Niseko Now: Friday 28th March 2025
- Mar 28, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 13
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 773cm
The 1cm that I am reporting today is from yesterday. (It has been long gone by now).
This morning it is a cloudy, foggy and damp morning. Not very appealing! But if you do venture out, much care needed with non-fluffy spring snow and limited visibility.
The King Gondola at Hirafu is not opening as planned; not sure why.
Tomorrow should be at least clearer... and colder, too. Sporadic snow here and there still showing on weekly forecasts.
We're not getting the full-on spring treatment just yet.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moutain base: +2℃, light rain. Moiwa 800m: -1.0℃, S0.7m/s, no snowfall. Annupuri1100m: +0.3℃, WNW3.8m/s, thick fog and poor visibility. Hirafu Hanazono: +2℃, SSW6.5m/s, thick fog. Coastal data: Benkei capeW3m/s, Kamui cape: calm, 1001hPa, 0.6m waves.
Warm air is flowing in under 700m elevation as the low-pressure system passes, but the isobars are widely spaced. Cold air is present in higher elevation, resulting in a thick fog above 800m. Gates are scheduled to open if the fog clears, please follow the ski patrol’s instructions. Avalanche hazard from yesterday’s pre-low pressure snowfall is almost non-existent. However, glide avalanches, like ice avalanches, can occur anytime without a sign. Sudden slides shouldn’t happen if the new snowdrift’s weight is reduced with rain and temperature rise, and the balance between shear strength and stress is even. However, it is still highly recommended to stay away from the bottom (natural halfpipe) of the Kozan-no-Sawa and O-sawa (Backbowl and Annupuri bowl). Glide avalanches are unpredictable. Do not duck ropes and sneak into strictly off-limits areas behind the back of the ski patrollers. Have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Friday 28th March 2025
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
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: 273cm (-2cm change since yesterday)
Base: 170cm (no change since yesterday)
Current operations (scheduled as per official site; subject to change):
All 4 lifts are open
Planned closing date:
Sunday 13th April 2025 (extended from original planned closing of 6th April)
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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: 330cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 90cm (no change since yesterday)
Current operations (scheduled as per official site; subject to change):
7 lifts operating
Ace Number 3 pair lift and Ace Number 4 pair lift are closed
Planned closing date:
Monday 31st March 2025
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 220cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 120cm (no change since yesterday)
Current operations (scheduled as per official site; subject to change):
6 lifts operating
Morino Chair lift is closed
Planned closing date:
Sunday 6th April 2025
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 270cm
Base: 100cm
Current operations (scheduled as per official site; subject to change):
4 lifts operating
Jumbo Number 2 pair lift and Jumbo Number 3 pair lift are closed
Planned closing date:
Tuesday 6th May 2025
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Current operations (scheduled as per official site; subject to change):
2 lifts operating
Quad lift is closed
Planned closing date:
Sunday 6th April 2025
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Night skiing
Floodlit 'night' skiing finished for the 2024-2025 season on Sunday 23rd March
Niseko Now 2024-2025 season |
Data as of Friday 28th March 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 773cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 92 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (6th February) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 311cm reported on 28 days January 2025 snowfall 161cm reported on 19 days February 2025 snowfall 196cm reported on 24 days March 2025 snowfall 67cm reported on 13 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.