Niseko Now: Thursday 2nd January 2025
- Jan 2, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 21cm
Snowfall at base this season 375cm
Posted on Thursday 2nd January 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I love it when I can report over 20cm of snowfall. Like today. And great to see talk of 30-40cm on mountain too.
There should be some very fine conditions out there this morning, and a lot of people are out and about early on waiting for those first lifts.
We have had some bright periods this morning, but the snow clouds are around and it is currently snowing in places with snowfall due today, tomorrow and Saturday. And maybe some more spells of brighter weather too.
For now, though, varied visibility conditions out there early morning.
The Hanazono gondola seems delayed at the start of the morning.
Let it be noted that once again this morning Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri are reporting 0cm of new snowfall on the official Niseko United site. That is clearly incorrect. Seriously, how difficult can it be to update that data in a morning? (Amusingly, Village have increased their base snow depth by 15cm since yesterday).
Traditionally, fewer people visit the site and read reports on New Years Day. If you are one of those naughty people, you can read the monthly recap I posted yesterday here.
One thing I intended to mention in my recap, but didn't: I feel that I haven't had to talk about strong winds affecting lift operations much this season so far. That is very good. Long may it continue.
(9:00am update: some upper lifts appear to be affected by wind this morning. Doh!)
------------------------------------
Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -6℃, 20cm snowfall. Moiwa800m: -9.3℃, NW8.8m/s (15m/s @ 4am), 30cm snowfall with soft slabs formation. Annupuri 1100m: -11.7℃, WNW8.8m/s (20m/s @ 5am). Hirafu Hanazono 10000m: -11.4℃, NNE4.4m/s (15m/s @ 4am), 30cm snowfall with soft slabs. Mikaeri 750m: -8℃, NNW2.8m/s, 40cm soft slabs. Coastal data: Benkei cape NNW15m/s, Kamui cape W9m/s, 1014hPa, 1.3m waves.
A winter pressure distribution with relatively wide isobars separation have brought 30-40cm fresh snow forming soft slabs above 800m elevation. Looking at test results, there are no notable features in the snowpack around 800-1000m elevation and the avalanche risk is relatively low. However, there is unevenness under the newly formed slabs due to yesterday’s temperature rise and avalanches should still be expected especially in leeward slopes above 1100m. The mountain has been blanketed with good snow as a new year’s gift. Do not stay put under a slope, do not cut across knolls or under cornices. Many people are under you. All gates are scheduled to open. Listen carefully to the ski patrol’s advice. Don’t duck ropes!! Have a nice day.
------------------------------------
Individual ski area information for Thursday 2nd 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: 35cm
Base: 32cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 230cm (+25cm change since yesterday)
Base: 190cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are scheduled to be operating
The gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 35cm
Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 265cm (+25cm change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (+15cm 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
------------------
Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 155cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 115cm (+15cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are operating
The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 170cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 120cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are scheduled to be operating
The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
------------------
Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
All lifts are scheduled to be operating
------------------------------------
Night skiing
Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Wednesday 23rd March 2025.
Niseko Now 2024-2025 season |
Data as of Thursday 2nd January 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 375cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 38 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 26cm 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.