Niseko Now: Wednesday 22nd December 2021
- Dec 22, 2021
- 5 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 16cm
Snowfall at base this season 238cm
Posted on Wednesday 22nd December 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
There's more snowfall to report again this morning. With some strong wind it is one of those days when the amount of snow to be seen in different places will vary, but I have measured 16cm as of 8am since my report yesterday. It looks like wind might be affecting some lifts at the start of the day as well, but hopefully that won't last long and they will be able to get going.
Consistent snow on the forecasts along with some nice cold conditions. It's looking good for the last week of the year for snow, and Santa will certainly be pleased.
As of 8:30am the Annupuri Gondola and Number 1 lift at Hanazono are on hold with a few more lifts moving a bit slower than usual.
-----
Someone shouted at me because the numbers in my list below apparently 'don't add up'. I have mentioned this a few times before, but the numbers may well sometimes seem a bit odd. 20cm of fresh snowfall reported by a ski area does not automatically mean that the official snow depth will rise by 20cm. It doesn't work like that. There may be fresh snow overnight but the snow depth number might actually decrease.
I spend my time each day carefully trying to bring the best information that I can. All of the numbers apart from my observed snowfall number are numbers that ski areas put out there themselves. I check this information manually and I relay it to you in this report. I try not to make any mistakes, but I'll admit to any if I do. If you choose to not believe my reports, well, there's really nothing I can do about that. (And I suggest you just don't read them).
Someone also shouted at me for 'not mentioning covid'. I'm not sure what you want me to say. It sucks, right? And if you read all of my reports you will know that I will mentioned it from time to time when it seems appropriate, but I do not want to dwell on it. For obvious reasons. This is a snow report, not a covid/health report. Not mentioning it all the time does not mean that I totally do not feel for everyone who is affected directly or indirectly; both potential visitors and businesses. Of course I do.
Regardless of these complaints about my daily efforts, I will continue regardless.
-----
Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -7°C, 20cm snow in 12h, blizzard. Moiwa700m: -9°C, blizzard, 25cm new snow. Annupuri 1000m: -11°C, blizzard, poor visibility, snow drifts are developing, 30cm new snow. Coastal data Benkei cape: NW 16m/s, Kamui cape: WNW 13m/s, 1008 hPa, 2.6m waves.
High waves in the Japan sea under the wintery pressure distribution. 20m/s snow storm is blowing above 1200m elevation Niseko mountain range, and snowdrifts are rapidly developing on the leeward side of the ridge and the avalanche risk is high. Snowdrifts are heavily accumulating also in the treeruns under 1000m elevation. Be careful even if there are trees. Snow quickly piled up under strong wind turns into very unstable slabs, can collapse instantly and easily trigger surface slab avalanches.
Better be very cautious today. Snow will stabilize once the snowstorm calms down. Most of the accidents occur in a snowstorm. Be careful of frostbites. Have a good day.
-----
Planned ski area operations: Wednesday 22nd December 2021
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 the ski area):
- Peak: 215cm (-5cm)
- Base: 110cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 20cm
- Base: 20cm
Planned lift operations:
- Ace Family quad
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
- Hirafu Gondola
- King Number 3 quad
- Swinging Monkey
All courses open apart from the following:
- Onsenzawa
- Large
- Miharashi
- Dynamic
-----
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 170cm (+5cm)
- Base: 115cm (+10cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 15cm
- Base: 20cm
Planned lift operations:
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
-----
Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 140cm (+10cm)
- Base: 90cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 15cm
- Base: 15cm
Planned lift operations:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad [* open for night skiing until 7:30pm]
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
Planned open courses:
- Utopia
- Silver
- Shirakaba
- Junior
- Paradise
- Family
- Dynamic
-----
Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 100cm (no change)
- Base: 55cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Planned lift operations:
- Niseko Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
- Banzai Chair
Niseko Now 2021-2022 season |
Data as of Wednesday 22nd December 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 238cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 20 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (18th December) November 2021 snowfall 85cm reported on 6 days December 2021 snowfall 153cm reported on 14 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.