Niseko Now: Monday 27th January 2025
- Jan 27, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 487cm
Posted on Monday 27th January 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
It's clear and sunny.
It appears that it is windy up on the mountain and as of 8:30am the Annupuri Gondola is on hold. Other lifts showing as opening as planned. (That might change at any time, of course).
I had a fun few hours on the snow yesterday morning, starting and ending at Hirafu and mostly riding the top bits. Lovely sunny weather and beautiful scenery.
Current snow conditions are, of course, far from the famous Niseko powder we are promised. In that respect, I felt it was (sort of) a bit like comparing the Big Mac you are actually served with how the one in the advert looks.
Having said that, I really enjoyed myself, as seemingly did the people around me. That seemed important.
Back to uncomfortable truths, though, I have only been able to report 3cm of snowfall across my last 9 reports, and the total observed snowfall in January 2025 is stuck at 138cm. I took a quick look back at previous data, which confirmed my feeling that we haven’t quite had such a similar prolonged period in January before.
Fresh snow is still due to be with us from sometime on Wednesday, so realistically, there might only be a few more reports this month that include any new cm of snow. I really hope those last couple of days of the month bring us all some happy news.
We need another 14cm to equal January 2017, which is currently the worst-performing January (in terms of observed snowfall numbers) since these reports began recording data in 2013. That is one record we certainly don’t want to be breaking.
As usual, once the monthly numbers are in, I'll be doing my season recap with further thoughts. I plan to post that at the beginning of February.
Come on, snow!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -8℃, no new snow, good visibility. Moiwa 800m: -7.0℃, NE6.4m/s, no new snow. Mikaeri 750m: -11℃, ENE1.6m/s, no new snow, good visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -8.9℃. Hirafu Hanazono: -9.2℃, NNE5.7m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape SE4m/s, Kamui Cape SW2m/s, 1027hPa, wave 0.5m.
The sea and the mountain are calm, stronger NE winds toward the peaks. No new snow yesterday and the skies are clear at dawn. You can see as far as Karibayama to the southwest. From observations, data, and snowfall trends the overall avalanche risk is low. All gates are expected to open. When you go outside the gates, you are not in the ski area, you are in the backcountry. Be careful following unknown tracks and getting lost. There are no buses back from Goshiki Onsen. In Chisenupuri and Naganuma areas, the steep summer slopes are covered with bamboo grass so full-depth avalanches can occur even in mid-winter. Be careful on slopes with cracks. Caution in Kozan no Sawa(BackBowl) around 1200m, the hard crust can crack and cause magic carpet-type avalanches. This information is provided to reduce off-course accidents. There is no safety on the mountain. Most accidents can be prevented by taking precautions. Snow is coming soon. Have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Monday 27th January 2025
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day at the time of writing.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 0cm
Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 210cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 160cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are scheduled to be operating
The gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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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: 250cm (-7cm change since yesterday)
Base: 110cm (-2cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
The Ace Gondola, Ace Family quad, King Gondola and King Holiday pair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 180cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are operating
The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 200cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
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Night skiing
Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Wednesday 23rd March 2025
Niseko Now 2024-2025 season |
Data as of Monday 27th January 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 487cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 52 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 23cm (16th December) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 311cm reported on 28 days January 2025 snowfall 138cm reported on 16 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.