Niseko Now: Wednesday 5th February 2025
- Feb 5, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 4cm
Snowfall at base this season 534cm
Posted on Wednesday 5th February 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Top lifts and eventually some others (including the Hirafu gondolas) were affected by that southerly wind yesterday. Unfortunately it seems this morning is going to similarly limited operations.
Japan headlines this morning are of some regions getting truly dumped on by heavy snow, but nature has decided to be more delicate with the serving offered to Niseko so far.
Ski areas (including Annupuri!) reporting up to 10cm this morning on the mountain. My measurement is just over 4cm.
We are still expecting moderate to heavy snow, so hopefully it will happen. As of 8:30am, it is snowing at a moderate rate.
------------------------------------
Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa Mountain base -5℃, light wind, 10cm new snow. Moiwa 800m: -8.4℃, WSW1.5m/s. Mikaeri 750m: -9℃, SSE4.4m/s, rime on trees developing. Annupuri 1100m: -10.5℃, WSW3.1m/s. Hirafu Hanazono: -10.1℃, SSW4.9m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape WNW19m/s, Kamui Cape SSW26m/s, 980hPa, wave 3.5m.
Wind speed and wave height at sea are both high, and the sea is very rough. We are in the east bottom part of the low pressure system, the atmospheric gradient is wide, and winds are weak below 750m elevation. Due to the SE warm blizzard yesterday, rime on trees has developed on the slopes over 700m elevation. Cornices have developed on the west side of the slopes. From the test, the upper 30cm slabs are unstable and easy to break with stimulation. Avalanche risk is high on the slopes over 800m elevation, and the risk increases as the W wind and snow intensify later today. All the peak gates, including 6 and 10, will be closed for accident prevention. Many avalanche accidents occurred in the past here in Niseko. If one person ducks the rope, people will follow, and it increases the possibility of accidents. For those who duck ropes, be reminded that it is a violation of the rules. The rules are applied equally regardless of nationality, experience, or knowledge. Please respect the Niseko Rules.
------------------------------------
Individual ski area information for Wednesday 5th February 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: 5cm
Base: 9cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 250cm (+5cm change since Wednesday)
Base: 195cm (+5cm change since Wednesday)
Lifts:
The gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 10cm
Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 285cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 120cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
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: 185cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 10cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 200cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
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 Wednesday 5th February 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 534cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 59 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 161cm reported on 19 days February 2025 snowfall 24cm 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.