Niseko Now: Monday 17th January 2022
- Jan 17, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 608cm
Posted on Monday 17th January 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I have 12cm of new snowfall to report to you on this Monday morning. It's feeling relatively mild this morning and right now it's just -1C outside my place. Snow quality seems to reflects that, we can't have the top quality stuff every day. Forecasts seem to show the snow still coming in, perhaps in modest amounts on and off through this week. We might get to see some clear ski from time to time as well. Thankfully wind does not looks like it should be a big issue this week. Which would be nice.
As for right now, just before 8:30am, snow has started to fall quite heavily as I prepare to post the report and visibility is quite poor in places. And Annupuri gondola hasn't opened as planned, not sure why...
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I mentioned yesterday that the gondola at Hanazono was not moving at the start of the day. Since then they have announced that there are some staffing issues. Basically, due to a number of staff testing positive for COVID-19 and others around them having to not work due to that. That means that the gondola and night skiing will be closed for the moment. As far as I can tell there is no specific re-opening timeline, but I'll keep an eye on it and let you know when they are able to get going again.
Annoying. Perhaps we should be thankful that places are able to remain open this season so far, though with rising (case) numbers in Japan who knows if the government might introduce restrictions...
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -1℃, 10cm new snow, light winds. Moiwa 800m: -6℃, NW10m/s, 20cm new snow, cornice and snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -6℃, NW10m/s, 20cm new snow. Hirafu Ridgeline: -7℃, strong winds, snowdrift development. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NNW15m/s. Kamui Cape: NW11m/s, 1007hPa, wave 1.7m.
A low pressure system passed through earlier this morning with 10-25cm new snow. Above 800m the surface is wind scoured but there is no significant snowdrift development. A Jan 16th layer has formed within the snowpack. From observation the snow conditions are good and the general avalanche risk is low. Peak gates will be opened depending on weather. Around 700m in Mikaeri area the risk of full depth avalanches continues. Also a high risk of surface avalanches on Jan 2nd layer continues around 1100m in Kozan no Sawa. Be careful on these slopes. Don't wait in the valley bottoms. Forests are reset and good riding, however be careful hitting trees. Do not ski cut knolls, shallow avalanches are likely. A north/west light snow wind will set in following the passing of the low pressure. Be careful of a sudden weather change and poor visibility. You might need a backup pair of googles. Have a good day.
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Planned ski area operations: Monday 17th 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 (+5cm)
- Base: 170cm (+10cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
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: 273cm (+13cm)
- Base: 212cm (+14cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 20cm
- Base: 20cm
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 (no change)
- Base: 170cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
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 no change
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 5cm
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 Monday 17th January 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 608cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 46 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 216cm reported on 17 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.