Niseko Now: Wednesday 31st January 2024
- Jan 31, 2024
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 665cm
Posted on Wednesday 31st January 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
No cm of fresh snow to report, I'm afraid, so the numbers for the month are in. I'll be posting my recap and lots of other words tomorrow.
Fresh snowfall (and colder temps) is due to start up again before we click into February, so hopefully I will have some to report tomorrow morning.
The day started with overcast kind of skies and a mild feel going on, but as we approach midday it is snowing lightly...
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base 6am: -7C, no snowfall. Moiwa 800m: -8C, NNW4.5m/s, no snowfall, calm. Mikaeri 764m: no data: Annupuri 1100m: -10.7C, N1.8m/s. Hirafu Hanazono: -10.6C, NNE4.0m/s. Hanazono#3: -7.3C, NNW1.1m/s. Coastal data: Benkei cape S2m/s, Kamui cape WSW5m/s, 1026hPa, 0.8m waves.
The atmospheric pressure gradient is flat and the weather is calm. New snowdrifts accumulation is small, and the general avalanche risk is low. However, possibilities of slides from snowpack above Jan 24th are present. Jan 24th layer remains as a notable weak layer in the current snowpack. Caution is required in the Backbowl sidewalls, Chisenupuri and Naganuma area. Sun affected slabs are present in the strictly off-limits Haru no Taki area and could result in a large-scale avalanche. Do not enter off-limits areas for any reasons. Peak gates are scheduled to open, however access to Goshiki from Gate 6 Mikaeri area is prohibited. Please follow the ski patrol’s instructions. A low pressure is approaching and snow will start to fall soon. Pay attention to the weather transition. Keep a safe distance when traversing across large valleys, and stay away from the bottom. Winter sports are inherently dangerous. HAve a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Wednesday 31st January 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 and subject to change.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 300cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 110cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts apart from King Number 1 pair and King Number 2 quad (normal operations)
- The Ace Family quad, Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four), Hirafu Gondola and Holiday Number 1 pair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 235cm (? since yesterday)
- Base: 178cm (? since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
- The Hanazono Symphony Gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 210cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 180cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
- The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 240cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 160cm (-3cm since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts apart from Country Road
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
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Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Wednesday 20th March 2024.
Night skiing is usually until 7:00pm at Hirafu, Hanazono, Village and until 7:30pm at Annupuri.
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Wednesday 31st January 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 665cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 59 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 62cm (8th January) November 2023 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 days December 2023 snowfall 247cm reported on 24 days January 2024 snowfall 298cm reported on 24 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.