Niseko Now: Friday 31st January 2025
- Jan 31, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 13cm
Snowfall at base this season 510cm
Posted on Friday 31st January 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I am very happy to be able to report more fresh snow this morning. Not massive numbers, for sure, but jolly nice quality. Hirafu is reporting up to 15cm and Hanazono is reporting up to 18cm.
Even at 8am there is a rather long line of people waiting for the first Hirafu gondola. I hope they brought some toast supplies for the wait.
The fresh snow will undoubtedly be excite for many. Remember to take care out there, everyone.
So, a thankfully much improved end to January. May February be a great one.
By the way, the Hanazono lift started up around mid-morning yesterday and now seems to be back to normal, which is also good to see.
I'm going to post my 'up until the end of January' recap thingy on Monday. (I need time to think and write it up).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -5℃, 15cm snowfall. Moiwa 800m: -6.7℃, NNW10.7m/s, large development of cornice and snowdrift slabs. Mikaeri 750m: -7.0℃, NW2.3m/s, 20cm snowfall. Annupuri 1100m: -9.1℃, WNW6.7m/s, large cornice development. Hirafu Hanazono: -9.3℃, NNW7.4m/s, 15cm snowfall. Coastal data: Benkei cape NNW13m/s, Kamui cape NW11m/s, 1013hPa, 1.9m waves.
Winter pressure distribution persists and the wind has been blowing around 10m/s on average, making slabs and cornices grow in SE aspects relatively quickly but slow enough to remain stable. The wind peaked around 18m/s at 10pm last night. The slab’s growth and stability is determined by the wind. The overall avalanche risk is low expect in the Backbowl sidewalls, Osawa cornice slopes and strictly off-limits areas such as Haru no taki. All gates are scheduled to open. Please follow the ski patrol’s instructions. Overhead blower conditions can be found in some areas. Beware of trees, they’re stronger than you. Do not stay at the bottom of the gullies, avalanches run through the gully line. Avoid simultaneous riding and traversing. There are many people below you, please be considerate of others. Is your avy transceiver switched on? Have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Friday 31st January 2025
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: 18cm
Base: 18cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 241cm (+31cm change since Wednesday)
Base: 187cm (+27 change since Wednesday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are 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: 15cm
Base: 15cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 270cm (+15cm change since yesterday)
Base: 115cm (+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: 175cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 135cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled 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: 200cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are 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 scheduled lifts are 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 Friday 31st January 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 510cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 55 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 23cm (16th December) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 311cm reported on 28 days January 2025 snowfall 161cm reported on 19 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.