Niseko Now: Tuesday 18th January 2022
- Jan 18, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 6cm
Snowfall at base this season 614cm
Posted on Tuesday 18th January 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It is a very cold morning and an absolute beauty! Blue skies, some wispy sort-of clouds and sunshine. Mt Yotei has decided that cloud hat is not required this morning and looking very elegant.
And yes, just a bit of snow from yesterday. We haven't had many days like this this season so I am sure a (relatively, for this season) lot of people will be wanting to get out and up there. (And it might even be snowing again by later in the day). I have already had my toast and once I post this I'll be checking it out myself. All in the interests of being able to report to you, of course. I do take my duties very seriously.
All lifts that plan to be operating should be open as normal this morning.
(Hanazono gondola still closed).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base -10℃, no snowfall, calm and radiative cooling. Moiwa 800m: -11℃, calm, some light snowfall and 40-50cm snowdrifts. Annupuri1150m: -10℃, W6m/s, partially crusty. Hirafu peak ridge: -13℃, calm. Coastal data Benkei cape: NW2m/s, Kamui cape: NNW2m/s, 1006hPa, 1.0m waves.
The atmospheric pressure gradient is flat and the ocean and mountain are calm. The newly formed snowdrifts from the low-pressure snowfall are now stable. The western aspects above 1100m are crusted due to yesterday’s wind&snow. A light northerly storm is forecasted to start from this afternoon, but the general avalanche risk is relatively low today. Please seek advice from the ski patrols at the gates. Traversing can be the trigger of an avalanche. If you cannot trace the fall-line, you shouldn’t attempt riding a steep open slope. Some cornices have grown very big and can suddenly fall with a light stimulation. The snow in the trees is nice again today. Beware of hitting trees, they’re stronger than you. It’s highly recommended to wear a helmet. Have you turned your beacon ON? Carrying one will increase the chance to save someone’s life. Today looks like it’ll be a nice day.
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Planned ski area operations: Tuesday 18th 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: 350cm (+15cm)
- Base: 170cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
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
- 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: 277cm (+4cm)
- Base: 215cm (+3cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 10cm
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]
- Note: the gondola is currently closed due to staffing issues
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 230cm (-40cm) (!)
- Base: 185cm (+15cm) (!!)
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: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
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 Tuesday 18th January 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 614cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 47 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 222cm reported on 18 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.