Niseko Now: Sunday 22nd December 2024
- Dec 22, 2024
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 4cm
Snowfall at base this season 254cm
Posted on Sunday 22nd December 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just about 4cm of snowfall to report to you this morning with most of that coming overnight.
After some fine weather yesterday, this morning is more overcast again. It feels quite bright in places and like we might even get to see some sun.
But it looks like we can expect more fresh snow over the next 48 hours. (It is indeed trying to snow lightly in places, even now).
Right now, Christmas morning is going to be sunny, per forecasts.
Santa will be happy, especially with fresh snow in the run up!
I'm going to treat myself to some toast and homemade jam now. Have a fine Sunday.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -6℃, light winds, 10cm new since dawn. Moiwa 800m: -8.1℃, SSW0.8m/s. Mikaeri 750m: E0.9m/s, heavy snowfall. Hanazono 1000m: -9.5℃, SW2.8m/s, 10cm new snowfall. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: WNW9m/s, Kamui Cape: E7m/sm/s, 1003hPa, 0.7m waves.
From 4am low pressure snowfall from a cold air mass to the west of the Shakotan Peninsula. Above 800m 15cm of snow deposited on the 12/21 layer, light due to the low pressure and low temperature. Observations suggest that shallow sloughs will occur on open 30 degree slopes around 1000m. There is no great danger, but avoid simultaneous skiing and do not wait in the bottom of the valley. It is better to turn on your beacon before you ride. If the wind and snowfall increases, the risk of surface avalanches due to slabs collapsing will increase on steep slopes and valley sidewalls. Pay attention to the snowfall and the way it is falling. The slopes are wonderful this morning with fresh snow. There is still only a little snow on the mountains and there are many holes in the creeks. Be careful of colliding with standing trees and falling. You can never win against a tree. Have a good Sunday.
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Individual ski area information for Sunday 22nd December 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.
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: 165cm (-10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 130cm (-11cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All four lifts scheduled to be operating
Courses:
All courses scheduled to be open
Gondola open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 5cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 210cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 105cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
Ace Family quad (open until 7:00pm)
Ace Gondola (open until 7:00pm)
Ace Number 3 pair
King Gondola (open until 7:00pm)
King Holiday pair (open until 7:00pm)
King Number 3 quad
Swinging Monkey
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 160cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 120cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
Niseko Gondola
Upper Village Gondola (open until 7:00pm)
Village Express (open until 7:30pm)
Community Chair
Banzai Chair (open for night skiing until 7:30pm)
Morino Chair
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 150cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 115cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
Annupuri Gondola
Dream Number 1 quad
Jumbo Number 1 quad (open until 7:30pm)
Jumbo Number 2 pair
Jumbo Number 3 pair
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
Number 1 pair lift
Number 2 pair lift
Quad lift
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Night skiing
Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Wednesday 23rd March 2025.
Niseko Now 2024-2025 season |
Data as of Sunday 22nd December 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 254cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 27 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 23cm (16th December) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 216cm reported on 19 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.