Niseko Now: Saturday 18th February 2023
- Feb 18, 2023
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 7cm
Snowfall at base this season 861cm
Posted on Saturday 18th February 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I have another 7cm of snow to report to you this morning after a day of cloud, light snow and some blue sky too.
I also have some blue skies and sunshine to report early this morning. I haven't been able to do much of that this season so far. Relatively mild temps too - right now around Hirafu base it is slightly under 0C and the sun might push that a few more above zero during the day. Temps should be dropping again from later tomorrow.
Anyway, it is a fine morning and the ski areas should all be open as planned. Let's enjoying.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -2C, 10cm new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: -3.5C, WSW4.0m/s, 10cm new snow, minor snowdrift development. Annupuri 1100m: -6.0C, W8.0m/s. Mizuno no Sawa top: -4.8C, WNW4.8m/s. Hirafu Hanazono: -5.8C, SSE3.2m/s. Hanazono#3: -2.5C, WNW5.5m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape WNW13m/s, Kamui Cape: SW13m/s, 1018hPa, 1.0m waves.
Warm air is flowing into the Sea of Japan with moderate seas and a W wind. Cold air is still around above 1000m causing thick fog where it hits the lower level warm air. Visibility is good below 800m though. From observations and data the snow has stabilised and the general avalanche risk is low. All gates are expected to be open. Also from observations and snowfall data expect Feb 18 layer to be significant in the future snowpack. There are many dangers in the mountains in winter, but if you are careful accidents can be avoided. Avalanches are a natural occurrence and only become accidents when people are involved. Don't be the cause of an avalanche and don't be the one who is in the bottom of a gully when an avalanche comes. Is your beacon on? Have a nice day.
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Ski area information for Saturday 18th 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: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 380cm (+5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 170cm (+5cm 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
- Ace Number 4 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: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 305cm (-10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 250cm (-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: 10cm
- Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 260cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 200cm (+10cm 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: 245cm (+5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 220cm (+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 Saturday 18th February 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 861cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 76 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 176cm 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.