Niseko Now: Monday 3rd February 2025
- Feb 3, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 526cm
Posted on Monday 3rd February 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
We have fine weather to start this Monday morning.
1-2cm of snow is being reported by Hirafu and Hanazono, but I don't have enough to add any to this report.
It is a cold morning and I'd like to mention the consistent snowfall (and possible strong winds) that forecasts are talking about during this week.
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Yesterday, I learned about the new Hanazono Early Bird Pass for the first time. This special pass allows the holder access to ride the Hanazono Number 1 lift from 8:00am until 8:29am (ie. before all the rabble arrives). A maximum of 20 of these special tickets will be available daily (from 1st February) through 23rd March 2025.
How much for this special experience, I hear you ask.
20,000 yen.
Yes, you read that right. Twenty thousand yen.
That is for, at the very most, a period of 29 minutes using the lift (they are selling the ticket until 8:10am). I believe a ride on that particular lift takes 5 minutes and 23 seconds. So if you took the lift 3 times, that would come to about 16 minutes. At 8:30am, this Early Bird Pass expires and holders need a regular ticket to continue riding the lift.
Just, wow.
That price seemed so out there and ridiculous that I actually checked with someone at the ski area to confirm it.
I haven't processed this properly yet, so I might come back to it. But I am genuinely curious about what people might think about this kind of thing. (If you wish to tell me, please do. And don’t worry, I would never share any details with anyone).
On to the monthly recap, which I wrote before finding out about the above...
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A look back at the season so far: until end of January 2025
It's time to take a look back at the season so far.
I am not keen on needing extended 'disclaimers', but as usual, I want to start with a reminder and important points to keep in mind when reading my comments. The snowfall numbers I am introducing below are all the snowfall measurements I observed near the base of Hirafu. The monthly and annual numbers in these reports are comparable because they are coming to you from the same spot and being observed by the same person every day over the last 13 seasons.
It is important to always keep in mind that 'snowfall numbers at base' is not the full story of how the season is going. Observed snowfall data does not take into account the fact that there is more snow at higher elevations or snow quality. (More information on snowfall numbers here).
Lastly, I want to remind readers that I am not here to be a cheerleader for your holiday in Niseko. Of course, I hope all visitors to Niseko enjoy good conditions, see it at its best, and have a great time. But my purpose here is to report on what is actually happening. As I deal only with reality, it might not always be what you want to hear! (There seems to be more than enough content on the interwebs for people who prefer to live in fantasy world).
And so, after all that, here are the numbers and my thoughts.
Here's my observed snowfall numbers for January 2025:
January 2025: 161cm
January 2024: 298cm
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
I reported snowfall on 19 days in January 2025.
The month actually started off pretty good, with some decent, if not spectacular, snowfall numbers.
By my 17th January report, I was commenting that the pace (of snowfall) would have to step up in the second half of the month if we were going to hit 3m for the month. (3m being an average for January).
Unfortunately, soon after that, some naughty being/entity turned off the taps. Between the 19th and 28th of January, I only reported 3cm of snowfall. Yikes.
The last 3 reports of the month helped avoid some embarrassment with 23cm of snowfall, and we got to enjoy some nice fresh conditions.
The total of 161cm for the month isn't much more than half the average (303cm) of January past, and only 2017 saw less snowfall in January (152cm).
There's no way around it; in terms of snowfall, January 2025 was not good, and that prolonged dry spell was poor. (Doesn't mean folks didn't have fun, of course!)
A few good things to note.
Even when it didn't snow, we didn't have to endure much rain.
Also, on reflection, I don't recall having to mention pesky strong winds stopping lifts so much this season. The gondolas at Hirafu seem to be coping well. I am unsure whether that is because they are both just ace (see what I did there?) or they haven't had as many strong winds to deal with.
