Niseko Now: Monday 27th February 2023
- Feb 27, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 8, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 974cm
Posted on Monday 27th February 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
Actually, I am in Sapporo at the moment, so that's not quite right. But after a phone call with a trusted friend, I believe all should be fine with this 'remote' report!
I will keep it short. Cloud and blue sky this morning, with just a little fresh snowfall.
Wind still appears to be an issue this morning with top lifts on hold at the start of the day.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -11C, scarce snowfall overnight. Moiwa 800m -10.1C, SW2.8m/s, large development of snowdrifts and cornices. Annupuri 1100m: -12.5C, W6.7m/s, cornice development. Mizuno no Sawa: -11.9C, W2.1m/s. Hirafu Hanazono: -12.4C, WSW1.3m/s. Hanazono#3: -8.3℃, NNE4.2m/s. Coastal data: Benkei cape WSW3m/s, Kamui cape SSW12m/s, 1027hPa, 2.0m waves.
Clear morning under a high pressure system. Cornices and snowdrifts development has stopped now, however the strong northerly wind that persisted until late last night made cornices and snowdrifts grow huge and changed the terrain in some spots. 150cm thick slides from Feb 25th low-pressure layer was observed during tests at 800m elevation this morning. There’s a huge difference between windblown and windloaded areas. The avalanche risk is high in open steep slopes of heavily wind exposed bowls in the western side of the mountain. It is highly recommended not to ride large terrains such as the Backbowl today. The snow is good in lower elevation treeruns, however the snow is windpacked and heavy. The temperature is forecasted to rise today and make the snow melt. Beware of new cracks forming and/or falling into creeks. All gates are scheduled to open. Listen to the ski patrol’s advice before stepping out of the gates. There is no guaranteed safety in this sport. Have you switched your beacon on? Is your airbag functioning properly? The wind will eventually pick up again, beware of sudden weather changes. Have a nice day.
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Ski area information for Monday 27th 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: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 410cm (-10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 200cm (no change 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
- 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: 2cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 350cm (-8cm since yesterday)
- Base: 283cm (-2cm 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: 15cm
- Base: 15cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 270cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 210cm (+10cm 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 (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 230cm (no change 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 Monday 27th February 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 974cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 84 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 289cm reported on 25 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.