Niseko Now: Tuesday 22nd February 2022
- Feb 22, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 40cm
Snowfall at base this season 995cm
Posted on Tuesday 22nd February 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
There's tons of new snowfall on the ground (and everywhere else) this morning... the (joint) most reported in one day this season, I believe: I have just measured 40cm. Hirafu is this morning reporting 55cm of snowfall. :)
Yesterday, only the Ace Family quad at Hirafu, the Dream quad at Annupuri and the Community and Banzai lifts at Niseko Village got to open. I wonder if many people used them?! It was pretty wild. At least I think it was anyway - I spent the whole day warm and toasty and had a relaxing day. (But silly me, I went down the rabbit hole of reading the world news. Note to self - try not to do that again anytime soon).
Anyway, back to this morning. Everyone is dealing with all the snow early on. It's still snowing, visibility is limited and there is still a bit of wind but it is definitely not like yesterday. More lifts should be opening, but may be delayed and the top areas remain closed. The gondolas at Village and Annupuri are closed, but the Hirafu gondola and Hanazono gondola are going to be open.
A few things are absolutely sure. There's lots of fresh snow and the quality is excellent. But conditions are probably going to be challenging. Super care required.
OK so now I am going to go get to work with my shovel.
More snow incoming...
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -6℃, light winds, heavy snowfall of wind effected snow, 35cm in last 12hrs. Moiwa800m: -8.4℃, NNW11.9m/s, heavy snowfall, major snowdrift and cornice development. Annupuri1150m: -11.5℃, NNW7.8m/s, occasional extremely heavy wind and snow, major snowdrift development, difficult for grooming machines. Hirafu1000m: -11.4℃, NNW12.7m/s, heavy snowfall, poor visibility. Coastal data Benkei cape: NW19m/s, Kamui cape: N10m/s, 1007hPa, 2.3m waves.
The atmospheric pressure gradient has settled a little, however strong wind snow continues. There has been major snowdrift development and unstable cornice growth at all levels. Expect avalanches to easily occur from natural cornice collapses above 800m. At lower elevations also expect avalanches when cornices slopes and steep slopes like lift lines are carelessly stimulated. Suggested to stay off of areas like this today. Over 80cmof snow has fallen in the last 24hrs, with snowdrift development reaching 300cm in some locations. Around 1100m on 30deg slopes expect large surface slab avalanches with wide fractures, running at high speed, due to crushed crystal snow and wind. The avalanche risk on surrounding mountains is also very high. Peak gates will be closed, please respect the patrols decisions. When the wind calms down the snow will stabilise. The snow in the trees is deep and heavy, you will need skins or snowshoes to exit many areas. Is your beacon on? Special thanks to groomer operators for assisting in avalanche operations overnight.
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Planned ski area operations: Tuesday 22nd February 2022
The below snow depth and snowfall data is manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day (nature might intervene).
*** WEATHER AFFECTING SOME LIFTS THIS MORNING ***
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 420cm (+15cm)
- Base: 220cm (+5cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 55cm
- Base: 55cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Ace Family quad
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
- Hirafu Gondola
- King Number 3 quad
- King Number 4
- Swinging Monkey
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 350cm (+5cm)
- Base: 265cm (+15cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 25cm
- Base: 25cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 340cm (+20cm)
- Base: 230cm (+10cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 30cm
- Base: 30cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad [* open for night skiing until 7:30pm]
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 4 pair
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 290cm
- Base: 230cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Niseko Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
- Banzai Chair
- Wonderland Chair
Niseko Now 2021-2022 season |
Data as of Tuesday 22nd February 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 995cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 78 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (23rd December and 22nd February) November 2021 snowfall 85cm reported on 6 days December 2021 snowfall 307cm reported on 23 days January 2022 snowfall 325cm reported on 30 days February 2022 snowfall 278cm 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.