Niseko Now: Friday 29th December 2023
- Dec 29, 2023
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 359cm
Posted on Friday 29th December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I can just about justify the 1cm in the report today, just a little snowfall yesterday.
Early morning there is cloud but there is also blue sky and a bit of sun in places, too. It does feel like we might get to enjoy sunshine today (and various forecasts tell us to expect that, to varying degrees).
Occasional light snow possible over the next few days, but as I said yesterday, we probably can't expect much.
Still, many other regions of Japan appear to be really struggling for snowfall at the moment, so we perhaps shouldn't feel badly done to.
And, if you read the report below, you'll find some exciting news! (Gate action?!)
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6am : -6°, no new snow over last 12hrs, calm, good visibility. Moiwa 800m: -9.2°, NNW5.0m/s, no new snow. Mikaeri 764m: -9°, snow depth 210cm. Hanazono 1000m: -9.9°, NNE4.5m/s. Hanazono 3 : -7.0°, NNW2.2m/s, trace new snow, good visibility. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:N6m/s. Kamui Cape: WSW4m/s, 1022hPa, wave 0.7m.
We are under a high pressure system with a shallow pressure gradient and the seas and mountains are calm. Snowdrift development has slowed, based on observation and data the general avalanche risk is low. The groomers are in good condition, visibility is also good. Moiwa gate No. 6 and Village no.11 will open today. No. 6 from 9:30 to 12 noon, however gate No. 11 hours are yet to be set. Please prepare and follow the patrol's instructions before heading out the gates. The bushes are still thick lower down, so start traversing early, around 500m, to return to the lifts. We recommend carrying climbing skins or snow shoes. Be careful not to fall into creeks, the water is cold.
Niseko allows out of bounds skiing. However you must go out of bounds through a gate and if the gates are closed do not exit. The mountains are an uncontrolled environment and your wits are constantly being tested. Be careful. Lets hope for no accidents as any rescue efforts will be difficult. Although helmets and beacons are not compulsory, they are strongly recommended. Is your beacon on? Have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Friday 29th December 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 at the time of writing and subject to change.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 205cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 85cm (-5cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Ace Family quad (until 7:00pm)
- Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four) (until 7:00pm)
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Hirafu Gondola (until 7:00pm)
- Holiday Number 1 pair (until 7:00pm)
- King Number 3 quad
- Swinging Monkey
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 2cm
- Base: 5cm (same as yesterday? possibly not updated? dunno)
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 150cm (-5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 105cm (-7cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola (until 7:00pm)
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 140cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 110cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad (until 7:30pm)
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 155cm
- Base: 105cm
Lifts:
- Niseko Gondola
- Upper Village Gondola (until 7:00pm)
- Village Express (until 7:00pm)
- Community Chair
- Banzai Chair (until 7:00pm)
- Morino Chair
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
- Number 1 pair
- Number 2 pair
- Quad
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Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Wednesday 20th March 2024.
Night skiing is usually until 7:00pm at Hirafu, Hanazono, Village and until 7:30pm at Annupuri.
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Friday 29th December 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 359cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 33 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 31cm (18th December) November 2023 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 days December 2023 snowfall 239cm reported on 22 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.