Niseko Now: Wednesday 4th May 2016
- May 4, 2016
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 2, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 989cm
Posted on Wednesday 4th May 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
We weren't expecting particularly nice weather today and that's what we have got at the start of the day. It's cloudy, foggy up high and wet.
As I write this, it looks like Grand Hirafu is not opening up at all (yet) and the top lift at Annupuri is not operating either... due to strong winds.
Rain looks like it might continue at least on and off today and perhaps into tomorrow. Let's hope it will clear up for tomorrow which is of course the last day of the season for the ski lifts.
Tomorrow will be my last daily weather report of the season along with a bit of a season review.
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Resort specific lift opening news at time of posting:
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Unfortunately, all 3 lifts on hold at the start of the day.
Niseko Annupuri
The top Jumbo 4 lift is on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds.
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Official resort snow depths as of Tuesday 3rd May 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Top - 220cm
Base - 0cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 200cm
Base - 10cm
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Resort operations - subject to change due to snow and weather conditions
Niseko Grand Hirafu resort area lift operations:
Ace Number 2 Center Four Quad (* this lift now used to get to and from the open courses - you can no longer ride back to base)
Ace Number 3 Pair
Ace Number 4 Pair
The resort is 'upgrading' the King Number 3 triple lift in time for next season. As part of that work the Hirafu Gondola, King Number 3 and 4 lifts have all now closed for this season. Niseko Grand Hirafu plans to remain open until Thursday 5th May.
Courses open - Large, Center, Shirakaba (Spring Park)
Niseko Annupuri plans to be open until Thursday 5th May with the Gondola, Jumbo 1 and Jumbo 4 lifts operating.
Niseko Village plans to be open for Golden Week until Thursday 5th May. The Gondola can be used as a way of getting to Niseko Grand Hirafu and for sightseeing. None of the courses at Niseko Village are open.
Niseko Hanazono has now closed for the season.
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Wednesday 4th May 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 989cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 86 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (17th February) November 2015 snowfall 61cm reported on 4 days December 2015 snowfall 244cm reported on 17 days January 2016 snowfall 303cm reported on 26 days February 2016 snowfall 266cm reported on 22 days March 2016 snowfall 109cm reported on 14 days April 2016 snowfall 6cm reported on 3 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.