Niseko Now: Sunday 23rd January 2022
- Jan 23, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 8cm
Snowfall at base this season 636cm
Posted on Sunday 23rd January 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
We enjoyed some fine weather yesterday (well, the clearer kind of 'fine') and this morning it looks like we might have another day of clearer skies. I was just over at Hanazono and while the sun was out and it was really bright, it was also snowing at the same time. That always looks very pretty.
I just measured 8cm of new snowfall for the report today, and the ski areas seem to reporting 15cm or thereabouts on the mountain. (I'm really wondering whether to take out the snowfall report numbers from Niseko Village - below - as they don't seem to update them and it seems to confuse some people).
Anyway, yes, a fine and calm morning and all should be open. It's a cold morning too, and I would expect snow conditions to be really good.
The next decent snowfall looks to be due in the second half of the week.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base -6℃, 15cm new snow, light wind, calm. Moiwa 800m: -7℃, light winds, 20cm new snow, calm. Annupuri 1150m: -9℃, 10cm new, light winds, calm. Hirafu peak ridge: -11℃, 15cm new snow, calm, good visibility. Coastal data Benkei cape: NNW6m/s, Kamui cape: WNW4m/s, 1022hPa, 0.7m waves.
Isobars are widely spaced, there is no significant snow clouds and the seas and mountains are calm. From observation and data, the general avalanche risk is low. Peak gates are expected to be open. Please be prepared before exiting the gates. Fantastic conditions with the whole mountain covered in 15-20cm of light crystal snow. However below 700m the risk of full depth avalanches on cracked slopes continues, and above 1100m loose shallow avalanches are likely to occur on steep slopes under cornices. Be aware of your surroundings. Due to the persistent north winds this winter, there are more snow drifts than usual above 800m. Do not carelessly stimulate slopes under cornices, steep slopes, knolls or creek sidewalls. There is the possibility of thick surface avalanches from a deep layer. Never take safety for granted in the mountains. Do not overestimate your skills or knowledge, be cautious. This information is provided for resort users who ride out of bounds. Be careful of loosing control and falling in a crack or hitting a tree. Turn your beacon turned on!
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Planned ski area operations: Sunday 23rd January 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).
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 345cm (+15cm)
- Base: 170cm (+10cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 20cm
- Base: 20cm
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
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- 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: 270cm (no change)
- Base: 208cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 3cm
- Base: 7cm
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: 250cm (no change)
- Base: 185cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 8cm
- Base: 8cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- All lifts scheduled to open
- 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: 240cm no change
- Base: 180cm no change
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Niseko Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
- Banzai Chair
- Morino Chair
- Wonderland Chair
Niseko Now 2021-2022 season |
Data as of Sunday 23rd January 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 636cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 51 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (23rd December) November 2021 snowfall 85cm reported on 6 days December 2021 snowfall 307cm reported on 23 days January 2022 snowfall 244cm reported on 22 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.