Niseko Now: Sunday 18th December 2022
- Dec 18, 2022
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 15cm
Snowfall at base this season 241cm
Posted on Sunday 18th December 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
This morning there's another good 15cm of fresh snowfall to add to the report, bringing my total observed snowfall here at base to 241cm for the season so far. As I write this, it is snowing lightly in places but it's actually fairly bright and there is even some blue sky in places.
As noted in the Avalanche Report, the snow we have is still not deemed enough for everywhere to be open. A few more days of this and surely the 'fully open' bell will be ringing.
It was great to see the floodlights on last night... always feels like the season is open proper when that happens.
I hope you have a fine day, wherever you may be.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base 6am: -6℃, 20cm since dawn, 7am visibility improved. Moiwa 800m: -8℃, heavy snowfall, 30cm snow in last 12hrs. Annupuri 1000m: -10℃, strong W wind snow, 30cm snow in last 12hrs, snowdrift development. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: N15 m/s. Kamui Cape: W11m/s, 1003 hPa, wave 1.9m.
The winter weather pattern has temporarily strengthened with soft slab snowdrifts forming above 800m. 30cm of good quality variable crushed crystal snow has accumulated in the trees.
Although the amount of rideable off-piste terrain is increasing, there is still not enough snow and plenty of bamboo and holes to catch you out. Beware. Out of bounds areas are not ready to ride yet and gates are still closed. Do not duck the ropes to access.
From data and observation the avalanche risk is low below 900m. Avalanche risk remains high at 1100m on cornice slopes and knolls due to the wind and low temperatures. Best not to enter Back Bowl, Mikaeri Bowl, Osawa cornice slope or Higashi One around 1000m until the weather improves and snowdrifts can consolidate. Watch out for sudden weather changes, poor visibility and frostbite. Most accidents can be prevented with care. Have a good day.
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Ski area information for Sunday 18th December 2022
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.
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: ?cm [official sources not updated yet]
- Base: ?cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 160cm (not updated since yesterday)
- Base: 80cm (not updated since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Ace Family quad
- Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four) [* open until for 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- King Number 3 quad
Courses:
- All courses are now open except Onsenzawa, Large, Konayuki, Miharashi and Dynamic
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 12cm
- Base: 15cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 135cm (+7cm change since yesterday)
- Base: 97cm (+2cm 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: 15cm
- Base: 15cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 130cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 100cm (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
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 110cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 100cm (+10cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Niseko Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Banzai Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
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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 Sunday 18th December 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 241cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 22 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 21cm (17th December) November 2022 snowfall 17cm reported on 5 days December 2022 snowfall 224cm 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.