Niseko Now: Friday 17th February 2023
- Feb 17, 2023
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 8cm
Snowfall at base this season 854cm
Posted on Friday 17th February 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It feels milder this morning, though it is still -3C.
I have measured another 9cm of snowfall since yesterday morning and, guess what, it is snowing. Lightly for the moment.
Hirafu and Hanazono are both reporting up to 20cm on the mountain.
I was just looking at our snowfall numbers for the season, as well as those for other regions of Japan (on the other Now reports). The one thing that stood out to me is just how consistent the snowfall here in Niseko is. Just look at the graph lower down this page!
I have said it before, but while we might not get the sometimes-bonkers massive snowfall numbers that some regions get on some days, we get that real consistency. I would like to experience the madness one day, but I think I'll take the consistency. Especially with the quality of snow that we usually get here.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -5C, 10cm new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: -5.7C, WSW2.8m/s, 10cm new snow, calm. Annupuri 1100m: -8.2C, W7.4m/s, 15cm new snow, strong winds, snowdrift development. Mizuno no Sawa top: -7.1C, WNW5.8m/s. Hirafu Hanazono: -8.3C, SE0.8m/s, 10cm new snow. Hanazono#3: -4.9C, ENE2.8m/s, 10cm new snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape WNW10m/s, Kamui Cape: WSW11m/s, 1021hPa, 1.2m waves.
Although the isobars are widely spaced, there is strong winds at sea and above 1100m. About 15cm of light snow has accumulated in the trees, not enough for a full reset though. From the morning's observation and data, the general avalanche is low. Peak gates are expected to open. Please listen to the patrols advice and prepare before going out of bounds. The winter mountains are always dangerous, when outside the ski area always consider your decisions carefully. To avoid avalanches, cross open steep slopes and valleys one at a time, dont traverse steep cornice slopes and don't stop or wait in gullies. You can expect poor visibility at times so always know your location. Ride carefully because cracks and holes are opening up and are hard to see from above. Accidents can be prevented with care. The snow is good. Is your beacon on? Have a good day.
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Ski area information for Friday 17th February 2023
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day, weather permitting.
Official snow depth numbers in brackets show the change since previous report.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 20cm
- Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 375cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 165cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Ace Family quad [* open until for 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four) [* open until for 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- King Number 3 quad
- King Number 4
- Swinging Monkey
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 15cm
- Base: 18cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 315cm (+5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 255cm (+5cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 260cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 190cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad [* open until 7:30pm for night skiing]
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair [* normally open on weekends and holidays]
- Jumbo Number 4 pair
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 240cm (+5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 215cm (+5cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Niseko Gondola
- Upper Village Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Banzai Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Wonderland Chair
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
- Number 1 pair lift
- Number 2 pair lift
- Quad lift
Niseko Now 2022-2023 season |
Data as of Friday 17th February 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 854cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 75 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (27th & 28th January, 6th February) November 2022 snowfall 17cm reported on 5 days December 2022 snowfall 336cm reported on 27 days January 2023 snowfall 332cm reported on 27 days February 2023 snowfall 169cm reported on 16 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.