Niseko Now: Saturday 30th April 2016
- Apr 30, 2016
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 2, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 989cm
Posted on Saturday 30th April 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Hello from Niseko and guess what... there's a bit of snow on the top of my car this morning.
Hurray!
Just a thin layer but there's enough to add a little to the season snowfall tally which ends April - and very probably the season - on 992cm.
Niseko Grand Hirafu have actually added 5cm to their upper area snow depth this morning so you know where to head.
There is quite a lot of cloud still hanging around but a bit of blue sky as well. It's chilly too, so don't go out without an extra layer this morning. Tomorrow will very probably be warmer and then Monday and Tuesday warmer still - though it still won't be getting much over 15 degrees here at base.
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It's....'Golden Week'.
* Friday 29th April - Sunday 1st May (3 day long weekend)
* Tuesday 3rd May - Thursday 5th May (3 day holiday mid-week)
* Saturday 7th May - Sunday 8th May (normal weekend)
Monday and Friday next week are 'normal weekdays'.
Thursday 5th May is scheduled to be the last day of the official snow season here in Niseko.
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Resort specific lift opening news at time of posting:
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Looks like lifts might be delayed opening. Official reason - de-icing!
Niseko Annupuri
The Gondola and Jumbo Number 4 look set to start the day on hold. Looks like strong winds up there.
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Official resort snow depths as of Saturday 30th April 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Top - 255cm
Base - 0cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 230cm
Base - 10cm
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Resort operations - subject to change due to snow and weather conditions
Niseko Grand Hirafu resort area lift operations:
Ace Number 2 Center Four Quad (* this lift now used to get to and from the open courses - you can no longer ride back to base)
Ace Number 3 Pair
Ace Number 4 Pair
The resort is 'upgrading' the King Number 3 triple lift in time for next season. As part of that work the Hirafu Gondola, King Number 3 and 4 lifts have all now closed for this season. Niseko Grand Hirafu plans to remain open until Thursday 5th May.
Courses open - Large, Center, Shirakaba (Spring Park)
Niseko Annupuri plans to be open until Thursday 5th May with the Gondola, Jumbo 1 and Jumbo 4 lifts operating.
Niseko Village plans to be open for Golden Week until Thursday 5th May. The Gondola can be used as a way of getting to Niseko Grand Hirafu and for sightseeing. None of the courses at Niseko Village are open.
Niseko Hanazono has now closed for the season.
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Saturday 30th April 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 989cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 86 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (17th February) November 2015 snowfall 61cm reported on 4 days December 2015 snowfall 244cm reported on 17 days January 2016 snowfall 303cm reported on 26 days February 2016 snowfall 266cm reported on 22 days March 2016 snowfall 109cm reported on 14 days April 2016 snowfall 6cm reported on 3 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.