Niseko Now: Saturday 4th January 2025
- Jan 4, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 398cm
Posted on Saturday 4th January 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I have another 12cm to add to my reports on this cold morning, with the ski areas (that report) reporting 20-25cm of fresh snow on the mountain. (Curiously, Niseko Village is actually reporting some snowfall this morning - 5cm).
It is still snowing nicely at the start of the day.
Sounds good to me!
Indeed, there are a lot of people lining up for the first lifts.
All lifts appear to be operating as planned, apart from the Annupuri gondola and top lift over there. Not sure why.
I thought I would just mention this here, but there is a chance that I might be late with my report tomorrow.
------------------------------------
Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -9℃, 20cm snowfall in 12h. Moiwa 800m: -10.9℃, NW11.3m/s, slabs and cornices developing. Mikaeri 750m: NW3.2m/s, snowpack is growing and visibility is good. Annupuri 1100m: -13.6℃, WNW10.0m/s, cornices and slabs are developing. Hirafu Hanazono -13.1℃, SW5.2m/s. Coastal data: Benkei cape NNE8m/s, Kamui cape N8m/s, 1010hPa, 1.1m waves.
The wind is calming down, however soft windload snow has deposited in SE aspects above 750m elevation and the slopes are mostly reset. The snow in the forests is good. Relatively drastic development of slabs are present in high elevation slopes such as 1100m Kozan no Sawa (Backbowl) and the avalanche risk in these zones is higher than yesterday’s. Inexperienced skiers should not challenge these areas. Taking it too easily might end up learning the lesson the hard way. The snow in Niseko is amazing, but people should not forget that Niseko was the place that had the most avalanche accidents in Japan. Do not sneak into Haru no Taki area from Mizuno no Sawa. Haru no Taki area is highly affected by sun-exposure which creates unstable slabs that can easily let go with ski stimulation. One of the major causes of a surface slab avalanche is the formation of “Slabs” in the snowpack. Wind is not the only factor to form slabs.
Niseko respects the visitors' freedom, but please don’t underestimate the risks. Be wise and think conservative. Is your beacon switched on? Gates opening is undecided. Please respect the ski patrol’s decisions. Low temperature warning, beware of frostbites. Have a nice day.
------------------------------------
Individual ski area information for Saturday 4th January 2025
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: 25cm
Base: 27cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 238cm (+8cm change since yesterday)
Base: 197cm (+7 change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are scheduled to be operating
The gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 25cm
Base: 15cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 265cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 160cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
The Ace Gondola, Ace Family quad, King Gondola and King Holiday pair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 160cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 130cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are operating
The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 180cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 120cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
------------------
Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
------------------------------------
Night skiing
Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Wednesday 23rd March 2025.
Niseko Now 2024-2025 season |
Data as of Saturday 4th January 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 398cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 40 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 23cm (16th December) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 311cm reported on 28 days January 2025 snowfall 49cm 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.