Niseko Now: Wednesday 26th December 2018
- Dec 26, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 4, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 13cm
Snowfall at base this season 319cm
Posted on Wednesday 26th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning.
And for your present this morning - 13cm of lovely quality light snow. Really nice quality. It is cold this morning, but set to get colder still.
Lots of cloud around but thin in places with a few areas of blue sky to be seen at times.
The forecast remains good for consistent snowfall to continue through the coming weekend as well; with some spells of heavier snowfall so I hope that my cunning plan to bring you decent numbers (of fresh snowfall) each day through the end of the year can be pulled off.
I think that's about it from me this morning. So I will see you tomorrow.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -3℃, 10cm snowfall in 12 hours and snowing. Moiwa800m: -4℃, NNW12m/s, 15cm snowfall, light storm with snowdrifts. Mikaeri Junction: -5℃, N10m/s, 20cm snowfall with snowdrifts, 180cm snowpack. Sea of Japan Benkei cape: N11m/s, Kamui cape: WNW8m/s, 1014hPa, 1.5m waves. Hirafu peak-9℃, N15m/s, swowdrifts developing. Kutchan town snowpack 73cm.
Although the snow depth in lower elevation is still not enough (about 70cm), gate 4 & 6 are being prepared to open soon. Avalanche control has begun in Mizuno no sawa and 50cm slides from Dec 23rd layer has been observed. 2 poachers already got caught in Mizuno no sawa. It is mandatory to have everyone follow the rules in order to keep Niseko’s freedom to ride out of bounds. Better not forget the accident that happened two seasons ago.
The bushes are still thick and creeks are yet to be buried in the off piste area below 800m elevation. The snow condition in the tree runs is very good, however still not plenty. Remain prudent of obstacles. Once the next storm passes, the conditions will ameliorate. The wind and snow has already started to pick up above 1000m elevation and Mizuno no sawa area. Have a great day.
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Ski resort operation information: Wednesday 26th December 2018
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report.
Subject to change!
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 210cm
- Base: 95cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart from Ace Number 4 pair lift and King Number 2 quad lifts are operating
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 150cm
- Base: 103cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All Hanazono lifts are operating
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono Courses:
- All courses are now open
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 170cm
- Base: 90cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All Annupuri lifts are operating
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 180cm
- Base: 95cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart from Morino Chair and Country Road Chair are operating
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Wednesday 26th December 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 319cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 29 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 25cm (23rd November and 14th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 235cm 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.