Niseko Now: Wednesday 19th January 2022
- Jan 19, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 5cm
Snowfall at base this season 619cm
Posted on Wednesday 19th January 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Hey, what's this? More blue sky this morning! It is a beautiful morning. I have another (slightly over) 5cm of fresh snow to report, so not a huge amount, but we'll happily take it. I have been able to report fresh snowfall from base in every report since 16th December. Nice going. There is a chance that the amazing run will be come to an end tomorrow. Boooooo! Some more snow around Friday, but it's a much calmer and not-much-snow kind of run of days through into next week. That's what different forecasts seem to be saying at the moment anyway. Let's see what happens.
There is a light northerly wind and it should be another very agreeable day out there.
All lifts (that are scheduled to be open) should be opening, as should top gates.
No news yet on the Hanazono gondola and when that might re-open. Next time I mention that will be when there is any related news.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base -5℃, 15cm snowfall, light wind, calm. Moiwa 800m: -7℃, Northerly wind 10m/s 15cm snowfall, snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -9℃, NE10m/s, 20cm snowfall. Hirafu peak ridge: -11℃, strong wind, snowdrift development, 20cm snowfall on groomers. Coastal data Benkei cape: ESE5m/s, Kamui cape: ENE5m/s, 1016hPa, 2.3m waves.
The atmospheric pressure distribution changed to winter pattern with the west high/east low pressure system from yesterday afternoon, and at 1,000m elevation, a weak northerly wind and snow continued until midnight, and snowdrifts slowly developed. The surface has been reset above 700m elevation with light crystal snow. According to the observation and weather data, overall avalanche risk is relatively low. All the peak gates will be open. Please seek advice from the ski patrols and be prepared before you go outside the gates. Cornice slopes above 1000m elevation and open steep slopes are prone to shallow surface avalanches in some places. The snow in the trees is nice again today. Beware of hitting trees. It’s highly recommended to wear a helmet. Visibility was good at dawn, and the moon could be seen between the clouds. There is no guarantee of safety in winter mountains. Have you turned your beacon ON? It’s cold in higher elevations. Beware of hypothermia and frostbites. Hope today will be a good day.
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Planned ski area operations: Wednesday 19th 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: 340cm (-10cm)
- Base: 170cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
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: 275cm (-2cm)
- Base: 222cm (+7cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- 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 (no change)
- Base: 185cm (no change)
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 Wednesday 19th January 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 619cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 48 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 227cm reported on 19 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.