Niseko Now: Monday 22nd January 2024
- Jan 22, 2024
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 9cm
Snowfall at base this season 629cm
Posted on Monday 22nd January 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
Around 10cm of new snow to report since yesterday.
As I write this there is some very (very) (very) light snow falling. It's almost nothing, but it might turn into something during the day. It doesn't feel that cold this morning.
Wind is an issue this morning and at the start of the day top lifts at Hirafu, Village and Annupuri are on hold.
Anyway, we are still expecting consistent snowfall during this week so let's see what happens.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base 6am: -5C, light breeze, 10cm snowfall. Moiwa 800m: -14.7C, SE4.6m/s, snowdrift development overnight. Mikaeri 764m: -7C, easterly wind and snow, poor visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -8.5C, SE4.7m/s, snowdrift development. Village 1000m: -7.6C, SSE5.1m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -8.1C, S12.2m/s, trace new snow. Hanazono#3: -6C, SW7.6m/s. Coastal data: S6m/s, Kamui cape ENE7m/s, 1022hPa, 0.7m waves.
Strong southerly winds are blowing on the higher levels as the low pressure system is approaching. Snowdrift development on the slopes above 800m elevation overnight due to the strong easterly wind with low pressure snowfall. Some of them developed 100cm. From the weather data, avalanche risk is low in the morning, however the gates above 1000m elevation will be closed to prevent avalanche accidents. Gate #5 is not yet decided. Wind creates cornices and leeward slopes are avalanche nests. Whether it's low pressure system snowfall or winterly system snowfall, rapid snowdrifts development and slabs cause avalanches. If there is wind, notable slabs can start to form even without snowfall. Snow in the tree runs is excellent. Poor visibility on the slopes around 800m elevation due to the air mass displacement. Beware of the sudden change of weather. Is your beacon on? We can prevent most of the accidents if we are careful. Have a good day.
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Individual ski area information for Monday 22nd 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.
*** Top lifts are on hold at the start of the day due to wind ***
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: 300cm (-10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 120cm (-10cm since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- 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: 1cm
- Base: 8cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 240cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 175cm (-5cm since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- 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: 210cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 180cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- 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: 233cm (+18cm since yesterday)
- Base: 154cm (-1cm since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- 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 (scheduled):
- All lifts operating
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Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Wednesday 20th March 2024.
Night skiing is usually until 7:00pm at Hirafu, Hanazono, Village and until 7:30pm at Annupuri.
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Monday 22nd January 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 629cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 54 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 262cm 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.