Niseko Now: Thursday 1st February 2024
- Feb 1, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Dec 8, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 14cm
Snowfall at base this season 679cm
Posted on Thursday 1st February 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
We start February with noticeably colder conditions and a nice layer of fresh snow, hurray! I have measured 11cm and it is coming down nicely now, but that means that visibility is limited at base. I'm looking forward to being able to report further snow tomorrow.
It looks like the top lifts are going to be challenged by wind on the mountain this morning - they are not opening at normal time. Annupuri gondola on hold, too.
And now for something completely different.
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A look back at the season so far: until end of January 2024
I know it’s a cliché but, seriously… it’s February, already?! Time flies when you’re having fun, etc.
As always, the numbers I am introducing in this report are all the snowfall measurements I have observed near the base of Hirafu. The numbers within my reports are all comparable (year-on-year) because they have come from the same spot every day over the last 12 seasons.
This is how much snowfall I have measured during the month of January over the years.
January 2024: 298cm
January 2023: 332cm
January 2022: 325cm
January 2021: 387cm
January 2020: 224cm
January 2019: 285cm
January 2018: 305cm
January 2017: 152cm
January 2016: 303cm
January 2015: 257cm
January 2014: 461cm
January 2013: 443cm
I was able to report snowfall reported on 24 days in January 2024 and on 59 days so far this season.
The big headline of the month was surely the whopping 62cm that I reported on 8th January. That is the most that I have ever measured in one report.
In the end, though, I measured less snowfall in January 2024 than I was able to in the previous three seasons, and it was also less than my average (314cm). Not by much, so nothing major.
And the first half of the month was clearly snowier than the second half of the month.
Still, in what is being described as a 暖冬 (warm winter) in Japan, I think we have done really well. I don’t know the details of other parts of Hokkaido, but I get the impression that up here we have had a much better time of it than many regions of Japan.
Some regions in western Japan have really been struggling and other normally very snowy regions in central Japan are experiencing much less snowfall than normal/average. (I wonder does the ‘normal/average’ comparison number get adjusted every year?)
Next up are the totals for the 2023-2024 winter season so far. The following is how much snowfall I have observed up until the end of January:
2023/2024 season up to end of January 2024: 665cm
2022/2023 season up to end of January 2023: 685cm
2021/2022 season up to end of January 2021: 717cm
2020/2021 season up to end of January 2020: 797cm
2019/2020 season up to end of January 2019: 516cm
2018/2019 season up to end of January 2018: 702cm
2017/2018 season up to end of January 2017: 899cm
2016/2017 season up to end of January 2016: 443cm
2015/2016 season up to end of January 2015: 608cm
2014/2015 season up to end of January 2014: 806cm
2013/2014 season up to end of January 2013: 859cm
2012/2013 season up to end of January 2012: 979cm
The average over the last 12 seasons has been 723cm.
Here is how much of the total snowfall for the whole season we have already had received by the end of January in previous seasons, which might give us an idea of what to normally expect for the rest of the season:
By the end of January 2023, as a % of the season total: about 68%
By the end of January 2022, as a % of the season total: about 63%
By the end of January 2021, as a % of the season total: about 66%
By the end of January 2020, as a % of the season total: about 71%
By the end of January 2019, as a % of the season total: about 74%
By the end of January 2018, as a % of the season total: about 71%
By the end of January 2017, as a % of the season total: about 65%
By the end of January 2016, as a % of the season total: about 61%
By the end of January 2015, as a % of the season total: about 70%
By the end of January 2014, as a % of the season total: about 74%
By the end of January 2013, as a % of the season total: about 66%
So, in recent years, by the end of January we have already received between two-thirds and three-quarters of the total snowfall for the season as a whole. (At base).
Let’s look forward to what we might expect in February. Here’s how much snowfall I have recorded during previous seasons in that month. (The numbers in brackets show the total observed snowfall in each season by the end of February.)
February 2023: 289cm (974cm)
February 2022: 337cm (1054cm)
February 2021: 325cm (1122cm)
February 2020: 143cm (659cm)
February 2019: 198cm (900cm)
February 2018: 299cm (1198cm)
February 2017: 160cm (603cm)
February 2016: 266cm (874cm)
February 2015: 196cm (1002cm)
February 2014: 178cm (1037cm)
February 2013: 316cm (1295cm)
Make of all this what you will!
Some thoughts at the end of January
It's peak season, and Niseko is busy and in full swing.
Niseko has also seemingly been getting attention in the Japanese national media. I often watch the evening news on TV in Japan. In the last few weeks, I have seen two national shows doing extended pieces about Niseko. I think I was even stopped in the street for an interview by one of them early in the New Year, but I politely refused. (I'm really shy).
