Niseko Now: Friday 28th December 2018
- Dec 28, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 4, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 26cm
Snowfall at base this season 357cm
Posted on Friday 28th December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
And a very good morning to you all from here in Niseko.
Not wanting to lose out to areas of Honshu that finally seem to be getting dumped on - very pleased to see that - I can add another 26cm of fresh snow from here by my Hirafu base. And to think, there'll be more than that higher up on the mountain.
Snow conditions should be excellent this morning.
It is also very cold and rather windy - be prepared - and with limited visibility, know where you're going.
Now that Christmas is over and Santa has enjoyed his last piece of toast before moving on, New Year is the next big holiday. In Japan, of course, New Year is a much bigger event than Christmas and with the many visitors from overseas it is going to be very busy.
With regular fresh top-ups of snow on the forecast into next week, we are going to end the year in style.
With the 26cm from today, my total observed snowfall for the month of December 2018 goes up to 273cm and the total for the season so far up to 357cm. Last season by the end of December I had observed a Niseko-tastic 594cm for the season so far. While that is out of reach, perhaps we can beat my observed December 2017 snowfall of 406cm. 49cm in the last three reports of the year? Very possible.
I know, I know, it's just a number - but I like looking at the numbers. So let me have my fun!
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Mountain Base 6.00am: -10°, 20cm new snow in the last 12 hrs, snowdrift development, mild blizzard. Moiwa 800m: -13°, 50cm snowdrift and cornice development. Hirafu Peak -16°, N16m/s, 30cm wind packed snow. Niseko Village Mizuno no Sawa -14°, NW16.9m/s, cornice and snow drift development. Kutchan Weather Station snow depth 94cm, -8.4°. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: N17m/s. Kamui Cape: NW13m/s, 1003hPa, wave 3.1m.
A snow wind continues above 800m with unstable cornice and snowdrift development. Knolls under ridgelines and open 40deg slopes, the avalanche risk is high. From observation at 800m Moiwa Bowl, there is major cornice growth fracturing at up to 100cm depth. Do not stimulate cornices or knolls or ride and wait in the valley bottom. Snow is good in the trees, deep and heavy. Always be aware of risks when riding. Avalanches hit you from behind.
Gate openings are not yet decided. Please listen to the patrols advice. With care you can avoid accidents. Do not enter Haru no Taki, even by mistake. Beware frostbite. Have a good day.
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Ski resort operation information: Friday 28th December 2018
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report. Subject to change!
** SOME LIFTS AFFECTED BY WIND EARLY THIS MORNING - SEE ABOVE **
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 230cm
- Base: 160cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart from Ace Number 4 pair lift and King Number 2 quad lifts are normally operating
- The Ace Family quad (until 8:30pm), Ace Center 4 quad (8:20pm), Hirafu Gondola (until 8:10pm) and Holiday Number 1 pair (until 8:30pm) lifts are normally open during the evening
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 150cm
- Base: 96cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All Hanazono lifts are normally operating
- The Hanazono lifts are normally open until 3:30pm
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono Courses:
- All official courses are now available
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 180cm
- Base: 90cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All Annupuri lifts are normally operating
- The Jumbo 1 lift is normally open until 8:30pm during the evening
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 190cm
- Base: 100cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart from Morino Chair and Country Road Chair are normally operating
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are normally open until 8:00pm during the evening
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Friday 28th December 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 357cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 31 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 26cm (28th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 273cm reported on 23 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.