Niseko Now: Sunday 3rd April 2016
- Apr 3, 2016
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 2, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 983cm
Posted on Sunday 3rd April 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
Actually, it's not a very good morning at all. It's raining, and quite heavily just at the moment as I write this. Yuck.
I am hearing some people saying it might be (very wet) sleet up top, but honestly I'm really not sure I'd want to venture up there this morning! Right now strong winds and poor visibility are preventing the top lifts from opening.
As today is the last day of the season for Hanazono and Niseko Village (well, until they plan to reopen for Golden Week), it would be a shame if we didn't get most of the day in over in those areas.
Lasuto chansu!
The good news is that hopefully it will soon be easing off to leave us with a mostly cloudy day, with a high temperature of around 9 degrees here at base.
There should be a fair bit of sun from tomorrow.
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Resort specific lift opening news at time of posting (subject to change during the day):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
The top Ace Number 4 and King Number 4 lifts as well as the King Number 3, Ace Number 3 and Swinging Monkey lifts are on hold at the start of the day due to poor visibility.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Hanazono lifts haven't yet opened at time of writing...
Niseko Village
The top Wonderland lift is on hold at the start of the day.
Niseko Annupuri
The top Jumbo Number 4 lift is on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds and poor visibility.
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Official resort snow depths as of Sunday 3rd April 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 335cm
Base - 90cm
Niseko Village
Top - 330cm
Base - 105cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 340cm
Base - 100cm
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Niseko Grand Hirafu resort area lift operations from Monday 4th April:
Ace Family Pair (8:30am-4:30pm) - until 10th April
Ace Number 2 Center Four Quad (8:30am-4:30pm)
Ace Number 3 Pair (8:40am-4:30pm)
Ace Number 4 Pair (8:50am-4:30pm)
Holiday Number 1 Pair (8:30am-4:30pm) - until 10th April
Niseko Grand Hirafu are also going to be 'upgrading' the King Number 3 triple lift in time for next season. The Hirafu Gondola as well as the King Number 3 and 4 lifts will all finish for the season this coming Sunday, as well as the Hanazono area. All being well though, the Niseko Grand Hirafu area should be open until 5th May.
Niseko Village plans to be open daily until Sunday 3rd April, and then from 29th April until 5th May. Morino Chair currently rested.
Niseko Annupuri plans to be open until Thursday 5th May.
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Sunday 3rd April 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 983cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 83 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (17th February) November 2015 snowfall 61cm reported on 4 days December 2015 snowfall 244cm reported on 17 days January 2016 snowfall 303cm reported on 26 days February 2016 snowfall 266cm reported on 22 days March 2016 snowfall 109cm reported on 14 days April 2016 snowfall 0cm |
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.