Niseko Now: Friday 1st March 2019
- Mar 1, 2019
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 5, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 900cm
Posted on Friday 1st March 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko and welcome to March.
After another day of fine weather yesterday, this morning there is quite a lot of cloud around and some blue sky and sunshine too. (Having said that, Niseko Village appear to be have been reporting fog on the upper areas earlier.) But we can probably expect a mix of cloud and clear sky for the day.
There is no fresh snowfall to report this morning and it might be a bit windy on the mountain but all the resorts are apparently opening as planned.
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A look back at the season so far: February 2019
As is tradition, here I look back over February and the season so far. You can follow my reports and snowfall numbers at any time towards the bottom of this page and on the Snowfall Analysis page (link at the top of this report).
February started off really well. I was able to record fresh cm of snowfall on each of the first 16 days in February. There were no massive snowfall numbers – the most in one day was 21cm on 1st February – but we enjoyed a respectable 15-20cm or so on quite a few of the days in that first half of the month. Nice.
The second half of the month was a different story. It was as if the tap had been turned off on 17th February. I added a total of just 9cm over last 12 days of the month. Check out the Snowfall Analysis page to see how much snow we usually get in the second half of February... it’s quite the contrast.
Here is the amount of snowfall that I have measured close to my Hirafu base during the month of February in each of the last seven seasons:
February 2019: 198cm
February 2018: 299cm
February 2017: 160cm
February 2016: 266cm
February 2015: 196cm
February 2014: 178cm
February 2013: 316cm
So, 1m less than what I measured last season but actually fairly comparable amounts to three other seasons. In this current season, of course, the snowfall has been more noticeably weighted in that first half of the season.
Here’s the 'season up to the end of February' totals over the last seven seasons:
2018/2019 season up to end of February 2019: 900cm
2017/2018 season up to end of February 2018: 1198cm
2016/2017 season up to end of February 2017: 605cm
2015/2016 season up to end of February 2016: 877cm
2014/2015 season up to end of February 2015: 1002cm
2013/2014 season up to end of February 2014: 1037cm
2012/2013 season up to end of February 2013: 1295cm
Those raw total numbers (and remember, that’s what they are – they don't tell the full story) are considerably better than the 16/17 season and comparable to 15/16. A fair bit under the other seasons though.
And now here we are in March. In the most recent seasons this is how much snowfall I have observed at base in March:
March 2018: 49cm
March 2017: 83cm
March 2016: 109cm
March 2015: 139cm
March 2014: 113cm
March 2013: 164cm
...and how much snowfall we have received from the beginning of March to the end of the season...
Amount of snow falling between 1st March 2019 & end of season: ???
Amount of snow falling between 1st March 2018 & end of season: 62cm
Amount of snow falling between 1st March 2017 & end of season: 83cm
Amount of snow falling between 1st March 2016 & end of season: 115cm
Amount of snow falling between 1st March 2015 & end of season: 142cm
Amount of snow falling between 1st March 2014 & end of season: 126cm
Amount of snow falling between 1st March 2013 & end of season: 196cm
There's a curious pattern going on there. And it's not one that I am keen to see. 2015 aside, the amount of observed snowfall at base from March onwards has been decreasing - an impressive 2m or so in 2013; down to less than 1m in the last two seasons.
That’s definitely something to ponder. Let's pondering.
The last piece of data is, as always, the snowfall numbers that the Japan Meteorological Agency report from their observation station in Kutchan town. Here is what they have reported for the month of February in recent years:
February 2019: 141cm
February 2018: 202cm
February 2017: 173cm
February 2016: 210cm
February 2015: 167cm
February 2014: 130cm
February 2013: 228cm
And the JMA numbers for the ‘season so far’:
2017/2018 season up to end of February 2019: 954cm
2016/2017 season up to end of February 2018: 741cm
2015/2016 season up to end of February 2017: 698cm
2014/2015 season up to end of February 2016: 825cm
2013/2014 season up to end of February 2015: 804cm
2012/2013 season up to end of February 2014: 900cm
All being well, there is still over two full months left of the 2018-2019 season with the last lifts planning to stop at the end of the day on Monday 6th May.
That is a very long spring season, if we are indeed properly into spring. As you can see above (and in the archives) though, in previous seasons March has delivered some decent snowfall. So, I choose to remain hopeful that we will get some more snow and a few nice surprises. Just how much though... well, I’ll be here to take you through the rest of the season every day until the end.
Even if you have been and gone already this season, please do remember your duty to continue reading my reports through until the end - I want to share with you the story of the whole season. And of course, you can also enjoy watching me start to struggle for things to write on some days as the last part of the season approaches. ;)
Gambarimasu!
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Mountain base 6am: 0℃, no snowfall. Moiwa800m: -2.7℃, W2.99m/s. Annupuri 1120m: snow depth 250cm, 1100m: -5.2℃, WSW6.7m/s. Hirafu peak: strong winds, -5℃, 1000m: -5.2℃, ESE2.7m/s. Niseko Village Mizuno no Sawa: no snowfall, snow depth 146cm at base. Kutchan weather station: -2.5℃, ENE0.9m/s, 147cm snow depth. Benkei cape: W2m/s, Kamui cape: SW9m/s, 1013hPa, 1.1m waves.
Calm morning without snowfall, however the wind remains strong in higher elevation. The snowpack is stable. No notable weak layer has been observed and the avalanche risk is low. All gates are scheduled to open from the morning. Ask the ski patrol’s advice before stepping out of gates and be well prepared for backcountry travels. Thaw will pick up as the temperature rises. Beware of collapsing snow-bridges and cornices. Stay out of valley bottoms to prevent accidents. Avalanche risk will rise as the next storm passes and snowdrifts develop. Always be conscious of the weather transition. It is recommended to carry a rope (no need to be a thick one) in case of falling in cracks. There are many hazards lurking in the mountains. Be prudent.
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Ski resort operation information: Friday 1st March 2019
Subject to change due to weather conditions
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Plans to be open until Monday 6th May 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 335cm
- Base: 140cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts opening as normal at the start of the day (Ace Number 1 pair and King Number 2 quad rested)
- The Ace Family quad (until 8:30pm), Ace Center 4 quad (8:20pm), Hirafu Gondola (until 8:10pm) and Holiday Number 1 pair (until 8:30pm) lifts are normally open during the evening
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Plans to be open until Sunday 7th April 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 248cm
- Base: 195cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts opening as normal at the start of the day
- The Hanazono lifts are normally open until 3:50pm (Number 3 until 3:30pm)
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Niseko Annupuri
Plans to be open until Monday 6th May 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 310cm
- Base: 130cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts opening as normal at the start of the day
- The Jumbo 1 lift is normally open until 8:30pm during the evening
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Niseko Village
Plans to be open until Sunday 7th April 2019
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 310cm
- Base: 130cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts opening as normal at the start of the day (Country Road lift rested)
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are normally open until 8:00pm during the evening
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Friday 1st March 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 900cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 79 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (29th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 333cm reported on 26 days January 2019 snowfall 285cm reported on 25 days February 2019 snowfall 198cm reported on 20 days March 2019 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.