Here are the total snowfall numbers for the season so far):
2024/2025 season up to the end of January 2025: 510cm
2023/2024 season up to end of January 2023: 665cm
2022/2023 season up to end of January 2022: 685cm
2021/2022 season up to end of January 2021: 717cm
2020/2021 season up to end of January 2020: 797cm
2019/2020 season up to end of January 2019: 516cm
2018/2019 season up to end of January 2018: 702cm
2017/2018 season up to end of January 2017: 899cm
2016/2017 season up to end of January 2016: 443cm
2015/2016 season up to end of January 2015: 608cm
2014/2015 season up to end of January 2014: 806cm
2013/2014 season up to end of January 2013: 859cm
2012/2013 season up to end of January 2012: 979cm
The numbers speak for themselves; clearly below-average numbers this season so far.
Moving on.
Looking back at previous seasons, here is how much of the total snowfall for the whole season we have already received by the end of January. This might give us an idea of what to expect over the coming months:
By the end of January 2024, as a % of the season total: about 75%
By the end of January 2023, as a % of the season total: about 68%
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%
What can we expect from February?
Here's how much snowfall I have recorded during previous seasons in February:
February 2024: 144cm (809cm)
February 2023: 289cm (974cm)
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 in each season until the end of February.)
The average of those numbers is about 238cm.
One interesting and perhaps encouraging thing I noticed. Until now, there has always been less snowfall in February than in January. Of course, there are more days in January than in February. The only exception to that (since data started on SnowJapan) was the 2016-2017 season. It just so happens that was the season with the low snowfall in January.
Perhaps we can enjoy a similar kind of pattern this year.
Let's hope so!
The marketing machine that promotes Niseko (along with all the social media frenzy stuff that is now part of the landscape) very much focuses on the quality of the 'powder snow'. Many superlatives and cheesy tag lines are used, and subsequently, expectation levels are extremely high. I think it is safe to say that is the main reason why people are willing to spend more money to come here than other Japanese ski areas. (Not everyone will be lured by posh bags for their bottles of whiskey!)
And, of course, there are a lot of visitors coming to Niseko, making it very busy. So we need those regular refreshes.
Logically, if Niseko is not consistently providing that and appropriately high levels of service, there will be problem. Please note that in saying that, I am not suggesting there is a problem, but rather emphasising the need to consistently satisfy the high expectations that visitors are promised.
I really hope that February will deliver some consistently great conditions for us all to enjoy. When looking back at the end of the season, perhaps the second half of January might seem like a(n extended) blip in the big picture of the season as a whole.
All the data I have discussed here is available to you at any time on the Snowfall Analysis and Seasonal archive pages of this report. See the tabs at the top of the report.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -9℃, no new snow, good visibility. Moiwa 800m: -8.6℃, NE2.0m/s, no new snow, good visibility . Mikaeri 750: -20℃??, E1.3m/s, good visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -11.2℃, NNW0.4m/s, no new snow, good visibility. Hirafu Hanazono: -11.8℃, NNW1.5m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape SSE3m/s, Kamui Cape calm, 1015hPa, wave 0.6m.
The base of the mountain is cold due to radiation cooling. No new snow and the mountain is tracked out. A low pressure system is approaching from the Sea of Japan, be prepared for an easterly wind to pick up this afternoon. Based on observations and data, the overall avalanche risk is low. Gates are expected to be open this morning. Avoid steep valley sidewalls and cliffs looking for untracked snow. In winter mountains, there is always the risk of avalanches. Not only from wind-driven snow but also from deeper layers and full depth avalanches sliding on the bamboo grass. Always be aware that there will be many people below you in the valleys. If an avalanche occurs, secondary disasters will occur, please be careful. There have been an increasing number of collisions between boards and skis on the slopes. Each ski line is different. Ski carefully, looking 360 degrees like an owl searching for prey. Rope monitoring has been strengthened. Niseko rules rely on people not ducking ropes. Always exit from the gates when going out of bounds. Have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Monday 3rd February 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: 1cm
Base: 1cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 250cm (-7cm change since Wednesday)
Base: 190cm (-5cm 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: 2cm
Base: 2cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 270cm (-10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 120cm (-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: 180cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (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 Monday 3rd February 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 526cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 57 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 February 2025 snowfall 16cm reported on 2 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.