Niseko Now: Friday 19th January 2024
- Jan 19, 2024
- 5 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 603cm
Posted on Friday 19th January 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It's another lovely start this morning. Blue sky, sun, cloud, shadows. I wonder if the blue sky will last today?
I have a dusting of snow to report and can just about justify the 2cm in this report.
The Niseko Village ski area webcam is shaking around as if there's a major earthquake happening at the moment (there isn't), so it looks quite windy at least in that location. I can't say it feels that windy where I am. Curious.
Yesterday I mentioned that the top (Jumbo Number 4) lift at Annupuri might open from today. Well, it seems like it has been delayed again. Doh!
The ski area is now saying that the lift is 'expected to start after 20th January'. I don't know what is going on there.
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I have recently heard a few comments (on the ground, here) about Niseko being very busy.
In some ways, with all the information available, I do find this rather odd. It is not a secret that Niseko is an extremely popular destination. That's largely due to the generally lovely and consistent snow conditions that it enjoys. It's also partly due to lots of marketing - which is, of course, made easier by the generally lovely and consistent snow conditions that it enjoys.
If you are visiting Niseko, you should expect it to be busy. So if many other people around you and busy places annoy you, I might suggest that Niseko is not the right place for you.
There are literally hundreds of ski areas in Japan, and, believe it or not, many of them are uncrowded and very quiet. (One example that got me on this line of thought: I was reading this recent review and photos from a ski area called Muikamachi Hakkaisan in Niigata Prefecture, where the reviewer commented that it was almost spookily quiet).
Hundreds of ski areas are not necessarily quiet because they are rubbish. (Though some might be, it depends on what you like). It's just that they are not the focus of attention. Or they are not quite as convenient to get to. Or that they are just small, modest local places. Most of them are nothing like Niseko (which is very much far from being your 'average Japanese ski area') and offer a totally different experience. Some are even free to use!
It all depends on what is important to you, and everyone has their own priorities. Many will still choose Niseko, with the lure of the snow quality just too much to resist. :)
I'm just saying that if you want to experience quiet, traditional Japanese ski areas, you have a huge amount of choices available to you.
I recommend starting your research on this website.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6am: -5°, trace new snow. Moiwa 800m: -16.2°(sensor broken?), NNE3.4m/s. Mikaeri 764m: -8°, light wind, 3cm new snow, limited visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -10.8°, N3.9m/s. Village 1000: -9.4°, N1.5m/s. Hanazono 1000m: -9.4°, N8.4m/s(max 18m/s @ 2am). Hanazono 3 : -7.9°, NNE4.1m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:E8m/s. Kamui Cape ENE3m/s, 1028hPa, wave 1.5m.
Light winds below 1500m elev, the sea and mountains are calm with no significant snow drift development. From this morning's data, observations, groomer and patrol reports, the general avalanche risk is low. Hirafu Gate No2 is expected to be open. Outside the gates is not part of the resort and is unmanaged terrain. Please prepare before going out. Almost 1000 people summited yesterday and there were not accidents reported. The resorts and local area appreciate riders common sense. Yesterday, an avalanche lesson was held for some of the older students at Niseko Kondo Elementary School. We would like to thank Deputy Chief Matsumoto, Regional Division Chief Masuda, and other Kutchan Police officials for their cooperation. Accidents at the ski resorts are increasing. Ride according to your skills. Be careful on the roads. Cars cannot stop suddenly on slippery roads and with limited grip you cannot steer and brake heavily at the same time. Have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Friday 19th January 2024
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: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 300cm (-10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 130cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- All lifts operating apart from Ace Number 1 pair, King Number 1 pair and King Number 2 quad
- The Ace Family quad, Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four), Hirafu Gondola and Holiday Number 1 pair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 2cm
- Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 235cm (-5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 180cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- All lifts operating
- The Hanazono Symphony Gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 200cm
- Base: 180cm
Lifts:
- All lifts operating apart from Jumbo Number 4 pair
- The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 232cm
- Base: 160cm
Lifts:
- All lifts operating apart from Country Road
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Friday 19th January 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 603cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 51 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 62cm (8th January) November 2023 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 days December 2023 snowfall 247cm reported on 24 days January 2024 snowfall 236cm 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.