Niseko Now: Sunday 27th February 2022
- Feb 27, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 1045cm
Posted on Sunday 27th February 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Well, like with most of Japan I believe, yesterday was a mild day with temps rising. There's a small amount of snow this morning and it's definitely a bit on the wet side. Good to see it though because I believe there was some rain leading up to it. Yuck! (Though I am happy not to have mentioned that word this season much).
I am guessing that conditions will probably be variable out there, and perhaps a bit slower than normal. Good for the thigh muscles, if you like that kind of thing. All lifts opening as planned this morning.
I'm going to have some toast and coffee now.
-----
Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: 0℃, 10cm wet snow, light winds. Moiwa 800m: -3.8℃, NNW1.9m/s, 10cm wet snow, minor snowdrift development, foggy, poor visibility. Annupuri 1150m: -6.3℃, NNW2.2m/s, 10cm new snow, good visibility above sea of clouds. Hirafu 1250m: -6℃, light west winds to dawn, poor visibility, trace new snow. Hirafu 1000m: -5.6℃, NNE0.3m/s, 10cm new snow. Coastal data- Benkei cape: W5m/s, Kamui cape: NW6m/s, 1004hPa, 1.3m waves.
There is a low pressure front off Ishikawa pref, the pressure gradient is shallow, the seas and mountains are calm. The influence of cold air on yesterday's warm air has caused low level cloud to 1000m, clear above, foggy below. Overnight a little snow fell with some minor snow drift development. The general avalanche risk is low, however shallow avalanches are likely to occur on open 30deg slopes above 1100m due to a Feb 26 layer formed by a temperature gradient. All gates are expected to be open. Below 700m conditions are foggy with 15cm new wet snow, visibility should improve after 9am. Be careful hitting trees, falling into cracks. Beware opened creeks, the water is cold and you will need ropes and some help to get out. A helmet and beacon are recommended. A helmet to prevent a fatal injury, a beacon to save your friend. Make sure your airbag works too. Side country is back country, no difference and the same dangers. Be careful.
-----
Planned ski area operations: Sunday 27th February 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: 430cm (-5cm)
- Base: 220cm (-10cm)
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
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- King Number 3 quad
- King Number 4
- Swinging Monkey
-----
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 365cm (no change)
- Base: 265cm (-10cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
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]
-----
Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 360cm (no change)
- Base: 250cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
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 3 pair
- Jumbo Number 4 pair
-----
Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 310cm
- Base: 250cm
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 Sunday 27th February 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 1045cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 83 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (23rd December and 22nd February) November 2021 snowfall 85cm reported on 6 days December 2021 snowfall 307cm reported on 23 days January 2022 snowfall 325cm reported on 30 days February 2022 snowfall 328cm 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.