Niseko Now: Monday 30th December 2024
- Dec 30, 2024
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 9cm
Snowfall at base this season 345cm
Posted on Monday 30th December 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I am happy to report that it is snowing rather nicely at the moment, and I have another 9cm to add since yesterday. There doesn't seem to be much of a wind, too, so while visibility might be limited in some places, should be fun conditions out there. We might get a bit of blue sky and sun today at times.
Forecasts seem to be predicting regular and consistent snowfall across the coming week. Perhaps not huge amounts, but regular top-ups all the same.
Every ski lift on the mountain is moving this morning, even that lazy Country Road one! All peak gates should be open too.
I knew we'd get there some day. All very good to see.
I'm going to start to look back at the season so far and compare some data which should be interesting. I'll post my monthly review on Wednesday.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -6℃, 5cm new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: -10.2℃, NW9.1m/s(20m/s ` midnight), major cornice and slab development, increasing snow depth. Mikaeri 750m: -9℃, WNW3.4m/s, 320cm snow depth, unstable knolls. Annupuri 1100m: -13.1℃, WNW7.9m/s(23m/s @ midnight), major slab development and snow depth increase. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -12.8℃, ESE2.7m/s, East ridge snow depth is increasing and knolls will easily fracture. Coastal data: Benkei cape NNW10m/s, Kamui cape W9m/s, 1019kPa, wave 1.6m.
Today, all peak gates will be opened. Please follow the patrols instructions and listen to the patrol's advice before passing through the gates. Based on the morning tests, data evaluation and snowfall transition, slabs are starting to stabilize, but due to the large amount of snow, the avalanche risk is still very high on Annupuri Osawa side wall and Kozan no Sawa(Backbowl) side wall at 1100m. Similarly, on HigashiOne(east ridge) the cornice and wind-driven snow slabs around knolls are also likely to fracture from rider stimulation. Do not be tempted by internet videos to get on these slopes without caution. Although the gates are open, it does not mean that the mountain is safe. Avalanches that occur in places with large elevation differences are large and fast. I repeat, the avalanche risk is high in the valleys above 1000m. Please act with common sense. Do not cut knolls, there will be many people in the valley below you. Also, do not be in the bottom of the valley below, you might get taken out by an avalanche started way above you by an unknown person. Niseko respects your freedom to ride off-course by opening and closing the gates, but we are always concerned about your safety. Avalanches are a natural phenomenon, but accidents happen when people are involved. There is no safety in this sport. Even if the cause of an accident is known, the dead will not come back. Is your beacon on? Have a good day.
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Individual ski area information for Monday 30th December 2024
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: 25cm
Base: 25cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 220cm (+8cm change since yesterday)
Base: 185cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are scheduled to be operating
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: 20cm
Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 245cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 130cm (+5cm 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: 150cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 100cm (no 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
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 170cm (-10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 120cm (-10cm 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
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
All lifts are scheduled to be 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 Monday 30th December 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 345cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 35 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 23cm (16th December) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 307cm reported on 27 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.