Niseko Now: Sunday 3rd March 2024
- Mar 3, 2024
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 825cm
Posted on Sunday 3rd March 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
OK, so I went to a party last night and this morning head told me that I needed more sleep. And then coffee. And, of course, toast. So that is why I am late today.
It has turned into a fine morning. A few cm of snow since yesterday on the ground. I'm not sure where Hirafu is coming up with '20cm' this morning or why the snow depth numbers at Village have increased with no fresh snow reported, but never mind.
Currently we have a mix of cloud, blue sky and sun.
The very good news is that it is not as windy and all (scheduled) lifts are moving as planned.
Snow is scattered across the forecast for the coming week too, so hopefully we'll have nice regular refreshes.
------------------
Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6am: -8°, trace new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: -10.2°, WNW6.6m/s, major snowdrift development over last 24hrs. Mikaeri 764m:-10°, W4.2m/s, good visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -14.1°, W8.8m/s. Village 1000m: -12.8°, W8.0m/s. Hanazono 1000m: -13.6°, WNW3.7m/s. Hanazono 3 : -10.4°, SSE0.0m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW15m/s. Kamui Cape: W7m/s, 1010hPa, wave 2.0m.
The wind is starting to calm down at sea and on the mountains. From observation and data the general avalanche risk is starting to fall, however above 1000m there is the risk of 100cm fracture surface avalanches in areas like Higashi One(East Ridge). Also below 1,000m, there is a high possibility that the new snowdrifts under cornices or knolls will collapse. Gates 1 to 5 will be closed. Number 6 is yet to be decided. Please Follow the patrol's instructions and never duck ropes to go out of bounds. The weather has improved, but it's still dangerous out there. This information is provided to prevent accidents during out of bounds riding in Niseko. The snow has reset and is good for the first time in a while. Please respect the rules.
------------------
Individual ski area information for Sunday 3rd March 2024
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 and subject to change.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 20cm (really?)
- Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 310cm (+15cm since yesterday)
- Base: 110cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts apart from King Number 1 pair and King Number 2 quad (normal operations)
- The Ace Family quad, Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four), Hirafu Gondola and Holiday Number 1 pair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 245cm (-5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 170cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
- The Hanazono Symphony Gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 220cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 140cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
- The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
------------------
Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 236cm (+23cm since yesterday)
- Base: 140cm (+16cm since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts apart from Country Road
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Sunday 3rd March 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 825cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 81 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 62cm (8th January) November 2023 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 days December 2023 snowfall 247cm reported on 24 days January 2024 snowfall 298cm reported on 24 days February 2024 snowfall 144cm reported on 20 days March 2024 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.