Niseko Now: Saturday 1st April 2023
- Apr 1, 2023
- 6 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 1006cm
Posted on Saturday 1st April 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
It's another mix of cloud and blue sky this morning.
More is sun (and perhaps less cloud) is due over the next few days.
Snow cover still holding up.
It's Saturday but it feels rather quiet...
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A look back at the season so far: until the end of March 2023:
Today is the 1st of April, and time for my monthly look back at the season so far. I will try not to be Foolish with my comments! (See what I did there?) 😉
As always, I will begin with my observed snowfall numbers (observed by me from close to the base of Hirafu). And here they are:
This season so far, up to and including 31st March, I have observed snowfall on 90 days this season.
5 days in November 2022
27 days in December 2022
27 days in January 2023
25 days in February 2023
6 days in March 2023
The most reported snowfall on any one day this season remains 24cm.
This data (updated daily with each report) can be found on the Season archive page here:
2022-2023 season (data from this season)
Here is how much snowfall I have measured during March over the last eleven seasons:
March 2023: 32cm
March 2022: 81cm
March 2021: 79cm
March 2020: 59cm
March 2019: 45cm
March 2018: 49cm
March 2017: 83cm
March 2016: 109cm
March 2015: 139cm
March 2014: 113cm
March 2013: 164cm
I don't know about you, but I cannot help but notice those larger numbers from 2013 through 2016. (Check out 2013... hmmm).
After a consistent season from the beginning of December until the end of February, snowfall suddenly got much scarcer once we entered March. We had a few days with some decent snow at the beginning of the month, but since 6th March, I have only been able to report fresh snowfall on three days (a total of 7cm).
This wasn't just a Niseko or Hokkaido thing.
From what I can tell, the whole of Japan had a relatively warm March, and many ski areas in western and central Japan have had to close earlier than planned.
Here's how much snowfall I have observed up until the end of March in each of the seasons:
2022/2023 season up to the end of March 2023: 1006cm
2021/2022 season up to the end of March 2022: 1135cm
2020/2021 season up to the end of March 2021: 1201cm
2019/2020 season up to the end of March 2020: 718cm
2018/2019 season up to the end of March 2019: 945cm
2017/2018 season up to the end of March 2018: 1247cm
2016/2017 season up to the end of March 2017: 686cm
2015/2016 season up to the end of March 2016: 983cm
2014/2015 season up to the end of March 2015: 1141cm
2013/2014 season up to the end of March 2014: 1150cm
2012/2013 season up to the end of March 2013: 1459cm
So, the total observed snowfall for the season (so far) is 1006cm. Just over 10m. That is less than the previous two seasons but more than the two seasons before that. And it works out slightly below the average for the last eleven seasons (1061cm).
Will we get any snowfall in April?
Well, it feels very unlikely we'll get any (especially here at base), but stranger things might have happened. And the world is a bit mad, right? So, I dare not rule it out. Here's how much snow I have reported in previous years in April:
April 2022: 2cm
April 2021: 9cm
April 2020: 10cm
April 2019: 6cm
April 2018: 13cm
April 2017: 0cm
April 2016: 6cm
April 2015: 3cm
April 2014: 13cm
April 2013: 32cm
This data, also updated daily with each report, is also available in detail on the Snowfall analysis page here:
Snowfall analysis (graphs and charts and stuff)
Spring tending to arrive early is a concern.
Still, I am guessing that Niseko businesses are quite pleased with the 2022-2023 season. The opening of borders before winter was a big relief, and many eager folks quickly returned. Service providers should be more prepared for staffing in time for the 2023-2024 season. Hopefully, everything might feel fully back to normal come December.
But anyway, the 2022-2023 season isn't over just yet.
Niseko Village, Niseko Hanazono and Niseko Moiwa ski areas plan to be open until Sunday, 9th April. And Hirafu and Annupuri aim to continue on until Sunday, 7th May.
I will be with you until the last day of the season.
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Ski area information for Saturday 1st April 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, weather permitting.
Official snow depth numbers in brackets show the change since previous report.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Info:
- All courses are still available, apart from lower Super course
- From 3rd April, three lifts will remain operating at Hirafu (Hirafu Gondola, King Number 3 quad, King Number 4)
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 300cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 40cm (-10cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Ace Family quad
- Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four)
- Hirafu Gondola
- King Number 3 quad
- King Number 4
Planned season:
- Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu plans to be open until Sunday 7th May 2023
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 220cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 130cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola
Planned season:
- Niseko HANAZONO Resort plans to be open until Sunday 9th April 2023
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Info:
- All courses are still available, apart from Marchen and Fukayuki Rinkan
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 190cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 65cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 4 pair
Planned season:
- Niseko Annupuri Kokusai plans to be open until Sunday 7th May 2023
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 180cm (-5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 140cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Niseko Gondola
- Village Express
- Banzai Chair
- Wonderland Chair
Planned season:
- Niseko Village Ski Resort plans to be open until Sunday 9th April 2023
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
- Number 1 pair lift
- Number 2 pair lift
Planned season:
- Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort plans to be open until Sunday 9th April 2023 (* extended)
Niseko Now 2022-2023 season |
Data as of Saturday 1st April 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 1006cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 90 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (27th & 28th January, 6th February) November 2022 snowfall 17cm reported on 5 days December 2022 snowfall 336cm reported on 27 days January 2023 snowfall 332cm reported on 27 days February 2023 snowfall 289cm reported on 25 days March 2023 snowfall 32cm reported on 6 days April 2023 snowfall 0cm |
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.