Both mentioned that visitors to Niseko ski areas are now '90% foreign' (said in a factual way, not a derogatory way) and that for many Japanese visitors, it now almost feels like going abroad in terms of people, environment (buildings and signs) and prices (very high).
Both amusingly mentioned some place offering curry rice costing 2,400 yen, which is indeed double or more than what is expected in Japan. (It was fairly oishii, apparently). Both also mentioned super posh expensive accommodation costing (cue Dr Evil voice) 500 MILLION DOLLARS, but even so, it was full/sold out.
I don't know if these numbers are correct, but apparently, there were 550 'accommodations' (definition unclear) in 2019, and there are 840 now.
One tended to concentrate on the fun things, like how everyone seemed to be having fun, the super snow that got everyone wanting to be here in the first place, and an 'international atmosphere'. Also, it was a good chance for some young Japanese people to get a well-paid (more than in central Tokyo) part-time job and practice English at the same time, etc. It really liked the Food Trucks Village 'Eat the Street in Niseko' kitchen cars area that they have going until 24th February.
Side note: I think there should be a kitchen car specialising in toast. That would almost certainly be the most popular one.
The other one took a bit of a darker tone and introduced the phrase 'Niseko bubble', referencing the Japanese bubble economy in the 1980s. Clearly, that particular bubble didn't go too well in the early 90s – spoiler: it burst – and it wasn't clear if they were just being dramatic about fast economic growth or suggesting that it might not last.
They got a few Japanese skiers who hadn't been to Niseko for 30 years to come and experience it again. They were pretty shocked at the changes (as you would be after 30 years) and lamented about feeling out of place and that everything was unrealistically expensive. It then quickly went to a bunch of foreign skiers, opining that Niseko is not expensive.
The point being made (I think) was that Niseko is pricing out many Japanese skiers, and that feels really strange. I have mentioned before in these reports that I have some Japanese friends who have decided to ski in other places this year due to Niseko's expenses, so that is definitely a thing.
I doubt the people making all the money care about that kind of thing, though.
I can't see any end to any 'bubble'. Covid was definitely an obstacle for a few years, but it is now seemingly all but forgotten. Things have bounced back quickly, bigger and louder, and I can't see anything other than that trend continuing for now.
And like I said before, if the prices charged here now put you off, pretty much everywhere else is cheaper (and, in many cases, way cheaper). You might even get to meet some Japanese people, too!
I'm just kidding.
(There are a few Japanese people here).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base at 6am: -7C, 10cm snowfall. Moiwa 800m: -17.6C NW8.6m/s, 20m/s at 5am. Annupuri 1100m: -15.4C, WNW7.6m/s, 20m/s at 6am. Village 1000m: -14.3C, WNW 6m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -14.2C, WNW3.3m/s. Hanazono#3: -12.5C, NNW4.5m/s. Coastal data: Benkei cape NW18m/s, Kamui cape W16m/s, 1013hPa, 2.5m waves.
The wintery distribution has brought snow at the foot of the mountains. Strong cold air inflow and westerly snowstorm on the slopes over 700m elevation. Cornices and snowdrifts have developed on the slopes over the 800m elevation due to the strong north westerly wind overnight. Waves in the sea are getting higher. From the observation at 5am, weather data, and patrols’ and groomer operators’ reports, the avalanche risks at the cornice slopes at the Annupuri Osawa, Kozan no Sawa side walls, and Nishi-one(west ridge) at 1000m elevation, and Mikaeri bowl will increase. Most of the peak gates will be closed. Please listen to the patrol's instructions. Do not duck ropes to enter the strictly off-limits area such as Haru-no-taki. Dangerous. Over 1000 people have hiked up the peak yesterday but no accident has been reported. We are grateful for your cooperation to ride cautiously. Today is different from yesterday. As the snowstorm intensifies the avalanche risk increases as the snowdrifts will easily break. Also be cautious if you go to the mountains around the Niseko resorts. Snow is good in the tree runs. Beware of crashing into trees. You cannot beat trees. Have you switched your beacon on? Beware of frostbites. Have a good day.
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Individual ski area information for Thursday 1st February 2024
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 310cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 120cm (+10cm since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts apart from King Number 1 pair and King Number 2 quad (normal operations)
- 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: 15cm
- Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 250cm (+15cm since yesterday)
- Base: 195cm (+17cm since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
- 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: 210cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 180cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
- 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: 246cm (+6cm since yesterday)
- Base: 163cm (+3cm since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts apart from Country Road
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
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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.
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Thursday 1st February 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 679cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 60 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 298cm reported on 24 days February 2024 snowfall 14cm reported on 1 day |
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.