Niseko Now: Wednesday 4th December 2024
- Dec 4, 2024
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 49cm
Posted on Wednesday 4th December 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
I am happy to report that it is snowing again and noticeably colder (though we might get some spells of sunshine during the day, apparently).
I can report just under 3cm at my measuring point, but hopefully there will be some decent numbers to report over the next 3-4 days. Let's have it!
Niseko Hanazono Resort made the decision to part open from this morning. The Number 1 lift and Hanazono Number 2 quad lifts are open over in that area, but the ski run that is open needs to be gotten to via the Number 1 lift. Mango Salad, anyone? (I think I'll stick with some toast).
Yesterday, very unfortunately and by accident, I came across an online advert... claiming 'epic powder conditions in Niseko'. Not during peak season, but right now. Just how ridiculous is that? In my mind, that kind of nonsense actually does a disservice. We will get plenty of excellent conditions, at which time it will be appropriate to get really excited and maybe even use superlatives. Perhaps some people out there just like to be fed this dumb kind of thing by the folks trying to make money (?).
Seriously, I don't know how some people can sleep soundly at night.
Sorry for my mini rant. This kind of thing just never fails to bother me. I'll keep these things to a minimum, promise! ;)
And just to be clear. Limited parts of each of the ski areas on the mountain are now open. Seven lifts are operating and only a few ski runs are currently available. There's not much snow yet and operations are very limited. Can you have fun and enjoy yourself? Yes, of course. But don't expect anything like peak season conditions. Not even close.
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Individual ski area information for Wednesday 4th December 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.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 7cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 28cm
Base: 22cm
Lifts:
Hanazono Number 1 lift
Hanazono Number 2 quad
Courses:
Mango Salad
Take the Hanazono Number 1 lift back down to base (because lower runs not yet available)
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Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 7cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 80cm (same as yesterday)
Base: 15cm (+5cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
Ace Gondola
Ace Number 3 pair
Courses:
Center Course
Take the gondola back down to base (because lower runs not yet available)
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 20cm (-20cm since yesterday)
Base: 0cm (-10cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
Upper Village Gondola
Community Chair
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 0cm
Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 30cm
Base: 20cm
Lifts:
Dream Number 1 quad
Courses:
Beginners run by the lift
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
Number 2 pair lift
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Night skiing
Floodlit night skiing is planned from Saturday 14th December 2024 until Wednesday 23rd March 2025.
Niseko Now 2024-2025 season |
Data as of Wednesday 4th December 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 49cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 10 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 14cm (30th November) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 11cm 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.