Niseko Now: Wednesday 20th December 2023
- Dec 20, 2023
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 26cm
Snowfall at base this season 242cm
Posted on Wednesday 20th December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
Following on from the good news yesterday, I have more to report this morning. In terms of cm of fresh snowfall, another 26cm.
Excellent.
Gradually more of the mountain opens with a few runs added to what is available at Hirafu and now all but Legend of Shinya open at Hanazono. Yey!
Oh yes, the weather. As I put the report together it is snowing in a kind of light to moderate manner. Come on now, keep on coming! (Forecasts suggest it will).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base 7am: -8C, 30cm snowfall in 12h, calm morning. No data from Moiwa, Annupuri and Village. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -12.4C, ESE1.9m/s. Hanazono#3: -10.5C, WSW3.5m/s, 20cm snowfall. Mikaeri 764m: -10C, WSW5m/s, 40cm snowfall, moderate visibility. Coastal data: Benkei cape WNW9m/s, Kamui cape WNW10m/s, 1015hPa, 1.5m waves.
The isobars are spread out and the weather is calm on the sea and the mountains. No notable snowdrift development is present and the general avalanche risk is low. However, caution is required on slopes with visible wind-ripples, as the recent snowfall layer may not be fully bonded and could let go. Surface slabs could also form in south-facing slopes as the sun comes out. The snow is excellent on and off piste. “Japow” condition, as named by Colin.
Out of bounds area is still closed, but please enjoy your day.
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Individual ski area information for Wednesday 20th December 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 at the time of writing and subject to change.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 40cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 175cm (+25cm since yesterday)
- Base: 65cm (+10cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Ace Family quad *
- Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four)
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Hirafu Gondola
- King Number 3 quad
Courses:
- Center
- Family
- Sennoki
- Alpen
- Beginners
- Kokutai
- Holiday
- Green
- Jumbo
- Shirakaba
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 20cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 120cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 85cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola *
Courses:
- All open apart from Legend of Shinya
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 30cm
- Base: 30cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 100cm (+20cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo quad *
Courses:
- Utopia
- Shirakaba
- Paradise
- Junior
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 110cm
- Base: 75cm
Lifts:
- Niseko Gondola
- Upper Village Gondola *
- Village Express *
- Community Chair
- Banzai Chair *
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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.
Lifts marked with an asterix (*) are normally scheduled to operate for night skiing.
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Wednesday 20th December 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 242cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 24 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 31cm (18th December) November 2023 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 days December 2023 snowfall 122cm reported on 13 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.