Niseko Now: Sunday 21st January 2024
- Jan 21, 2024
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 620cm
Posted on Sunday 21st January 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
We did have periods of sunshine yesterday, with just a dusting of snow since yesterday, really; but enough that I can just about justify 1cm in this report. (Hirafu seem to be reporting up to 10cm).
It is a pretty cold and calm early morning with a lot of cloud.
Forecasts are looking good for some consistent snowfall across the coming week, with the good stuff perhaps starting from later on in the day tomorrow.
Anyone else get to ride Annupuri Jumbo Number 4 yesterday? Good to see it open. :)
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6am: -7°, no new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: -14.9, SE2.3m/s. Mikaeri 764m: -11°, no new snow, snow depth 240cm. Annupuri 1100m: -9.2°, SSE5.1m/s. Village 1000m: -8.0°, ESE4.2m/s. Hanazono 1000m: -9.1°, S7.4m/s. Hanazono 3 : -7.3°, WNW0.3m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: ESE3m/s. Kamui Cape ENE11m/s, 1031hPa, wave 0.8m.
A low-pressure system is approaching and the sea and mountains are calm at the moment, however the wind speed at Cape Kamui is rapidly increasing. The wind from the east is expect to strengthen and the weather deteriorate. The snow is still good though. More than 1,000 people climbed the peak yesterday and no accidents were reported. On the other hand, the number of accidents on the slopes is increasing, which is worrying ski patrol. Niseko rules are about riding safely out of bounds, but there is also inbounds rules that should be followed. Accidents can be reduced if everyone is careful. There is no safety in the mountains. Peak gates are expected to be open. Better have a beacon. You can go without one but please get one for next time. If you have one, you can save your friends buried in the snow. Do not duck the ropes. If one person does it others will follow in their tracks and an accident will eventually occur. Be careful of sudden weather changes. have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Sunday 21st January 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: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 310cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 130cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- All lifts operating apart from Ace Number 1 pair, King Number 1 pair and King Number 2 quad
- 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: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 240cm (-10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 180cm (-1cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- All lifts operating
- 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: 200cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 180cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- All lifts operating
- 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: 215cm (-4cm since yesterday)
- Base: 155cm (-4cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- All lifts operating apart from Country Road
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
- All lifts operating
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Sunday 21st January 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 620cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 53 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 253cm reported on 18 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.