Niseko Now: Friday 1st March 2024
- Mar 1, 2024
- 9 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 809cm
Posted on Friday 1st March 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
It is a cloudy morning but snow is still forecast... it just hasn't started yet.
Doh!
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A look back at the season so far: until end of February 2024
It is a tradition that I say a few things up front in this monthly recap, so let's get them out of the way. The numbers I am introducing in this report are all the snowfall measurements I have observed near the base of Hirafu. Those numbers are all comparable (year-on-year) because they have come from the same spot every day over the last 12 seasons. And there is usually more snow at higher elevations than are base, etc. More on the About page on the top tab of this report.
Full statistics and other interesting stuff can be found on the Snowfall analysis and Season archives pages of this report, with more background into the Now reports on SnowJapan on the About page. (All available on the top blue tab thingy).
This is how much snowfall I have measured during the month of February over the most recent 12 seasons.
February 2024: 144cm
February 2023: 289cm
February 2022: 337cm
February 2021: 325cm
February 2020: 143cm
February 2019: 198cm
February 2018: 299cm
February 2017: 160cm
February 2016: 266cm
February 2015: 196cm
February 2014: 178cm
February 2013: 316cm
I was able to report snow on 20 days in February 2024. The most reported in one day was 19cm on 5th February. Otherwise, when we did get snow, it generally came in rather modest numbers. The least snowy period was across the middle week of the month; a period that brought us some unseasonably warm conditions and unwelcome rain.
The 144cm total for February 2024 is almost exactly 50% of what I observed last season and less than half of the two seasons before that. In fact, along with February 2020 (143cm), the least I have observed in February. (Curiously, the February in both those years had 29 days).
Next 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 February.
2023/2024 season up to end of February 2024: 809cm
2022/2023 season up to end of February 2023: 974cm
2021/2022 season up to end of February 2021: 1054cm
2020/2021 season up to end of February 2020: 1122cm
2019/2020 season up to end of February 2019: 659cm
2018/2019 season up to end of February 2018: 900cm
2017/2018 season up to end of February 2017: 1198cm
2016/2017 season up to end of February 2016: 603cm
2015/2016 season up to end of February 2015: 874cm
2014/2015 season up to end of February 2014: 1002cm
2013/2014 season up to end of February 2013: 1037cm
2012/2013 season up to end of February 2012: 1295cm
Better than 2019/2020 and 2016/2017, but on the lower side as a total so far compared with many previous seasons. (The average of the above numbers is 960cm).
Here is how much of the total snowfall for the whole season we have already had received by the end of February in previous seasons, giving us an idea of what we might normally expect for the rest of the season:
By the end of February 2023, as a % of the season total: about 97%
By the end of February 2022, as a % of the season total: about 93%
By the end of February 2021, as a % of the season total: about 93%
By the end of February 2020, as a % of the season total: about 92%
By the end of February 2019, as a % of the season total: about 95%
By the end of February 2018, as a % of the season total: about 96%
By the end of February 2017, as a % of the season total: about 88%
By the end of February 2016, as a % of the season total: about 89%
By the end of February 2015, as a % of the season total: about 88%
By the end of February 2014, as a % of the season total: about 90%
By the end of February 2013, as a % of the season total: about 89%
One thing that stands out to me is how the last six seasons that percentage has been between 92% and 97%, but it was below 90% in earlier years. And indeed, looking at the numbers themselves, it does look like we used to get more snow in March than we have done recently.
March 2023: 32cm (1006cm)
March 2022: 81cm (1135cm)
March 2021: 79cm (1201cm)
March 2020: 59cm (718cm)
March 2019: 45cm (945cm)
March 2018: 49cm (1247cm)
March 2017: 83cm (686cm)
March 2016: 109cm (983cm)
March 2015: 139cm (1141cm)
March 2014: 113cm (1150cm)
March 2013: 164cm (1459cm)
(* The numbers in brackets are the total snowfall of the season up to the end of March).
The numbers themselves have never been huge, but it's still not the most pleasing of trends.
Lastly, snowfall in April in previous seasons:
April 2023: 0cm
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
OK so let’s see what March delivers. It has been known to serve up some surprises...
Some thoughts at the end of February
Snow:
The Niseko snowfall numbers this season might not be amazing or considered 'classic', but it is becoming clear that we have done very well compared with almost every other region of Japan. We've enjoyed some great snow and had enough of it throughout the season. For that, let us be thankful.
