Niseko Now: Friday 3rd February 2023
- Feb 3, 2023
- 7 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 14cm
Snowfall at base this season 722cm
Posted on Friday 3rd February 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
After a windy day yesterday and some lift disruption, today should be somewhat calmer (though not calm - might still be windy up there).
There is another layer of snow to report. I measured 14cm and both Hirafu and Hanazono are reporting up to 25cm on the mountain.
I need to post my report before opening time this morning, but I imagine lifts will be opening as scheduled. Visibility currently looks rather limited out there...
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A look back at the season so far: until the end of January 2023
As always, I will begin with my observed snowfall numbers. Remember, these numbers are observed by me, observed close to the base of Hirafu.
This season so far, up to and including 31st January 2023, I have observed snowfall on 59 days:
5 days in November 2022
27 days in December 2022
27 days in January 2023
Since 1st December 2022, there have only been 8 days when I was not able to report any cm of fresh snowfall around base areas. And 4 of those days came together that wonky stretch around mid-January. I remember around that time, Japan was getting properly toasty all round.
Pretty impressive.
So far, the most snowfall on any day was 24cm on the 27th and 28th of January. In general, the numbers have been pretty consistent all the way through, often in the 10-20cm range.
This data, updated daily with each report, can be found on the Season archive page here:
2022-2023 season (data from this season)
This is how much snowfall I have measured during January over the last eleven seasons:
January 2023: 332cm
January 2022: 325cm
January 2021: 387cm
January 2020: 224cm
January 2019: 285cm
January 2018: 305cm
January 2017: 152cm
January 2016: 303cm
January 2015: 257cm
January 2014: 461cm
January 2013: 443cm
So in pure numbers, January 2023 was very similar to January 2022. 332cm is also just over the average (316cm) over the last 11 seasons.
Here's how much snowfall I have observed up until the end of January in each of the seasons:
2022/2023 season up to the end of January 2023: 685cm
2021/2022 season up to the end of January 2022: 717cm
2020/2021 season up to the end of January 2021: 797cm
2019/2020 season up to the end of January 2020: 516cm
2018/2019 season up to the end of January 2019: 702cm
2017/2018 season up to the end of January 2018: 899cm
2016/2017 season up to the end of January 2017: 443cm
2015/2016 season up to the end of January 2016: 608cm
2014/2015 season up to the end of January 2015: 806cm
2013/2014 season up to the end of January 2014: 859cm
2012/2013 season up to the end of January 2013: 979cm
The average of those 11 years is about 728cm. So we are actually a little behind on that number.
Numbers alone, of course, don't say anything about quality. But the wonky bit aside, the season continues to be consistent and very pleasing indeed! Most visitors will surely have been pleased with the snow, hopefully living up to the lofty expectations.
Here is how much of the total snowfall for the whole season we have already had fallen on us by the end of January in previous seasons:
By the end of January 2022, as a % of the season total: about 63%
By the end of January 2021, as a % of the season total: about 66%
By the end of January 2020, as a % of the season total: about 71%
By the end of January 2019, as a % of the season total: about 74%
By the end of January 2018, as a % of the season total: about 71%
By the end of January 2017, as a % of the season total: about 65%
By the end of January 2016, as a % of the season total: about 61%
By the end of January 2015, as a % of the season total: about 70%
By the end of January 2014, as a % of the season total: about 74%
By the end of January 2013, as a % of the season total: about 66%
Looking at previous seasons, we expect to have received 60-70% of the total season snowfall by the end of January.
Looking forward to what we might expect in February, here's how much snowfall I have recorded during previous seasons.
February 2022: 337cm (1054cm)
February 2021: 325cm (1122cm)
February 2020: 143cm (659cm)
February 2019: 198cm (900cm)
February 2018: 299cm (1198cm)
February 2017: 160cm (603cm)
February 2016: 266cm (874cm)
February 2015: 196cm (1002cm)
February 2014: 178cm (1037cm)
February 2013: 316cm (1295cm)
(The numbers in brackets show the total observed snowfall up until the end of February in each of those respective seasons).
This data, also updated daily with each report, is also available in detail on the Snowfall analysis page here:
Snowfall analysis (graphs and charts and stuff)
Let's hope we have a great February too.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -8C, 15cm new snow, light winds. Moiwa 800m: -12.4C, W10.8m/s, snowdrift development. Annupuri 1100m: -15.4C, cornice and snowdrift development, difficult grooming conditions. Mizuno no Sawa: -13.9C, NNW4.4m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -15.2C, SSW2.7m/s. Hanazono#3: -12.3C, N7.8m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NNW12m/s, Kamui Cape W9m/s, 1018hPa, 2.5m waves.
The wind is starting to drop, however above 800m a strong W wind and snowdrift development continues. Cornices and snowdrifts are fracturing deeply at 1.5m. From observation, data and snowfall transition the Niseko mountains general avalanche risk is starting to drop, however above 1000m Annupuri Osawa cornice slope, Kozan no Sawa sidewall and on the HigashiOne cornice slope a high avalanche risk remains. There has been heavy snow deposits over the relatively weak Feb1 layer, plus this heavy accumulation of wind blown snow is slow to stabilize. Gates 2, 3 and 4 will be closed. Other gates yet to be decided. Please respect the Patrol's decisions. Even at low altitudes avoid the valley bottom, creeks or stopping below steep slopes in Kozan no Sawa, Osawa and HigashiOne. An avalanche can easily raze a valley. Snow in the trees is heavy but not too bad. Have a good day.
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Ski area information for Friday 3rd February 2023
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day, weather permitting.
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: 25cm
- Base: 0cm (?)
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 350cm (+5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 145cm (-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
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 20cm
- Base: 25cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 290cm (+15cm since yesterday)
- Base: 237cm (+17cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 230cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 170cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad [* open until 7:30pm for night skiing]
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair [* normally open on weekends and holidays]
- Jumbo Number 4 pair
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 210cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 185cm (+5cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Niseko Gondola
- Upper Village Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Banzai Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Wonderland Chair
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
- Number 1 pair lift
- Number 2 pair lift
- Quad lift
Niseko Now 2022-2023 season |
Data as of Friday 3rd February 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 722cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 62 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (27th and 28th January) November 2022 snowfall 17cm reported on 5 days December 2022 snowfall 336cm reported on 27 days January 2023 snowfall 332cm reported on 27 days February 2023 snowfall 37cm reported on 3 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.