Niseko Now: Tuesday 19th December 2023
- Dec 19, 2023
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 13cm
Snowfall at base this season 216cm
Posted on Tuesday 19th December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
A good morning to you all from Niseko.
I have another 13cm of measured snowfall since yesterday to add to the report this morning. The day is starting with snow falling - light at times, moderate at times and the wind is behaving.
More lifts are operating now, including all the gondolas. Check out the list below for the latest. We still could do with more snow and need it for the mountain to fully open, but forecasts are still looking good for regular snow that will be heavy at times. Most significant upcoming snowfall currently due on Friday.
Santa and his entourage should be very pleased on their upcoming visit. By the way, be wary of people pretending to be Santa at other ski areas in Japan and other countries. In department stores, too. The real Santa chooses Niseko, of course. ;)
(He might have difficulty finding mince pies and eggnog, though. There's no Kentucky Fried Chicken in Niseko either. Hmmm. Anyway, the snow should be great!)
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -10C, 10cm snowfall in 12h, calm morning. Mikaeri 764m: -10C, NE wind calming down, 150cm snowpack. No data from Moiwa and Annupuri. Hirafu Hanazono: -13.7C, ESE3.9m/s, Hanazono#3 chair: -13.3C, N7.9m/s (15m/s max). Coastal data: Benkei cape NW11m/s, Kamui cape WSW8m/s, 1025hPa, 1.6m waves.
The pressure distribution is shifting and the wind is calming down. Wave height on the sea of Japan is lowering. The snowpack at 1000m elevation has reached 150cm on the ridge, 200cm in leeward slopes. Cornices and snowdrifts are stabilising and the avalanche hazard level is lowering. The ungroomed slopes of the resorts are in epic condition.
Beware of hiding tree stumps and Sasa-bamboo. Bamboo leaves can cut your face. Out of bounds skiing is not permitted for now, please be patient until the access gates open.
Cold temps again today. Have a good one.
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Individual ski area information for Tuesday 19th December 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 at the time of writing and subject to change.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 30cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 150cm (+20cm since yesterday)
- Base: 55cm (+10cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Ace Family quad *
- Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four)
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Hirafu Gondola
- King Number 3 quad
Courses:
- Center
- Family
- Sennoki
- Alpen
- Beginners
- Green
- Jumbo
- Shirakaba
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 15cm
- Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 110cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 85cm (+5cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola *
Courses:
- Juicy Fruit
- Yotei Sunset
- Parallel
- Mango Salad
- Silver Dream
- Crystal Garden
- Stairway to Heaven
- Renraku
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 80cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 50cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo quad *
Courses:
- Utopia
- Shirakaba
- Paradise
- Junior
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 75cm
- Base: 57cm
Lifts:
- Niseko Gondola
- Upper Village Gondola *
- Village Express *
- Community Chair
- Banzai Chair *
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Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Wednesday 20th March 2024.
Night skiing is usually until 7:00pm at Hirafu, Hanazono, Village and until 7:30pm at Annupuri.
Lifts marked with an asterix (*) are normally scheduled to operate for night skiing.
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Tuesday 19th December 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 216cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 23 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 31cm (18th December) November 2023 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 days December 2023 snowfall 96cm reported on 12 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.