Niseko Now: Tuesday 18th December 2018
- Dec 18, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 4, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 4cm
Snowfall at base this season 264cm
Posted on Tuesday 18th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
4cm of fresh snowfall at base since yesterday and it is feeling colder; this fresh snow looks somewhat better quality than what we got yesterday which is good but I wouldn't expect conditions to be top quality - we need a thicker fresh layer for that.
(Remember, that kind of comment is not meant in any way as a downer - I just only tell you when I think things are 'top quality' when they really, really are! Otherwise, there's no comparison is there, and it makes the comments useless).
As we approach 8:30am there is some blue sky up there (see images below) as well as cloud hanging on, but we can expect the snow clouds to not be far away during the next few days.
Anyway, look out for windy conditions today that may well affect lift operations. Apart from the Annupuri Gondola moving at slower speed it looks like lifts are starting the day as planned as of 8:30am.
I just realised, I haven't had to mention wind so much yet this season. Still, it's early!
Oh yes, one bit of course news from Niseko Grand Hirafu - the Onsenzawa course is now open, so apart from the top area and Miharashi all areas of Hirafu are open during the daytime hours.
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It's good to see other parts of Japan getting some snow, though generally it does look like it has been a slow-ish start to the snow season country-wide.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6.00am: -3°, light snowfall over last 12hrs. Moiwa 800m: -5°, W8m/s, 30cm new snowdrift growth, wind effected rippled snow surface, good visibility. Hirafu 1000m no data. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW14m/s. Kamui Cape: W10m/s, 1004hPa, wave 2.1m.
We are currently under influence of a weak winter weather pattern with a NW snow wind blowing into the area causing a small amount of slow snowdrift growth, which when tested there is no obvious fracture. Around 1000m the avalanche risk is low. However, low elevation south facing off limits areas and under steep lift lines, shallow avalanches from the 15-16th layer are occurring easily.
Bamboo and bushes are not buried yet, a little more time is needed before riding out of bounds will be ready. Don't duck the ropes.
The snow conditions at low elevations is not so good but higher up, above 600m, the groomers are good. Be careful going fast and hitting a trees. This information is based on Niseko Rules and is published for the safety of all mountain users.
The snow on the side of the runs is a bit catchy, beware unseen obstacles under the snow. Have a good day.
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Ski resort operation information: Tuesday 18th December 2018
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 185cm
- Base: 90cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Ace Family quad (until 8:30pm)
- Ace Number 2 Center Four (until 8:20pm)
- Ace Number 3 pair (until 3:30pm)
- Hirafu Gondola (until 8:10pm)
- Holiday Number 1 Pair (until 8:30pm)
- King Number 3 quad (until 3:30pm)
- Swinging Monkey (until 3:00pm)
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 140cm
- Base: 95cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad (until 3:30pm)
- Hanazono Number 2 quad (until 3:30pm)
- Hanazono Number 3 quad (until 3:00pm)
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono Courses:
- All courses apart from the below courses are now open
- Large
- Miharashi
- Dynamic
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 160cm
- Base: 90cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola (until 3:15pm)
- Dream Number 1 quad (until 5:30pm)
- Jumbo Number 1 quad (until 8:30pm)
- Jumbo Number 2 pair (until 3:15pm)
- Jumbo Number 3 pair (until 3:15pm)
Courses:
- Utopia
- Silver
- Shirakaba
- Paradise
- Family
- Junior
- Dynamic
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 150cm
- Base: 90cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola (until 3:00pm)
- Upper Village Gondola (until 8:00pm)
- Village Express (until 8:00pm)
- Community Chair (until 4:30pm)
- Banzai Chair (until 8:00pm)
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Tuesday 18th December 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 264cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 23 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 25cm (23rd November and 14th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 180cm reported on 15 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.