Niseko Now: Sunday 2nd March 2025
- Mar 2, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 707cm
Posted on Sunday 2nd March 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
We have a slight layer of snow out there this morning. Generally cloudy conditions but maybe some hints of brighter skies and slight blue in places.
After a few days of warmer conditions, it's not enough to reset conditions, of course, but all snow is always welcome. And we are still due to get more over the coming week at times.
For those not here and wanting a good visual to get an idea of snowfall, I recommend keeping an eye on the roof of the Niseko Village gondola building webcam. It's usually the second image that I post in each report (see below). You can often get a fair idea of how much has fallen. Today is a case in point.
OK, so I'm going to go and smash up some coffee beans now, get some more toast going, and finish up my monthly recap. Which I will post tomorrow.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa Mountain base -1℃, light snowfall, light winds. Moiwa 800m: -3.4℃, NNW6.7m/s, trace of new snow, minor snowdrift development. Mikaeri 750m: -4℃, NNW2.0m/s, good visibility. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -5.1℃, NE3.0m/s, yesterday the top lift closed at noon due to strong winds. Coastal data: Benkei Cape N8m/s, Kamui Cape NNE5m/s, 1014hPa, wave 0.6m.
The isobars were tightly spaced bringing strong West winds until dawn when light snow started falling. The wind was hitting Kozan no Sawa (backbowl) making it unsuitable for skiing. Be careful of “magic carpet” avalanches. The cracks on the SE side of the West ridge around 1000m are expanding. Take care, they cannot be seen from above. Full-depth avalanches will not occur immediately, but it is better to be cautious. Due to the large amount of snow in Niseko, full-depth avalanches can occur even in mid-winter because the ground is covered with bamboo grass. When traversing or skiing, keep an appropriate distance between each other. To avoid danger, stay away from open slopes and valley bottoms. Avalanches are a natural phenomenon, accidents will not occur if there are no people around. The gates are expected to open when the wind drops. Please follow the patrols instructions. Based on morning observations and data, the risk of surface avalanches is low. Wishful thinking, assumptions, and overconfidence can sometimes lead to poor judgment. Always act with caution. It is strongly recommended that anyone going outside the gates carry a beacon. Having one will increase the chances of saving your life and the lives of your friends. Beware of sudden changes in weather. There is no safety in this sport that involves nature. Have a good day.
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Individual ski area information for Sunday 2nd 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: 2cm
Base: 1cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 290cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 216cm (+1cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
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: 0cm
Base: 2cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 340cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 125cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
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: 235cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 195cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
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 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 3cm
Base: 3cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 270cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 180cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
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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 Sunday 2nd March 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 707cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 80 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 1cm reported on 1 day |
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.