Niseko Now: Wednesday 29th January 2025
- Jan 29, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 490cm
Posted on Wednesday 29th January 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Happy Chinese New Year!
To celebrate, we do have some fresh snow this morning.
At last.
Just a bit, though. I have measured just under 3cm. Hirafu is reporting 3cm and Hanazono is reporting 5cm. More snow is promised during the day today and across the next few days. I eagerly await.
The skiing day starts, however, with largely clear skies, blue sky and sunshine. It is another beautiful early morning.
The main Number 1 lift at Hanazono had issues yesterday afternoon, causing problems for anyone wanting to head up top from the base area. A line quickly formed of people waiting to shuttle out to other base areas (or just finishing up for the day). I don't know exactly when the problem started or what the problem was - they did not seem to announce anything. This morning they have announced that the lift will not be opening as planned this morning. Let's hope that they can quickly fix up whatever the problem might be.
Some of you will remember the jolly exciting Louis Vuitton Niseko Winter Resort Pop-up Store from last season, catering for all your posh bags and other expensive accessory needs on your way to and from the ski lifts at Hanazono.
Last month, another small building was being prepared in the same spot near the base lifts at Hanazono, and I later forgot to tell you what it was. At one point, we thought it might be a giant Super Mario warp pipe, but unfortunately, it is not. (That would have been cool).
Instead, it is the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet Pop-Up Store & Bar. I learned yesterday that this snappily-named facility will, apparently, only be open until 31st January. So only for a few more days (12:00pm until 9:00pm, with alcohol served from 3:00pm).
According to the associated marketing blurb:
"Johnnie Walker Blue Label has collaborated with luxury ski wear brand, Perfect Moment, to craft this season's must-have aprés-ski accessory. Fusing technical excellence with a contemporary, fashion-led design, Perfect Moment pushes boundaries and transforms traditional whisky packaging into a stylish bag, which becomes a crossbody accessory once the bottle is removed."
So, they are talking about a bag. For a bottle of whisky. One that 'pushes boundaries'.
This may all make perfect sense to some people, but I admit to being perplexed by the whole thing.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -2℃, 2cm new snow, mild storm. Moiwa 800m: -6℃, NE4.9m/s, the wind picked up after 4am. Mikaeri 750m: -8.0℃, N1.0m/s, poor visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -7.8℃, NNE4.0m/s, drifting snow over 1000m elevation, trace new snow. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -7.4℃, NNW5.5m/s, trace new snow, weak drifting snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NNE5m/s, Kamui Cape ESE3m/s, 1001hPa, wave 1.5m.
Relieved to see some new snow for the first time in a while. General avalanche risk will increase through tomorrow as NNE wind and snow strengthen from mid day. Slabs (snowdrifts) developing during storms are unstable and easily break and cause avalanches. Today’s avalanche risk is relatively low, however it will increase tomorrow. Gates opening is yet to be decided due to the strong NE wind over 1000m elevation. Please listen to the patrols’ instructions. NIED (National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience) is conducting an avalanche experiment at Mizuno no Sawa with ski patrol’s help. Please stay away from the experiment as it is dangerous. Groomers are slightly easier to ski today thanks to some new snow. Sunlight is weak and the slope undulations are hard to see. Beware of speeding and collision. Have a good day.
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Individual ski area information for Wednesday 29th 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: 5cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 210cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 160cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
The Hanazono Number 1 lift will is not opening as planned this morning
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: 3cm
Base: 3cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 250cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 105cm (no 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: 175cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 135cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled 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 Wednesday 29th January 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 490cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 53 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 141cm reported on 17 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.