Niseko Now: Sunday 22nd January 2023
- Jan 22, 2023
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 561cm
Posted on Sunday 22nd January 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Well, it doesn't feel too windy right now, but we have had some windy conditions since I last spoke with you. The wind perhaps explains why the snowfall numbers reported this morning are quite varied. Hirafu are reporting 25cm, Hanazono are reporting 18-37cm and Annupuri are going with their fave 10cm. (Village, of course, are still holding out on 0cm - I think we can just ignore that). The Avalanche Report is being a bit shy with numbers. And 8cm of snow has been recorded at the Kutchan town JMA station since my report yesterday. At my primary measuring point that I use, I have 12cm to report to you.
It is cold this morning and currently -9C outside my place. -18C up at Village?!
It is going to be a very cold week, particularly around Tuesday and Wednesday. There is also probably going to be a steady ongoing delivery of fresh snow.
I advise being ready with extra layers and appropriate goggles.
Possible snorkels too.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -10C, light winds, heavy snowfall at dawn. Moiwa 800m: -12.7C, W9.5m/s, minor snowdrift development from W wind. Annupuri 1100m: -15.7C, WNW9.4m/s, moderate winds, cornice and snowdrift development. Mizuno no Sawa: -14.9C, NNW9.5m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -15.5C, N7.2m/s. Hanzono#3: -12.7C, N5.3m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NNW13m/s, Kamui Cape NW10m/s, 1024hPa, 2.1m wave.
The winter pressure pattern to the west is weakening, however cornice and snowdrift development is steadily continuing with moderate winds on the mountain. While snowdrift depth is increasing they are remaining stable. The general avalanche risk is low except on Kozan no Sawa sidewall, Osawa cornice slope and HigashiOne cornice face and other open steep slopes around 1000m. If an avalanche occurs at 1100m it will run long and fast and you won't have a chance to get out of the way. Do not hang around in gullies or in the valley bottoms. The snow is reset again. If snow and wind>15m/s continue, leeward snowdrift accumulations will become unstable and fracture easily. Even within the same storm, the avalanche risk will vary depending on the strength of the wind. Pay attention to wind strength and any change in snowfall. There is no safe place in the cold mountains. Please listen to patrols instructions. Have a good day.
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Ski area information for Sunday 22nd January 2023
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day, weather permitting.
Official snow depth numbers in brackets show the change since previous report.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 25cm
- Base: 25cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 295cm (+15cm since yesterday)
- Base: 110cm (+15cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Ace Family quad [* open until for 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four) [* open until for 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- King Number 3 quad
- King Number 4
- Swinging Monkey
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 37cm
- Base: 18cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 239cm (+14cm since yesterday)
- Base: 189cm (+8cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 170cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 150cm (+10cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad [* open until 7:30pm for night skiing]
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair [* normally open on weekends and holidays]
- Jumbo Number 4 pair
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 155cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 140cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Niseko Gondola
- Upper Village Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Banzai Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Wonderland Chair
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
- Number 1 pair lift
- Number 2 pair lift
- Quad lift
Niseko Now 2022-2023 season |
Data as of Sunday 22nd January 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 561cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 50 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 22cm (2nd and 16th January) November 2022 snowfall 17cm reported on 5 days December 2022 snowfall 336cm reported on 27 days January 2023 snowfall 208cm 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.