Niseko Now: Saturday 4th February 2023
- Feb 4, 2023
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 20cm
Snowfall at base this season 742cm
Posted on Saturday 4th February 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
More good snow news to begin the weekend with 20cm or more since yesterday. I have measured 20cm.
Once again, it's really good quality snow and conditions should be great this morning. And, once again, more is due through the weekend.
I don't have many more words than that this morning! Everywhere should be opening as planned.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -8C, 15cm new crystal snow, light winds. Moiwa 800m: -10.6C, W1.7m/s, 15cm new snow, minor snowdrift development. Annupuri 1100m: -13.2C, W5.4m/s, 15cm new snow, cornice and snowdrift development. Mizuno no Sawa: -12.0C, NW2.1m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -13.0C, NNE0.3m/s. Hanazono#3: -10.7C, SSE1.2m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape WNW10m/s, Kamui Cape WSW7m/s, 1016hPa, 0.9m waves.
The atmospheric pressure gradient is small and the seas and mountains are calm. Snow drift development is continuing slowly with W winds up to 15m/s above 1000m. From observation snowfall data and mountain data the general avalanche risk is low. Peak gates are expected to be open.
The wind blown slabs formed before yesterday have compacted and stabilised, however a cornice collapse or other large stimulus could cause them to fracture. Also expect surface sloughs on 30 deg slopes above 1000m. Avoid traversing cornice slopes. Do not wait at the bottom of steep slopes or valley/gully bottoms, these are avalanche paths. Careless behavior can cause an avalanche then people below can get caught in it. Is your beacon on? Please listen to the patrols advice and prepare before going out the gates. The snow is wonderful.
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Ski area information for Saturday 4th February 2023
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day, weather permitting.
Official snow depth numbers in brackets show the change since previous report.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 30cm
- Base: 30cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 370cm (+20cm since yesterday)
- Base: 170cm (+25cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Ace Family quad [* open until for 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Ace Number 2 quad (Center Four) [* open until for 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Ace Number 4 pair
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- King Number 3 quad
- King Number 4
- Swinging Monkey
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 21cm
- Base: 22cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 296cm (+6cm since yesterday)
- Base: 242cm (+5cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 240cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 170cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad [* open until 7:30pm for night skiing]
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair [* normally open on weekends and holidays]
- Jumbo Number 4 pair
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 210cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 185cm (+5cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Niseko Gondola
- Upper Village Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Banzai Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Wonderland Chair
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
- Number 1 pair lift
- Number 2 pair lift
- Quad lift
Niseko Now 2022-2023 season |
Data as of Saturday 4th February 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 742cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 63 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (27th and 28th January) November 2022 snowfall 17cm reported on 5 days December 2022 snowfall 336cm reported on 27 days January 2023 snowfall 332cm reported on 27 days February 2023 snowfall 57cm 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.