Niseko Now: Thursday 2nd February 2023
- Feb 2, 2023
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 17cm
Snowfall at base this season 708cm
Posted on Thursday 2nd February 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I do have some more fine snow to report to you this morning but, alas, wind is going to be a major topic today. The windy conditions we are experiencing at the moment are going to be affecting what is open today.
Here's lifts affected and not moving at the start of the day:
- Hanazono lifts closed (but the Gondola is open)
- Niseko Village gondola
- Niseko Annupuri gondola and top lifts
- All top lifts closed
The lift situation may change, of course, but wind is forecast for the day.
All the gates will be closed as well.
It is one of those days when we can expect stashes of snow courtesy of the wind and some varying snowfall numbers. (Perhaps that's why Niseko Village are reporting 0cm today. Oh, I am being naughty! I jest with affection).
There will be much fun to be had if you want to brave the conditions this morning, but take extra care out there and take note of the avalanche report.
Further snowfall is forecast on and off through into next week.
Monthly review/recap thingy coming tomorrow.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Max 25-30m/s gusts were recorded at various observation points and a large amount of new snow has fallen. Snowdrift development is significant in both mountain base and on the slopes. The snow is heavy and wind affected, and can instantly collapse with deep fracture by stimulation. Avalanche risk is extremely high on the slopes above 700m elevation, knolls and cornice slopes that drop into the tree lines. The isobars have moved slightly further apart and the wind on the seas has dropped, but the wind and snow continues on the mountain until the afternoon.
All the peak gates will be closed. Do not duck ropes to go into gullies even if the chair lifts are open. The condition is the same in the surrounding mountains. There’s an avalanche risk even in the tree runs below 800m elevation considering the snowfall transition. Better be cautious riding there today. This information is issued for all resort users to prevent accidents in Niseko area. It’s better to take it easy today. Most accidents occur during or right after the heavy storm.
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Ski area information for Thursday 2nd February 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, weather permitting.
Official snow depth numbers in brackets show the change since previous report.
*** WIND AFFECTING SOME LIFTS AT THE START OF THE DAY TODAY ***
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: 345cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 150cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Ace Family quad [* open until for 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four) [* open until for 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- King Number 3 quad
- King Number 4
- Swinging Monkey
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 13cm
- Base: 15cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 275cm (+5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 220cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
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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: 220cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 170cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad [* open until 7:30pm for night skiing]
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair [* normally open on weekends and holidays]
- Jumbo Number 4 pair
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 200cm (+5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 180cm (+5cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Niseko Gondola
- Upper Village Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Banzai Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Wonderland Chair
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
- Number 1 pair lift
- Number 2 pair lift
- Quad lift
Niseko Now 2022-2023 season |
Data as of Thursday 2nd February 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 708cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 61 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (27th and 28th January) November 2022 snowfall 17cm reported on 5 days December 2022 snowfall 336cm reported on 27 days January 2023 snowfall 332cm reported on 27 days February 2023 snowfall 23cm reported on 2 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.