Niseko Now: Tuesday 25th January 2022
- Jan 25, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 640cm
Posted on Tuesday 25th January 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just a dusting of snow to report to you this morning from base. I just about feel comfortable posting 1cm for this report.
We've not had as much snowfall this last week or so, and as we are always very greedy when it comes to our insatiable desire for fresh light fluffy snow, it does feel like we could do with a full reset. Even though conditions actually remain pretty good. They'd just be better with a new layer. Like I said, just greedy. Forecasts appear to be indicating that we might be getting back into the snow groove from Thursday.
There's not much wind at all this morning and all scheduled lifts should be doing their thing.
Over at Hanazono right now there's some blue sky, some sun, some cloud and some (very) light snow falling. Very pretty.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -5℃, light dusting and calm. Moiwa800m: -7℃, light breeze, 5cm snowfall. Annupuri1150m: -10℃, NW breeze, light snowdrifts. Hirafu peak ridge: -11℃, northerly breeze, light snowdrifts, 5cm new snow on course and good groomer condition. Coastal data Benkei cape: NNW4m/s, Kamui cape: WNW4m/s, 1020hPa, 0.7m waves. Look up other weather data on separate site.
The atmospheric pressure gradient is flat and the mountain/ocean weather is calm. New snowfall is scarce and the snowdrifts development is small. According to observations and weather data evaluation, the general avalanche risk is low. All gates are scheduled to open early morning. Listen to the ski patrol’s advice and prepare yourself for the backcountry. The area outside the gates is not the resort anymore.
Glide avalanche risk continues in 700m elevation SE facing slopes with cracks. Sasa-bamboo is covering those slopes and the depth hoar on top of it, formed due to the large temperature difference in early winter, is barely capable of holding the deep snowpack piled on top. Better not stay still under a cracked slope. Cracks are also hard to see from above and falling in can easily end up in a critical situation. Beware of hitting trees, they’re stronger than you’d think. The old tracks are not covered, but the snow remains good.
This information may sound excessively alarming, but is issued for the safety of all resort users. Please respect the Niseko Rules.
Epic groomers conditions today.
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Planned ski area operations: Tuesday 25th January 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: 335cm (+5cm)
- Base: 165cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
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: 280cm (no change)
- Base: 205cm (-5cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 7cm
- Base: 3cm
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: 250cm (no change)
- Base: 185cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
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: 250cm +10cm
- Base: 180cm -30cm (!!)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
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 Tuesday 25th January 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 640cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 53 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (23rd December) November 2021 snowfall 85cm reported on 6 days December 2021 snowfall 307cm reported on 23 days January 2022 snowfall 248cm reported on 24 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.