Niseko Now: Saturday 16th March 2024
- Mar 16, 2024
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 863cm
Posted on Saturday 16th March 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko on this middle day of March.
And... I have a little more snowfall to report from yesterday afternoon. Ski areas are reporting up to 5cm of fresh and my own measurement is just over 2cm.
Early on we have a lot of cloud and some blue sky. While we can expect to get some clearer skies and sun during the day today, there is more snow expected in the coming days.
It has been a bit windy but the lifts all seem to be opening as planned.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base : -2°, 5cm new snow, snowdrift development at midnight. Moiwa 800m: -5.6°, NNW7.3m/s , cornice and snowdrift development at midnight. Mikaeri 764m: -8.6°, NNW7.3m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -7.0°, WNW6.2m/s. Village 1000: -5.7°, WNW4.9m/s. Hanazono 1000m: -6.5°, WNW4.9m/s. Hanazono 3 : -4.3°, NNW0.0m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NNW11m/s. Kamui Cape NNE4m/s (max N25-39m/s @ 10pm), 1019hPa, wave 0.8m
A strong north wind blew until midnight causing heavy snowdrift development up to 50cm in depressions on south facing valleys above 800m. Based on observation and data snowdrifts have started to stabilise, however the avalanche risk continues above 1000m where new snow has fallen. Always be careful in valleys and gullies where there is a large elevation change, like on Mt Yotei. Valleys and gullies should never be used as ski routes. Peak gates are expected to be open. Please follow the Patrols advice. BackBowl sidewalls and the Osawa cornice slope near 1000m are also dangerous areas. Conditions are different to yesterday, better to avoid these areas. This information is provided to ski resort users to prevent out of bounds accidents. Although beacons aren't mandatory, you should have them. You will have a better chance of saving each other if you have them. Ducking ropes to go out of bounds is strictly prohibited in Niseko. Please respect Niseko rules. A pamphlet explaining the rules is available at all ticket counters. Even though it's spring at the base, it's still winter higher up in the mountains. Have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Saturday 16th March 2024
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 and subject to change.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 300cm (-5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 100cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts apart from King Number 1 pair and King Number 2 quad (normal operations)
- The Ace Family quad, Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four), Hirafu Gondola and Holiday Number 1 pair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
Planned closing date (subject to conditions):
- Monday 6th May 2024
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 255cm (+5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 165cm (+5cm since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
- The Hanazono Symphony Gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
Planned closing date (subject to conditions):
- Sunday 7th April 2024
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 220cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 130cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
- The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
Planned closing date (subject to conditions):
- Monday 6th May 2024
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 234cm (+3cm since yesterday)
- Base: 133cm (-5cm since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts apart from Country Road
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
Planned closing date (subject to conditions):
- Sunday 7th April 2024
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Night skiing
Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Wednesday 20th March 2024.
Night skiing is usually until 7:00pm at Hirafu, Hanazono, Village and until 7:30pm at Annupuri.
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Saturday 16th March 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 863cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 89 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 62cm (8th January) November 2023 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 days December 2023 snowfall 247cm reported on 24 days January 2024 snowfall 298cm reported on 24 days February 2024 snowfall 144cm reported on 20 days March 2024 snowfall 54cm reported on 10 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.