Niseko Now: Thursday 5th January 2023
- Jan 5, 2023
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 16cm
Snowfall at base this season 438cm
Posted on Thursday 5th January 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
There are some lovely big flakes of snow falling outside my window as I write this. Less so on the Hanazono webcam.
It remains cold and a north westerly wind remains, though all lifts apart from Annupuri Gondola are starting the day as planned.
I heard someone yesterday say they wish it would stop snowing. Now that's just silly, isn't it?! I don't think we should ever moan about snow falling from the skies, it is too precious. Though I can certainly understand the wish to see the sun from time to time. They will probably get their wish in the coming days. It would be nice for everyone is we got periods of sunshine and beautiful views, just as long as it remains cold.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -6C, mild wind, good visibility, 10cm snowfall. Moiwa800m: -9.1C, WSW8.3m/s, cornice development, snowdrifts are stable. Annupur1100m: -12.4C, WNW7.5m/s, cornice development, snowdrifts are unstable. Mizuno no Sawa top: -10.9C, NNW5.6m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -12.2C, 20cm, snowdrift development on peak ridge. Coastal data: Benkei cape NW16m/s, Kamui cape WNW11m/s, 1015hPa, 2.3m waves.
Snowdrifts development on the slopes over 1000m elevation due to the continuous snowfall. From observations and tests, snowdrift consolidation is slowly developing, avalanche risk is decreasing on the leeward slopes at 900m elevation. Gates 2, 3,4, and 5 are due to be open tomorrow. Avalanche risk remains high on the backbowl, Annupuri bowl cornice slopes, and East ridge cornice slopes. Even if the summit gates are open, do not ride these areas without utmost caution, always ride one by one, do not traverse 40-degree slopes, these can trigger an avalanche. Always know there are people in the valley. If an avalanche occurs on the upper slope, the people riding below it will get caught in one. This is a ski resort and many people are riding out of bounds for fresh snow. Please always be considerate of others. Do not duck ropes and do not enter strictly off-limits areas such as Yu no Sawa and Haru no Taki. Slabs are easily formed on these southern faced slopes by solar radiation, serious large scale avalanche risk remains due to the snowfall transition this winter. The Hell's Gate below Moiwa Bowl is currently extremely dangerous. If you fall into the valley, you will not only get wet but also suffer serious damage from rocks and stumps. It is best to avoid this area until there is more snow. Is your beacon switched on? There is no safety in the winter mountains, but most accidents can be prevented if you are careful. Have a good day.
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Ski area information for Thursday 5th January 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: 300cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 120cm (+10cm 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
- 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: 28cm
- Base: 22cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 235cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 188cm (+3cm 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: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 140cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 120cm (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 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm (hmmmm)
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 135cm (+10cm since yesterday)
- Base: 125cm (-5cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Niseko 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 Thursday 5th January 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 438cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 37 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 22cm (2nd January) November 2022 snowfall 17cm reported on 5 days December 2022 snowfall 336cm reported on 27 days January 2023 snowfall 85cm reported on 5 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.