Niseko Now: Monday 31st January 2022
- Jan 31, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 11cm
Snowfall at base this season 717cm
Posted on Monday 31st January 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It's the last day of January and for this report I have 11cm of snow to report since yesterday morning, bringing the total for the month up to 325cm and the total observed snowfall (by me) for the season so far to 717cm. I'll write up more about in the next few days.
Weekend visitors will have been disappointed with the top lifts yesterday but they should be open this morning and early folk will be able to enjoy some lovely weather too. There's lots of beautiful blue sky and sunshine this morning! It might not last long so for those able to, it's a good idea to enjoy it while we can. It's cold, so be sure to wrap up well.
More consistent snowfall is forecast from Wednesday onwards so we are going to have a good start to February.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -13℃, 20cm snowfall and calm. Moiwa800m: -14℃, W10m/s (15m/s gusts), daily observations not possible due to snow-cat failure. Annupuri1150m: -17℃, strong westerly wind, 40cm snowfall with snowdrift developments. Cornices are breaking with a slight stimulation. Hirafu peak: -19℃, strong westerly wind, 40cm snowfall with large development of snowdrifts. Coastal data Benkei cape: NNW14m/s, Kamui cape: WNW7m/s, 1010hPa, 1.5m waves.
The Niseko Avalanche Information is written based on daily observations and study of snowdrifts and cornices development and other weather data including the coastal data. Considering that the past avalanche accidents occurred during and just after storms, we evaluate the hazards by observing the formation and transition of snowdrifts, as the cause of avalanches is directly related to the development of snowdrift slabs on a slope. Raw observations messages from patrollers and snow-cat operators are indispensable for the making of this information. The wind is starting to calm down on the coast, however still blowing strong above 800m elevation, making cornices and snowdrifts grow in the leeward slopes. The avalanche risk remains high in the Backbow sidewalls, O-sawa cornice slope, Mikaeri bowl’s 30° slopes. Most gates are scheduled to open, please seek the ski patrol’s advice before going out. Better not be overconfident on knowledge and equipment, prudence is key to stay safe. There will never be 100% safety in this sport. The snow in the tree runs is good again today. Beware of hypothermia and frostbites. Have you switched your beacon ON?
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Planned ski area operations: Monday 31st January 2022
The below snow depth and snowfall data is manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day (nature might intervene).
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 370cm (no change)
- Base: 200cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 15cm
- Base: 15cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Ace Family quad
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
- Hirafu Gondola
- King Number 3 quad
- King Number 4
- Swinging Monkey
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 320cm (no change)
- Base: 250cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 20cm
- Base: 25cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 250cm (no change)
- Base: 185cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad [* open for night skiing until 7:30pm]
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair
- Jumbo Number 4 pair
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Niseko Village
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Niseko Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
- Banzai Chair
- Wonderland Chair
Niseko Now 2021-2022 season |
Data as of Monday 31st January 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 717cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 59 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (23rd December) November 2021 snowfall 85cm reported on 6 days December 2021 snowfall 307cm reported on 23 days January 2022 snowfall 325cm reported on 30 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.