Niseko Now: Friday 3rd January 2025
- Jan 3, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 11cm
Snowfall at base this season 386cm
Posted on Friday 3rd January 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It is a cold and beautiful morning.
Mt Yotei is looking very fetching with an early morning cloud cap, and no other clouds nearby.
There is some thin cloud around our mountain, but it is largely blue sky and sunshine.
Lovely!
That might not last, though, with cloud and then snow due before the end of the day.
Oh yes, some fresh snow to report since yesterday, too, arriving in the afternoon and evening; Hirafu and Hanazono are both reporting 20cm in upper areas this morning.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -9℃, 10cm snowfall, calm. Moiwa 800m: -11.9℃, NNW7.1m/s, 30cm soft slabs. Mikaeri 750m: -10℃, NNW2.8m/s, snowpack reached 300cm. Annupuri 1100m: -14.4℃, NNW3.8m/s, cornices and slabs are breaking easily. Hirafu Haanzono: -14.0℃, NNE8.8m/s, soft slabs are developing slowly. Coastal data: Benkei cape NNE8m/s, Kamui cape N8m/s, 1017hPa, 1.1m waves.
The avalanche forecast in Niseko is mostly based on observing the transition of the wind direction, speed and wave height in the Sea of Japan which is generated by the transition of atmospheric pressure. The observation figures are simple facts. We also evaluate the data from 6 weather stations located at various aspects and elevation of the mountain and gather on-site observation information at 5am. Looking at all information from today, the overall avalanche risk is low. However, winter mountains will never be 100% safe. All gates are scheduled to open. Be warned that discontinued panes due to yesterday’s temperature elevation are present in the soft slabs of 1200m Backbowl side walls and could trigger a slide with skiing stimulation at anytime. Do not take guests or beginners there. A slides from that elevation could swipe down the whole valley, so it is not a good idea to be riding the bottom of it. Haru no Taki strictly off-limits area is closed for a good reason, please stay out of there. A large scale avalanche is likely to occur as the sun reflection is forming a thick slab. The sky is clear above 1000m and you can see a sea of clouds under. The snow is pretty good. Please be wise and use common sense. Beware of hitting trees, you can’t beat them. Have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Friday 3rd 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: 20cm
Base: 15cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 230cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 190cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are scheduled to be 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: 20cm
Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 270cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 160cm (+20cm 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: 155cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 120cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All 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: 170cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 120cm (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 3rd January 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 386cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 39 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 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.