Niseko Now: Sunday 4th February 2024
- Feb 4, 2024
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 17cm
Snowfall at base this season 720cm
Posted on Sunday 4th February 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I am very pleased to be able to report another 17cm of fresh snow this morning. Double digits each morning so far this month. I like it. :)
As I write this there are some lovely big flakes of snow coming down outside my place. They look nice and fluffy. More! More!
All top lifts are open this morning and gates should be open too.
If you are fortunate enough to be here and able to enjoy, have fun and take care. There are a lot of people around, everyone seeking out that fresh snow; there's enough to go around.
Today is the first day of the the 74th Sapporo Snow Festival, over in... Sapporo City. The three sites (Odori, Susukino and Tsudome) plan to be open until next Sunday, 11th February. Lots going on but those big snow sculptures are usually very omoshiroi.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6am: -7°, 20cm new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: -10.0, WNW6.2m/s, 20cm new snow, cornice and snowdrift development. Mikaeri 764m: no instrument data, light winds, 20cm new snow, wind rippled. Annupuri 1100m: -12.3°, WNW7.3m/s, 20cm new snow, good visibility. Village 1000m: -11.0°, W5.4m/s. Hanazono 1000m: -11.6°, SSW2.6m/s, 20cm new snow, calm. Hanazono 3 : -8.8°, NW0.5m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW12m/s. Kamui Cape: SW8m/s, 1021hPa, wave 1.0m.
The isobars are spreading apart and the seas and mountains are calm. Cold air continues to flow in. Based on data and observation the general avalanche risk is low. All gates are expected to be open. Please follow the patrols instructions and only exit the ski area through a gate.
Once you go through the gates you are not in the ski area anymore, you are in the backcountry. Out of bounds riding requires preparation, knowledge, and experience. Guides, leaders, and parents have a huge responsibility. Niseko Rules allow the gates to be opened on days that are deemed safe for out of bounds riding. However no day is ever 100% safe or even close to it in the backcountry. Many dangers exist . Out the gate is into a wild mountain environment and safety depends on each individual's actions. The snow is wonderful. There will be many people out there today. Don't start an avalanche, expect people to be below you. Niseko respects your freedom to ride, but your safety is always a concern. Have a good day. Is the beacon switch on?
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Individual ski area information for Sunday 4th February 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: 25cm
- Base: 25cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 350cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 130cm (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
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 15cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 275cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 200cm (-3cm since yesterday)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
- The Hanazono Symphony Gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 210cm (no change since what seems like forever)
- Base: 180cm (no change since what seems like forever)
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
- The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 265cm (+5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 175cm (+5cm 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
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts (scheduled):
- All lifts
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Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Wednesday 20th March 2024.
Night skiing is usually until 7:00pm at Hirafu, Hanazono, Village and until 7:30pm at Annupuri.
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Sunday 4th February 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 720cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 63 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 55cm 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.