Niseko Now: Thursday 20th December 2018
- Dec 20, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 4, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 8cm
Snowfall at base this season 284cm
Posted on Thursday 20th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning everyone from secret base here by Hirafu.
It was rather windy yesterday - when I last checked the Annupuri Gondola was on hold as well as their top lift with the Niseko Gondola and top Hanazono lifts also running at reduced speed.
And it looks like the Annupuri Gondola is on hold again at the start of the day today
There's 8cm of fresh snowfall on the ground this morning and it looks nicer quality than what I reported yesterday. Just a quick word on that --- when I give an opinion about 'snow quality', I'm thinking purely of the Niseko scale. By that, I mean that I am not comparing the snow to the quality of snow you might expect in Australia or Canada or Austria or indeed anywhere else. I'm comparing it to what I have come to expect and experience here in Niseko. Often times I hear people say things along the lines of 'even relatively poor snow quality in Niseko is better than the best snow in *Insert other resort/country here*'. Which may well be true, BUT that's not my comparison. Hope that makes sense.
It is colder this morning too and feels it.
Fairly calm conditions are expected now through the weekend so we probably can't expect much in terms of fresh snowfall over the next few reports.
It does seem that Japan is going to generally see some milder conditions, hopefully before taking a drop back down again early week.
Busy becomes busier every day now it seems. Lots of people coming here for their Christmas holidays. And I hope that you all have a very jolly good one.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6.00am: -5°, 15cm new snowfall in the last 12 hrs. Moiwa 800m: 5am -6°, NW10m/s, cornice and snowdrift development, 15cm new snowfall in the last 12 hrs. Mikaeri Ridge N10m/s, snow depth 120cm. Annupuri 1000m 2pm yesterday: -7°, S23m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NNW15m/s. Kamui Cape: W10m/s, 1012hPa, wave 3.5m.
The atmospheric pressure gradient is starting to flatten and the blizzard is calming. Snow wind over the last 24hrs has caused snowdrift and cornice development. From 5am observation Moiwa peak, 800m, snowdrifts are fracturing on a definite layer and cornices are breaking easily. Kozan no sawa south face 1000m and Osawa 1000m, avalanche risk is high this morning. Although only a small amount of snow has fallen, cornices are breaking easily which could trigger an avalanche on steeper slopes below. Take care.
The snow in the trees is good but still shallow. Be careful falling into creeks, the water is cold. Out of bounds area are still not ready for riding. Don't over estimate your skills, knowledge or equipment. This can cause accidents. Please respect Niseko Rules.
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Ski resort operation information: Thursday 20th December 2018
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 200cm
- Base: 90cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Ace Family quad (until 8:30pm)
- Ace Number 2 Center Four (until 8:20pm)
- Ace Number 3 pair (until 3:30pm)
- Hirafu Gondola (until 8:10pm)
- Holiday Number 1 Pair (until 8:30pm)
- King Number 3 quad (until 3:30pm)
- Swinging Monkey (until 3:00pm)
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 140cm
- Base: 97cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad (until 3:30pm)
- Hanazono Number 2 quad (until 3:30pm)
- Hanazono Number 3 quad (until 3:00pm)
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono Courses:
- All courses apart from the below courses are now open
- Large
- Dynamic
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 170cm
- Base: 90cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola (until 3:15pm) ** ON HOLD AT START OF DAY **
- Dream Number 1 quad (until 5:30pm)
- Jumbo Number 1 quad (until 8:30pm)
- Jumbo Number 2 pair (until 3:15pm)
- Jumbo Number 3 pair (until 3:15pm)
Courses:
- Utopia
- Silver
- Shirakaba
- Paradise
- Family
- Junior
- Dynamic
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 170cm
- Base: 95cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola (until 3:00pm)
- Upper Village Gondola (until 8:00pm)
- Village Express (until 8:00pm)
- Community Chair (until 4:30pm)
- Banzai Chair (until 8:00pm)
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Thursday 20th December 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 284cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 25 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 25cm (23rd November and 14th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 200cm reported on 17 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.