Niseko Now: Monday 31st December 2018
- Dec 31, 2018
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 4, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 11cm
Snowfall at base this season 417cm
Posted on Monday 31st December 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
So here we are on the last day of 2018 and a further 11cm of fresh snowfall to add to my report - I suspect there will be considerably more than that up on the mountain today. Some lifts were closed yesterday due to the blizzardy weather conditions but things look much calmer this morning.
What a lovely morning to end the year. The sun is out and there are blue skies with just a few small clouds hanging around here and there. There are lots of people lining up to get the first lift of the day... come on, give us a wave! I predict that you are going to have a very good day.
As this is the last report of 2018, I see that my total observed snowfall for the month is 333cm and the total observed snowfall for the season so far is 417cm. I'll be sitting down with some toast and coffee over the next few days and will post my thoughts and in-depth scientific expert analysis on the season so far in a report later this week. ;)
There will be all sorts of events going on today and tonight to celebrate the new year. Don't forget, the bars all close at 9:30pm tonight.
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(I'm just kidding!!)
Look out for some 'torchlight skiing' at 11:30pm - close to the King Number 1 pair lift at Hirafu. You can maybe practice counting down numbers in Japanese. Or, I wonder if they do it in English? I have not been to that for a while! Answers on a postcard please. Anyway, fireworks at 20 past midnight. Similar events are happening at Niseko Annupuri (fireworks and torchlit skiing) and Niseko Village (fireworks) - if you are here, please ask your accommodation folks and they will surely give you the details.
For those without a screaming headache tomorrow morning, how about getting the Gondola at Niseko Annupuri at 7:20am? It's open from then until 8:20am - a special lift ticket costing 1,500 yen is necessary to use that service. The Niseko Gondola (at Niseko Village) will also be running on 1st January from 6:30am - that costs 1,400 yen for adults and 1,000 yen for children.
I hope you all have a good day today and I will see you on the other side.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -3.5℃, 40cm snowfall in 24 hours, 5cm in the last 12 hours. Moiwa800m: -6℃, good visibility, 60cm of wind-affected snow and 180cm cornices have developed in the past 24hours. Notable snowdrifts developments are present in Mikaeri. Visibility is good. 170cm snow depth at Annupuri1120m. Niseko Village1000m: -8.61℃, light breeze, clear sky, 16cm snowfall in 24hours. Hirafu peak1250m: -7℃, light wind, good visibility, 100cm snowdrifts in 24hours. Coastal data Benkei cape: N9m/s, Kamui cape: E2m/s, 1027hPa, 3.1m waves. Kutchan Weather Station: snow depth 120cm.
The isobars are spreading out, warm air is flowing into the sea of Japan and mountain weather is calm. The past storm have left very large development of snowdrifts and cornices, up to 100cm thickness in some places. The snow at 800m elevation is starting to stabilize, however 80cm slab avalanches are still likely to occur. Prominent weak layer is Dec 30th depth hoar layer. The avalanche hazard level is still high in 900m south facing slopes, 1000m O-sawa & Backbowl cornice slopes.
Better not drop into steep faces carelessly. Collapsing large cornices’ weight is equivalent to a fully-loaded bus. The snow in the tree runs are amazing, however creeks are yet to be buried. Beware of holes. Listen to the ski patrol’s instructions at the gates and be prepared for the backcountry. Prudency is key to live and enjoy another day. Have a great day.
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Ski resort operation information: Monday 31st December 2018
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report. Subject to change!
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 260cm
- Base: 115cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart from Ace Number 4 pair lift are normally operating
- The Ace Family quad (until 8:30pm), Ace Center 4 quad (8:20pm), Hirafu Gondola (until 8:10pm) and Holiday Number 1 pair (until 8:30pm) lifts are normally open during the evening
- The Center Four lift will be open early between 7th-31st January 2019 (more details soon - when I can find them!)
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 195cm
- Base: 137cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All Hanazono lifts are normally operating
- The Hanazono lifts are normally open until 3:30pm
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono Courses:
- All official courses are now available
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 220cm
- Base: 110cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All Annupuri lifts are normally operating
- The Jumbo 1 lift is normally open until 8:30pm during the evening
- Annupuri First run from 7:20am until 8:20am on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 12th, 13th, 14th January. (1,500 yen charge)
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 230cm
- Base: 130cm
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart from the Country Road Chair are normally operating
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are normally open until 8:00pm during the evening
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Monday 31st December 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 417cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 34 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (29th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 333cm reported on 26 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.