I spoke with SnowJapan Andrew the other day. The data is incomplete, but this winter, a not-inconsiderable number of ski areas in Japan could either not open (at all) or have struggled through the season, having to close intermittently due to a lack of snow. Some of those were in Hokkaido, too, which I wasn't previously aware of. The ‘low snowfall’ story has been Japan-wide and, in some cases, quite alarming.
I was thinking about that. It is hard to imagine all the wide-reaching implications when a ski area cannot open. For the ski area itself, of course, but also for nearby hotels, ski schools, rental, restaurants, (Winter Resort Pop-up Stores), and the like. Having your livelihood pulled out from under you and having no control over the situation must be heartbreaking. I really feel for those folks.
Obviously, that situation does not apply to Niseko. Always the unique case in recent times, and aside from the quality of the snow, Niseko-related stories are primarily ones of success, money and investment. But I don't think the wider picture should be ignored. I'm no scientist, but it does make me wonder where Japan (including Niseko) will be in terms of snowfall in another 5, 10, 15, or 20+ years.
Over at his SnowJapanHistory project, 273 old (and now closed) ski areas are introduced as of today. Still, Andrew says he has identified almost 400 to eventually get listed there. I feel that number will inevitably increase a fair bit in the coming years.
Bubbles:
After all the previous talk of ‘Niseko bubble’ reports on Japanese TV in previous weeks/months, the newer story to cover seems to focus on Hakuba and northern Nagano Prefecture and Niigata Prefecture (Madarao and Myoko). I have picked up on a few similar bits of coverage covering those popular regions.
Oh yes, and Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture, which seems very popular this year (or, at least, is gaining tons of attention from various TV crews). But that’s snow and traditional buildings, not skiing.
The TV channels definitely seem to copy each other, latching on to the same stories!
At the moment, it feels like you can hardly put on a Japanese TV news/discussion show without hearing about ‘inbound’ tourism in some shape or form. With the number of people coming here only going to increase, and not just in winter, there's definitely more of that to come!
Snow and bubbles.
It really feels like a lot is changing.
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One thing that isn't changing is my commitment to posting daily reports until the last day of the season. If the snow holds up that long, that means into early May. I sometimes struggle for things to say in the late spring season, but that's all part of the fun. The number of people checking the reports always starts to drop once we get into March, with many of you already been and gone. But that's naughty. Remember, daily visits were part of the terms and conditions you signed up for and paid for! So, stick around, hey?
You never know, I might drop some major toast tips.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6am: -5°, no new snow, hard. Moiwa 800m: -13.7°, SSE4.5m/s , no new snow. Mikaeri 764m: -7°, SW1.8m/s, moderate visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -8.6°, SSE3.8m/s. Village 1000: -7.8°, SSE6.1m/s. Hanazono 1000m: -8.3°, ENE13.4m/s, increasing winds from 6am. Hanazono 3 : -5.9°, SW7.7m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: WSW2m/s(13m/s@6am). Kamui Cape light winds, 1011hPa, wave 0.5m.
A low pressure system is approaching, wind and snow, at sea and on the mountains, will increase during the day. The mountain is frozen hard, beware going for a dangerous long slide on steep slopes. Gate openings yet to be decided. Please follow the patrols instructions. Moiwa Gate 10 cannot be opened at the moment. During the late 1990s when a series of accidents occurred, we had to fight for your freedom and rights to ride out of bounds. The resulting comprise reached was that some strictly off limits areas were established. At the moment some locals and more experienced guests are advocating circumventing the rules. This is not OK. The gate system is installed to allow out of bounds riding. Consider this is a ski area and there is a wide variety of riders here. Just because you can make it out alive, dosnt mean everyone can. If you want to use the lifts to ski out of bounds you must follow the rules. Avalanches are not the only danger in the mountains. Take care today.
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Individual ski area information for Friday 1st March 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: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 275cm (+5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 90cm (no change 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: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 235cm (-2cm since yesterday)
- Base: 150cm (-1cm 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: 220cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 140cm (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: 204cm (-4cm since yesterday)
- Base: 113cm (-2cm 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
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Friday 1st March 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 809cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 79 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 144cm reported on 20 days March 2024 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.