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Niseko Now: Wednesday 25th December 2019

  • Dec 25, 2019
  • 3 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido


New snowfall at base 8cm
Snowfall at base this season 256cm

Posted on Wednesday 25th December 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here


Santa-san has brought some snowfall with him. Steady as we go with me being able to measure just under 10cm of snowfall since yesterday morning.


It is a cold morning, lots of grey clouds around with light snowfall continuing to fall.


There are lots of people around now here to enjoy their Christmas holidays. Hi!


I hope you can all enjoy your day wherever you may be. I think I am going to be a bit indulgent today. Some of my special toast is called for. Santa-san seemed to like it. The reindeer were looking on too, I think they were disappointed with the carrots...


Sorry, I'll get back to being a bit more serious tomorrow. Maybe. :)


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Niseko Avalanche Report


Mountain Base 6am: -8°C, light breeze, 5cm snowfall. 600m elevation; light breeze 5cm snowfall and good visibility. Coastal data: Benkei cape NNW11m/s, Kamui cape W7m/s, 1024hPa, 2.0m waves. Hanazono chair 3: NW5.2m/s, -9.7°C. Hirafu 1000m: -12.7m/s.


The atmospheric pressure gradient is slacking and the wind is settling down.


Snowpack has grown at knolls and cornices slopes under 800m elevation, however, looking at the weather transition, the avalanche risk is lowering in most places.


Snow is still insufficient under 700m elevation and not suitable for skiing. Ask the ski patrols some advice and please respect the Niseko Rules.


The groomer conditions in the morning is fantastic, however better watch out for bumps and stumps still present along the course. The cold weather has kept the snow under freezing level and similar to conditions in Furano.


Going under the ropes is strictly prohibited in Niseko and wearing a helmet is strongly recommended.


Have a great day.


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Niseko Grand Hirafu


Official snow depth (reported by resort):

- Peak: 175cm

- Base: 75cm


Ski lifts operating:

- Ace Family quad (until 8:30pm)

- Ace Number 2 Center quad (until 8:20pm)

- Ace Number 3 pair

- Hirafu Gondola (until 8:10pm)

- Holiday Number 1 pair (until 8:30pm)

- King Number 1 pair

- King Number 3 quad

- Swinging Monkey


Courses available:

- Family

- Sennoki

- Alpen

- Super

- Detour for beginners

- Green

- Furiko

- Shirakaba

- Center

- Kogen

- Boyo

- Ni-kabe

- Kokutai

- Holiday

- Rinkan (lower area)

- Jumbo


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Niseko HANAZONO Resort


Official snow depth (reported by resort):

- Peak: 120cm

- Base: 65cm


Ski lifts operating:

- Hanazono Number 1 quad

- Hanazono Number 2 quad

- Hanazono Number 3 quad


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Niseko Annupuri


Official snow depth (reported by resort):

- Peak: 95cm

- Base: 65cm


Ski lifts operating:

- Annupuri Gondola

- Dream Number 1 quad

- Jumbo Number 1 quad (until 8:30pm)

- Jumbo Number 2 pair

- Jumbo Number 3 pair


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Niseko Village


Official snow depth (reported by resort):

- Peak: 95cm

- Base: 65cm


Ski lifts operating:

- Niseko Gondola

- Upper Village Gondola (until 8:00pm)

- Village Express (until 8:00pm)

- Community Chair

- Banzai Chair (until 8:00pm)



Niseko Now 2019-2020 season

Data as of Wednesday 25th December 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 256cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 27 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 21cm (6th December) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 171cm 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.


SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for.



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