Niseko Now: Wednesday 25th January 2017
- Jan 25, 2017
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 3, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 9cm
Snowfall at base this season 407cm
Posted on Wednesday 25th January 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Anyway, fine blue skies early on in the day with clouds moving in late morning and then snow starting to fall.
So what do I have to report to you this morning?
There's 9cm of fresh snowfall at my measuring point is what. I see that the Avalanche Report this morning is reporting 20-30cm in places... so those places will no doubt be sought after this morning! Sounds good to me.
It remains cold and light snow is falling. Things look calm to so I would expect everywhere to be opening as planned this morning.
The forecast is still looking good for potentially heavy snowfall on Friday and consistent snowfall following that into next week. So far I have observed 116cm of snowfall during the month of January so we still have a lot of catching up to do to come close to the amount of snow that we have seen in January over previous recent seasons. (Data can of course all be seen below and on the Snowfall Analysis page). Fingers crossed.
In the meantime, hope you have a fun day.
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Yesterday morning I had lots of fun skiing with some visitors from Australia. It was their first time in Niseko and they were having a blast. It was very interesting to hear them talk about the usual snow conditions at their home resorts and how their experience here in Niseko compares. I have never skied in Australia so am not in the position to be able to make comparisons. But it was one of those times when I realise that I need to remember to always appreciate being here and how fabulous Niseko is.
Thanks, friendly Australian family.
Still, those glossy Niseko marketing brochures that I avidly read each evening promise me the best snow in the world, so I stand by my right to have the highest expectations.
Let's expecting.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -11℃, 20cm crystal snowfall. Moiwa800m: -11.4℃, NNW3.3, 30cm new snow, snowpack 160cm. Annupuri 1150m: -13℃, NW10m/s, 30cm new snow. Hirafu 1250m: -16℃, NW15m/s, 10cm snowfall. Kamui cape lighthouse: NNW5m/s, 1020hPa, 1.5m waves.
Calm morning under a high-pressure band. Good snow has deposited in the west side and no notable slabs have formed. All gates are expected to open. Please listen to the ski patrol’s advice and be prepared for backcountry travels. Beacons and helmets are not mandatory, but highly recommended. Beacon checkers at gates are sensitive, please allow 3 sec lag between each other.
The avalanche risk is low, however cornice fall or steep slope traverses can always trigger a slide. There will be many people in the out of bounds area today. Do not trigger an avalanche with a foolish act. Snowpack is still shallow, but the terrain remains and is fun. Overhead faceshots may block your sight, beware of hitting trees. Snowboarders may be better off carrying snowshoes. Always be vigilant. Prudency is key to avoid accidents.
Have a nice day.
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Official resort snow depths as of Wednesday 25th January 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 280cm
Base - 110cm
Niseko Village
Top - 220cm
Base - 130cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 235cm
Base - 135cm
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Night skiing is planned until Monday 20th March 2017 at the Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village resort areas. There is no nighta in the Hanazono area.
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Wednesday 25th January 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 407cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 51 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 181cm reported on 22 days January 2017 snowfall 116cm reported on 15 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.