Niseko Now: Friday 4th February 2022
- Feb 4, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 21cm
Snowfall at base this season 788cm
Posted on Friday 4th February 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
More good news this morning. Moderate snowfall in places right now with another decent layer of fine snow on the ground. I just measured 21cm; ski areas reporting up to 40cm in upper areas (Hanazono). Lovely light and fluffy snow too. Oh yes.
I said 'in places' with the snowfall because it's not as much over towards Village and Annupuri. It looks quite bright at the base of Hirafu at the moment and I can even see some blue sky (not much). I feel there's been a lot of that kind of pattern lately...
All (planned to open) lifts and areas open, and the gates should be open too.
Anyway, more snow is likely today and through the end of the weekend, so there's probably going to be regular refreshes and conditions should be excellent for the weekend.
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I'm going to get to my January review today and will post it tomorrow.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -7℃, light wind, 15cm snowfall in 12h, 40cm in 24h. Moiwa800m: -10℃, WNW5m/s, 35cm snowfall, small snowdrift development. Annupuri1150m: -12℃, WNW8m/s, 40cm snowfall snowdrifts developing slowly. Hirafu1250m: -12℃, moderate westerly wind, 30cm snowfall, good visibility. Coastal data Bekei cape: NW13m/s, Kamui cape: -9℃, 1010hPa, 1.1m waves.
The winter atmospheric pressure distribution continues. The avalanche risk is lowering in areas under 1100m elevation. A uniform light crystal snow is blanketing the slopes under 1000m. All gates will open. Listen to the ski patrol advice when going out the gates. Beacon and helmet are not mandatory, but are strongly advised to wear. The cracks in the lower Mikaeri area are getting bigger. It is not likely that these cracks slide, but it is highly recommended not to get close to them. Beware of falling in the cracks. The avalanche risk remains high in the Backbowl sidewall slopes. Better give that area a little more time until the slabs stabilize. These double black diamond slopes should not be ridden easily without considering the risks involved. Avalanches sweep down the valley, stay away from there. Beware of sudden weather changes. The Snow is amazing today, but conditions will never be 100% safe. We strongly hope there won’t be any accidents.
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Planned ski area operations: Friday 4th February 2022
The below snow depth and snowfall data is manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day (nature might intervene).
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 400cm (+10cm)
- Base: 230cm (+10cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 35cm
- Base: 35cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Ace Family quad
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
- Hirafu Gondola
- King Number 3 quad
- King Number 4
- Swinging Monkey
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 350cm (+10cm)
- Base: 270cm (+10cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 40cm
- Base: 32cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 260cm (no change)
- Base: 195cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 20cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad [* open for night skiing until 7:30pm]
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 4 pair
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 290cm
- Base: 200cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Niseko Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
- Banzai Chair
- Wonderland Chair
Niseko Now 2021-2022 season |
Data as of Friday 4th February 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 788cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 63 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (23rd December) November 2021 snowfall 85cm reported on 6 days December 2021 snowfall 307cm reported on 23 days January 2022 snowfall 325cm reported on 30 days February 2022 snowfall 71cm reported on 4 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.