Niseko Now: Wednesday 25th December 2024
- Dec 25, 2024
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 8cm
Snowfall at base this season 287cm
Posted on Wednesday 25th December 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good afternoon from Niseko.
It feels very odd writing my report at this time!
But here we are on a fine Christmas day. After a less clear start, at lunchtime we have blue skies, we have some cloud and we have sunshine.
Oh yes, we also have some top lifts moving from this morning. See the Avalanche Report below.
And, oh yes, another 8cm of snow from yesterday. The snowfall as been rather modest and gradual over the last week or so, but perhaps from tonight and tomorrow we will get some larger numbers.
In the meantime, I hope you all have a fine day wherever you are. See you tomorrow, probably at a more regular (and toast-friendly) time.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -6℃, light wind, trace new snow, good visibility. Moiwa 800m: -8.0℃, NW5.4m/s, slight snowfall and slab development. Annupuri 1100m: -10.2℃, WNW5.0m/s, slight snowfall. Hanazono 1000m: -9.8℃, ENE2.1m/s 8cm new snow in the last 12hrs, slight slab development. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NNW12m/s, Kamui Cape: W7m/s, 1022hPa, 0.9m waves, Mikaeri 750m: -8℃, WNW1.0m, slight snowfall, good visibility.
No significant snowfall or slab development, and snow is stable. From the morning assessment, overall avalanche risk is low. Top lifts at Annupuri and Hirafu will operate for the first time for this season today, but it will take some time before the gates open. Do not ski in Annupuri Osawa or Fujiwara no Sawa just yet. One track ducking under the ropes can lead others to follow, and ultimately can lead to accidents. Respect Niseko rules. Avalanche accidents often occur by breaking slabs developed by snowstorms. Avoid skiing on steep slopes at the same time, which can cause accidents. Stay out of the gully bottom. You won't be caught in an avalanche if you’re not there. The snow condition continues to be excellent, especially in the forest. Watch out for crashing into trees. Have a great day.
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Individual ski area information for Wednesday 25th December 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.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 18cm
Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 180cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 150cm (+8cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All four lifts scheduled to be operating
The gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 20cm
Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 220cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 110cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating apart from Ace Number 4 pair
The Ace Gondola, Ace Family quad, King Gondola and King Holiday pair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 160cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 100cm (-10cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts apart from Country Road are operating
The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 180cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 120cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are operating
The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
All lifts are operating
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Night skiing
Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Wednesday 23rd March 2025.
Niseko Now 2024-2025 season |
Data as of Wednesday 25th December 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 287cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 30 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 23cm (16th December) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 249cm 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.