Niseko Now: Monday 20th January 2025
- Jan 20, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 486cm
Posted on Monday 20th January 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I'm a bit early today and we have some general limited visibility in places early on. That's what I am seeing outside and on webcams as I write this report, anyway, despite the 'good visibility' shown on the Avalanche Report. (We can both be correct, of course!)
Some forecasts predict some spells of sun during the day today.
As you can see below, both Hirafu and Hanazono ski areas are reporting up to 15cm of snow on upper areas (and 0-5cm at base). I have seen just under 2cm since the snow started up yesterday morning, I am being a little generous. Head up high for more fresh snow would seem to be the advice of the morning.
The Avalanche Report is also mentioning that 'wet' word, and and we did indeed get some of the never welcome (December through spring) wet stuff overnight and it is a mild morning.
I just thought I would mention a few upcoming interesting dates that are sort of relevant to Niseko and people visiting:
Chinese New Year
Wednesday 29th January 2025
Public holidays: Tuesday 28th January (Spring Festival Eve) through Tuesday 4th February 2025
Many people visit during these holidays and it is usually a very busy period
Sapporo Snow Festival
Tuesday 4th February to Tuesday 11th February 2025
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -0℃, 5cm wet snow, light winds, good visibility. Moiwa 800m: -2.0℃, NW3.7m/s, 10cm wet snow, from tests fracturing at 50cm. Mikaeri 750m: -4.0℃,NW1.0m/s, 10cm wet snow. Annupuri 1100m: -3.5℃, WSW1.7m/s. Hirafu Hanazono: -3.3℃, NNE1.3m/s, 15cm wet snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NW7m/s, Kamui Cape NW5m/s(15m/s@10pm), 1012hPa, wave 0.8m.
Avalanches are predicted to fracture on Jan 18th layer at 50cm. Natural fracture unlikely, only rider induced.
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Individual ski area information for Monday 20th January 2025
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.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 15cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 237cm (-3cm change since yesterday)
Base: 180cm (-10cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are scheduled to be operating
The gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 15cm
Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 285cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 135cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
The Ace Gondola, Ace Family quad, King Gondola and King Holiday pair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 175cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are operating
The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 190cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
Niseko Now 2024-2025 season |
Data as of Monday 20th January 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 486cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 51 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 23cm (16th December) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 311cm reported on 28 days January 2025 snowfall 137cm reported on 15 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.