Niseko Now: Thursday 24th February 2022
- Feb 24, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 15cm
Snowfall at base this season 1024cm
Posted on Thursday 24th February 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
This morning I have just measured 15cm of new snowfall since my last report.
It is currently -4C and probably won't get much higher than that. Milder conditions are forecast over the coming days though, particularly on Saturday.
Visibility is varied, but as I write this it looks pretty limited at the Hirafu base.
Snow conditions should be excellent.
(Unfortunately, it looks like the top lifts are going to start the day on hold).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -5℃, calm, 15cm snowfall in the last 12hrs, no snowdrift development, good visibility. Moiwa800m: -8.1℃, WNW8.4m/s, light snowstorm, good visibility, snowdrift development has eased. Annupuri 1150m: -11.3℃, WNW8.2m/s, light snowstorm, good visibility, 20cm snowfall. Hirafu Peak: -13℃, light NW snow wind, minor snowdrift development. Hanazono 1000: -10.8℃, ENE3.1m/s, 20cm snowfall, snowdrift development has eased. Coastal data- Benkei cape: NW14m/s, Kamui cape: WSW10m/s, 1013hPa, 1.3m waves.
The isobars are moving apart and it seems the storm has passed. Snowdrift and cornice development has been massive over the last 72hrs, however they are starting to stabilise now. Peak gate openings yet to be decided, please respect the patrols decisions. Even if the gates open, avoid riding open cornice slopes and knolls above 800m, the avalanche risk continues. Avoid valley bottoms, this is where the avalanches run. This information is published for the safety of out of bounds resort riders. If one person ducks the ropes, others will follow, increasing the chances of an accident. Obey Niseko Rules. Today the mountain is a powder paradise. Take care not to fall into cracks. Beware a sudden weather change. Is your beacon on? Special thanks to all mountain staff who looked after the mountain during the storm. Have a good day.
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Planned ski area operations: Thursday 24th February 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: 440cm (+10cm)
- Base: 230cm (+10cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 25cm
- Base: 25cm
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
- 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: 380cm (+20cm)
- Base: 275cm (+5cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 25cm
- Base: 20cm
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: 340cm (no change)
- Base: 230cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- 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: 290cm
- Base: 230cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Niseko Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
- Banzai Chair
- Wonderland Chair
Niseko Now 2021-2022 season |
Data as of Thursday 24th February 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 1024cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 80 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (23rd December and 22nd February) November 2021 snowfall 85cm reported on 6 days December 2021 snowfall 307cm reported on 23 days January 2022 snowfall 325cm reported on 30 days February 2022 snowfall 307cm reported on 21 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.