Niseko Now: Sunday 24th December 2023
- Dec 24, 2023
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 16cm
Snowfall at base this season 317cm
Posted on Sunday 24th December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
Another 15+cm of fresh snow at base with ski areas reporting up to 30cm in upper areas.
We still need more snow to fill places out and for those top lifts and gates to open, but forecasts are good for the consistent snow to continue. Maybe the heaviest around Wednesday.
As I write this report it is snowing moderately but wind doesn't seem to be any problems. There should be some nice conditions to enjoy out there!
It's Christmas Eve! Somehow that doesn't mean as much to me as it once did (pre-Japan). Anyway, there will be fireworks at the end of night skiing tonight here in Hirafu.
And, of course, it being Christmas, Santa is here today*. Yes, he has once again come to his favourite ski area in the world for some super-gnarly fun between handing out all those presents. He's even going to be making a few scheduled appearances for photo opportunities and stuff. Hirafu are promising that he will be 'offer(ing) wonderful Christmas gifts for your children', which sounds fabulous. Funny, they are also noting that he is 'very energetic and very good at skiing'. So now you know!
* Japan usually treats 24th December as 'Christmas', switching into 'New Year mode' from 25th December.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6am : -10°, 10cm new snow over last 12hrs. Mikaeri 764m: -10°, SW5m/s, snow depth 180cm. Hanazono 1000m: -13.3°, SW2.8m/s, 10cm new snow in last 12hrs. Hanazono 3 : -10.2°, NNW5.6m/s,(max 12m/s), 15cm new snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NNW12m/s. Kamui Cape WNW9m/s, 1027hPa, wave 1.5m.
The isobars have spread far apart and the sea and mountains are calm. Snowdrift development is slow and avalanche risk around the ski resorts is low. Chutes like on Iwaonupuri are also stable, but it is better to go one person at a time. Is your beacon turned on? The snow is increasing little by little, but it is still not possible to ski off the course. Respect the rules. If one person ducks the rope, others will follow, increasing the possibility of an accident. Its cold, be careful of frostbite. Have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Sunday 24th December 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 at the time of writing and subject to change.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 25cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 230cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 90cm (+15cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Ace Family quad (until 7:00pm)
- Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four) (until 7:00pm)
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Hirafu Gondola (until 7:00pm)
- Holiday Number 1 pair (until 7:00pm)
- King Number 3 quad
- Swinging Monkey
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 30cm
- Base: 25cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 150cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 115cm (+20cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola (until 7:00pm)
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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: 140cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 100cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad (until 7:30pm)
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 149cm
- Base: 96cm
Lifts:
- Niseko Gondola
- Upper Village Gondola (until 7:00pm)
- Village Express (until 7:00pm)
- Community Chair
- Banzai Chair (until 7:00pm)
- Morino Chair
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
- Number 1 pair
- Number 2 pair
- Quad
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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 Sunday 24th December 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 317cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 28 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 31cm (18th December) November 2023 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 days December 2023 snowfall 197cm reported on 17 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.