Niseko Now: Tuesday 23rd January 2024
- Jan 23, 2024
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 5cm
Snowfall at base this season 634cm
Posted on Tuesday 23rd January 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
This morning there is a lot of cloud around, but even a few bits of blue sky to see in some places. With the fast moving cloud that might be gone by the time I get to post this morning. Also 'in places', it is snowing lightly. So we have a mixed bunch of weather conditions.
We're going to be experiencing some more lift disruption again today due to windy conditions on the mountain. As of 8:30am the top lifts are on hold, as is the Niseko Gondola at Niseko Village.
It's a curiously mild early morning too, with the thermometer outside my place showing slightly under +1C. It should quickly be getting colder over the next several days.
Oh yes, I have 5cm of snow to report. I see Hirafu (the ski area) is reporting 15cm, and 20cm is being reported in the Avalanche Report. As always, we can probably expect more at higher elevations, and maybe wind is a factor there too.
------------------
Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base 6am: 0C, 20cm snowfall in 12h. Moiwa 800m: -3.0C, SSE5.6m/s, snowdrifts developments. Annupuri 1100m: -5.2C, SE7.4m/s. Village 1000m: -3.9C, SSE10m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -5.4C, 25m/s gusts during the night. Hanazono#3: -2.9C, S3.2m/s, snowdrifts and windblown areas developing alternately. Coastal data: Benkei cape SW3m/s, Kamui cape S13m/s, 999hPa, 0.7m waves.
The low pressure system is moving slowly and foul weather is persisting. It is relatively calm in lower elevation, however the atmospheric pressure gradient is steep above 800m elevation. Strong SE winds are generating cornices and heavy snowdrifts in unusual spots. The new snow is not bonding well with yesterday’s surface. The avalanche risk is high in all areas and the surrounding mountains. Stay away from leeward open slopes above 800m elevation. Stay away from avalanche runways, or the gully bottoms. The snow in north facing tree runs under 800m elevation is relatively good, but slides are expected in steep aspects. High elevation gates will be shut. Northerly wind will start blowing as the low pressure moves east and form a typical winter pressure distribution. This information is issued for the safety of all people visiting Niseko. Accidents are caused by putting overconfidence in knowledge and skills. Nature can be cruel sometimes. Your wisdom is being tested today. Is your beacon turned on today? Have a good one.
------------------
Individual ski area information for Tuesday 23rd 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: 15cm
- Base: 15cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 310cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 130cm (+10cm since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts 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
------------------
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 12cm
- Base: 8cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 250cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 180cm (+5cm since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
- The Hanazono Symphony Gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 210cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 180cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
- The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
------------------
Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 235cm (+2cm since yesterday)
- Base: 162cm (+8cm since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts apart from Country Road
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
------------------
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 Tuesday 23rd January 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 634cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 55 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 267cm 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.