Niseko Now: Monday 23rd December 2024
- Dec 23, 2024
- 5 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 11cm
Snowfall at base this season 265cm
Posted on Monday 23rd December 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
This morning, and since yesterday, I have measured a further 11cm of snowfall. It is snowing as I write this, and some nice big fluffy looking flakes too.
There might be an easing off and some sunshine for Santa and his pals on Wednesday, but before then and after then there is regular snowfall shown on forecasts.
As Christmas Day 2024 approaches, we are in a very pleasing situation. (I'm happy to also realise as I write this how relatively little wind has been an issue to deal with, too).
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I often start my reports with a ‘Good morning from Niseko’ greeting. I thought I’d elaborate on that to avoid confusion or misunderstanding.
(Many of you will probably know this, but some are not aware... this is for their ears!)
So, what exactly is ‘Niseko’?
It means different things to people; for most people, it is probably just the name of the famous region. But let’s facts.
The four ski areas collectively known as Niseko United are located within the geographic boundaries of Kutchan Town and Niseko Town.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu and Niseko Hanazono Resort (oops, sorry, HANAZONO) are in Kutchan Town. The small Asahigaoka ski area close to Kutchan Station (and talked about in an earlier report this season) is also in Kutchan Town. (6th December 2024 report).
Niseko Village Ski Resort and Niseko Annupuri Kokusai are in Niseko Town. The other ski area on the mountain, Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort, is also in Niseko Town.
Niseko United might sound like a football/soccer team. But it is a lift & course-connected collective of four individual ski area operations owned by different companies, working together for marketing, promotion, shared lift tickets, etc.
You might notice they all include the all-important word ‘Niseko’ in their name.
Outwardly, I think it is similar to the Hakuba Valley group in the northern region of Nagano Prefecture. That grouping consists of 10 individual ski areas in Hakuba Village, Otari Village and Omachi City. Some of those ski areas are physically connected, like Niseko United, but most are not.
I bring my reports to you from close to the base of Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu, so from a location in Kutchan Town. Of course, I include information on all the ski areas in my daily report.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -6℃, 20cm new snow overnight, no wind driven snow slabs. Moiwa 800m: -9.1℃, WNW3.5m/s(20m/s @ midnight), overnight slab development stabilised. Mikaeri 750m: -9.2℃, WNW1.8m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -11.3℃, WNW4.3m/s(20m/s @ 02:00), unstable cornice and slab development, Hanazono 1000m: -11.2℃, E1.6m/s(25m/s @ 00:00), slab development and increased snow depth. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW14m/s(18m/s @ 00:00), Kamui Cape: W9m/sm/s, 1008hPa, 2.4m waves.
The wind and snow strengthened from midnight to the early hours of the morning, increasing the amount of snow. From data, new slab formation is starting to stabilize, but the risk of avalanches on steep slopes, like cornice slopes and creek side walls, will be high all day. Based on observations and tests, avalanches are predicted to occur on the Dec 21-22 layer where the low pressure snow fell. Be careful as new slabs are prone to break on weak layers. Accidents are more likely to occur during or immediately after a snowstorm. Stay away from the bottom of the valleys, these are avalanche paths. Do not thoughtlessly ride slab slopes and cause an avalanche. Avalanches are natural phenomena, but accidents happen when people are there. The snow in the forest is fine. Do not duck under the ropes. The opening and closing times of each gate have not yet been decided. This information is not gate information. Have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Monday 23rd 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: 11cm
Base: 17cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 170cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 138cm (+7cm 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 (no change since yesterday)
Base: 110cm (+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: 95cm (-25cm 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: 160cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 125cm (+10cm 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 Monday 23rd December 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 265cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 28 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 23cm (16th December) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 227cm reported on 20 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.