. Although it is not mandatory to have a beacon, it is strongly recommended that you do. Having one can save your life. Do not duck ropes. Never enter strictly off limits areas. The risks on severe winter slopes are unpredictable. Do not rely on luck. You may have been lucky but it doesn't mean that you won’t get caught in an avalanche today. Surface avalanches in winter are fast and travel long distances. Today’s mountain is pretty good. Have a good day.
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Individual ski area information for Thursday 16th January 2025
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day at the time of writing.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 14cm
Base: 11cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 220cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 180cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are scheduled to be operating
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: 15cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 260cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 130cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
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: 165cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 135cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are operating
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: 190cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 130cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
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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 Thursday 16th January 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 455cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 48 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 23cm (16th December) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 311cm reported on 28 days January 2025 snowfall 106cm 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.