Niseko Now: Saturday 31st December 2022
- Dec 31, 2022
- 5 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 11cm
Snowfall at base this season 353cm
Posted on Saturday 31st December 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It was snowing on and off yesterday and even quite heavily in some moments, certainly over in Hanazono, where I spent a few hours. It was busy, too.
In the end, I have another 11cm to add to the report today. That takes my total observed snowfall for the season so far - at base - to 353cm. I will look at the snowfall numbers and reflect on the season in an upcoming report. There is certainly a lot to reflect on this year, and I have some thoughts I would like to share.
Some of the gates aside, most of the mountain (and connections between areas) is open on this last day of the year.
Niseko Annupuri still has their Panorama, Marchen and Fukayukirinkan (Deep Snow Forest) courses closed. But as a very nice present from them, they are offering free night skiing from 7:30pm until 11:00pm tonight. (I'm not hearing of other ski areas being similarly generous).
We can expect various fireworks and other celebrations, of course.
That's it for me this year. Wherever you are in the world, I hope you have a safe New Year's Eve.
I'll see you in 2023. Looks like the first week of the new year is going to be snowy... just how like it!
---------------
Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -6℃, 5cm new snow, light winds, good visibility, calm. Moiwa 800m: -6.8℃, WSW2.6m/s, 10cm new snow, minor snowdrift development, good visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -9.4℃, WSW5.3m/s, good visibility. Mizuno no Sawa 1000m: -8.4℃, W1.8m/s. Hanazono 1000m: -9.1℃, ESE0.0m/s. Mountain Peak: -10℃, light winds, good visibility, 10cm new snow, snowdrift development. Coastal Data Cape Benkei: NW10m/s. Cape Kamui: SW12m/s, pressure 1019hPa, waves 1.1m,
Isobars are spread moderately apart and there has only been minor snowfall and snowdrift development on the mountain. From observation and data the general avalanche risk is low. As the snow depth is increasing, slope preparation off the top lifts is progressing. Groomer condition is absolutely gorgeous. Only a little snow fell overnight, slopes are not reset but it's easy riding. Watch your speed and hitting a tree. Be careful. Don't duck ropes looking for fresh snow. One set of tracks can cause lots of other people to follow, increasing the chance of an accident. Gates 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are not open yet, the lack of snow makes rescue operations difficult. Gates 6 and 10 have limited openings, but there is insufficient snow to ride out the bottom. Cut out early, don't descend too deeply. Niseko respects the freedom to ride out of bounds, but is always concerned about your safety. Happy New Year's Eve.
---------------
Ski area information for Saturday 31st December 2022
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.
Official snow depth numbers in brackets show the change since previous report.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 20cm
- Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 255cm (+5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 100cm (+5cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Ace Family quad [* open until for 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four) [* open until for 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- King Number 3 quad
- King Number 4
- Swinging Monkey
- 8 of 12 lifts operating (weather permitting)
Courses:
- All courses are now open except Large and Dynamic
-------
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 13cm
- Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 186cm (-5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 153cm (+5cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- 4 of 4 lifts operating (weather permitting)
-------
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 120cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 100cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad [* open until 7:30pm for night skiing] Special late opening tonight
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair
- Jumbo Number 4 pair
- 6 of 6 lifts operating (weather permitting)
-------
Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 120cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 110cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Niseko Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Banzai Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Wonderland Chair
- 5 of 7 lifts operating (weather permitting)
-------
Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
- Number 1 pair lift
- Number 2 pair lift
- Quad lift
- 3 of 3 lifts operating (weather permitting)
Niseko Now 2022-2023 season |
Data as of Saturday 31st December 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 353cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 32 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 21cm (17th December) November 2022 snowfall 17cm reported on 5 days December 2022 snowfall 336cm 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.