Niseko Now: Wednesday 19th December 2018
- Dec 19, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 4, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 276cm
Posted on Wednesday 19th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Some decent snowfall yesterday during the day, but it eased off overnight. Sounded like it was quite windy out there.
The result - I am measuring 12cm of snow this morning. Again, not the best quality - bit on the wet side - but we're happy to have the snow continue coming in.
It looks like Japan is going to be experiencing some warmer conditions as the weekend approaches. For us that means that temps might creep just over the zero level and hopefully not much more than that. There's still fairly regular snowfall lined up though.
I have to post my report before the lifts open this morning; fairly strong westerly winds may be a factor today.
Oh yes, the Miharashi course is open at Niseko Grand Hirafu from this morning - so just the top area remaining closed there now.
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Rudolph just got in touch to let me know that Santa-san will be on the slopes of Niseko Grand Hirafu on 23rd and 24th December. And he will even be giving out small presents to people he meets on the slopes. He is also going to be making time to be on the slopes over at Niseko Annupuri as well, on the 24th and 25th. Also complete with presents for children.
Not exactly sure how he'll work out the split on the 24th, but... what a gent!
Unconfirmed if he will also make an appearance at the other areas, but I suspect there is a chance that he might.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6.00am: -3°, 10cm wet heavy snow with a little hail and wind overnight. Moiwa 800m: -4°, E10m/s, 20cm new snowdrift development. Hirafu 1000m strong NE wind, 10cm new snow, some snowdrift development within the ski area. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: WNW17m/s. Kamui Cape: WSW14m/s, 1007hPa, wave 2.9m.
The atmospheric pressure gradient is steep over the Sea of Japan, with a high pressure south and low pressure north of here. Coastal temperatures are high. A strong westerly snow wind, around 20m/s, persists above 1100m causing cornice and snow drift development on leeward slopes. The avalanche risk is high above 1200m under leeward knolls and ridge lines.
Mikaeri 800m the snow depth is 120cm but bamboo and bushes are still showing through.
Many avalanche accidents by stimulating thick, heavy wind slabs that have developed rapidly during blizzard conditions. Take care on steep slopes where your ski or board does not float. There is good but heavy snow in the forest. Be careful crashing into trees though.
Don't duck the ropes. The out of bounds areas are still not ready to ride. Have a good day.
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Ski resort operation information: Wednesday 19th 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: 195cm
- Base: 95cm
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: 135cm
- 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
- 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 Wednesday 19th December 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 276cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 24 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 25cm (23rd November and 14th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 192cm reported on 16 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.