Niseko Now: Friday 18th April 2014
- Apr 18, 2014
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 30, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 1163cm
Posted on Friday 18th April 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Some thin cloud up there this morning but generally another fine start to the day here. It was rather chilly overnight actually - I'm seeing it was down to around -5 degrees - though a high of around 7 is expected.
We have had one or two people ask about the snow depth numbers posted below. I have explained this in a previous report before in that they are the 'official' snow depth numbers that the resort publish each day. Is there a uniform 75cm at the base of the resort? Well, no. There's still very good cover of snow on the slopes, but as you can see from the images we post each day, there's places here and there where the snow has dried up and there's ground showing through. So just take the numbers with a pinch of finest salt, but we think it is interesting to have a record of the numbers throughout the season.
Oh yes, someone else asked why we continue to post reports at this late stage of the season. The easy answer to that one is that we simply want to cover the entire Niseko season. Just because it's not peak season and it isn't snowing regularly now doesn't mean that Niseko is closed. There might not be much to report these days, but we'll be updating Niseko Now from time to time right through until the last day of the season.
(I'll very much enjoy those first few lie-ins once the reports finish though!)
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Official snow depth numbers and planned operating lifts at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu:
Top - 300cm
Base - 75cm
Ace Number 2 Center Four lift
King Number 3 Triple
King Number 4
(* Hirafu Gondola will open only on 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th, 29th April and 3-6th May)
Annupuri:
Top - 310cm
Base - 100cm
Annupuri Gondola
Jumbo No1 quad
Jumbo No4 pair
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Niseko Annupuri plans to be at least part open until Tuesday 6th May.
Niseko Grand Hirafu plans to be at least part open until Tuesday 6th May.
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Niseko Hanazono Resort is now closed for the season.
Niseko Village is closed at the moment but plans to re-open between 26th April and 6th May (Golden Week).
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Friday 18th April 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 1163cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 101 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (14th January) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days December 2013 snowfall 275cm reported on 22 days January 2014 snowfall 461cm reported on 29 days February 2014 snowfall 178cm reported on 20 days March 2014 snowfall 113cm reported on 17 days April 2014 snowfall 13cm reported on 4 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.