Niseko Now: Sunday 26th February 2023
- Feb 26, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 8, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 19cm
Snowfall at base this season 962cm
Posted on Sunday 26th February 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
It was windy last night and still quite windy this morning and what feels like changeable conditions this morning. Light snow is falling, though there is some blue sky to see in places, and visibility also looks quite varied at the moment.
At 8am I measured just under 20cm snowfall and I note that Hirafu and Hanazono are both reporting up to around 30cm on upper elevations. Very nice.
Unfortunately, at the start of operations, wind is affecting some lifts. All of the top lifts are going to be on hold, as is the Annupuri Gondola. Others seem to be opening as planned.
Clear and sunny skies are lined up for tomorrow, along with some milder temps. Hopefully less wind too.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -4C, 15cm new snow, poor visibility. Moiwa 800m: -10.3C, W10.0m/s, strong wind and snow, poor visibility, snowdrift development. Annupuri 1100m: -12.8C, WNW7.6m/s, poor visibility, blizzard. Mizuno no Sawa: -11.5C, NNW5.5m/s. Hirafu Hanazono: -12.6C, NE8.3m/s. Hanazono#3: -10.2C, N6.0m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NNW14m/s, Kamui Cape NNW11m/s, 1020hPa,2.5m waves.
Major snowdrift and cornice development due to strong N winds overnight. From observations and fracture tests at 800m, slab like snowdrifts are fracturing easily. The avalanche risk on cornice slopes and knolls is high above the treeline. Peak gates are expected to be closed. Other gates yet to be decided. Please respect the patrol's decision. Conditions are dangerous taking a high traverse from Hanazono Gate 5. The avalanche risk is rising in the Higashi One 3rd Creek area due to continued snow accumulations from the N winds. Also out of Moiwa Gate 6 today, conditions require care. Unstable snowdrifts are continuing to grow. Do not traverse from Annupuri Gondola Gate 8 to the center ridge cornice slope. Accidents have occurred in the past under similar conditions. Do not duck ropes. One set of tracks will lead others to follow, increasing the chances of an accident. Best not to stray too far from the ski runs today. Beware getting lost in poor visibility. Carry a beacon. Have a good day.
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Ski area information for Sunday 26th February 2023
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day, weather permitting.
Official snow depth numbers in brackets show the change since previous report.
** SOME LIFTS AFFECTED BY WIND THIS MORNING **
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 30cm
- Base: 30cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 420cm (+20cm since yesterday)
- Base: 200cm (+30cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Ace Family quad [* open until for 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four) [* open until for 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Ace Number 4 pair
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- King Number 3 quad
- King Number 4
- Swinging Monkey
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 28cm
- Base: 25cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 358cm (+23cm since yesterday)
- Base: 285cm (+15cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 270cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 200cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad [* open until 7:30pm for night skiing]
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair [* normally open on weekends and holidays]
- Jumbo Number 4 pair
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 250cm (+5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 230cm (+5cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Niseko Gondola
- Upper Village Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Banzai Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Wonderland Chair
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
- Number 1 pair lift
- Number 2 pair lift
- Quad lift
Niseko Now 2022-2023 season |
Data as of Sunday 26th February 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 962cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 83 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (27th & 28th January, 6th February) November 2022 snowfall 17cm reported on 5 days December 2022 snowfall 336cm reported on 27 days January 2023 snowfall 332cm reported on 27 days February 2023 snowfall 277cm 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.