Niseko Now: Sunday 5th January 2025
- Jan 5, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 7cm
Snowfall at base this season 405cm
Posted on Sunday 5th January 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko. Just about!
I have 7cm to add to the report this morning.
It's now 11:30am and up above we have a mix of cloud, blue sky, sun at times... and some light snow falling too in places. A real mixture out there, depending on where you find yourself on the mountain, but it is a very pleasant one.
There should also be some very fine snow conditions to enjoy, too.
All lifts are go!
And it should be snowing again tomorrow.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -7℃, 10cm new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: -11.3℃, NNW6.7m/s, 30cm wind slab. Mikaeri 750m: -9℃, NNW4.1m/s, snowpack increasing. Annupuri 1100m: -13.8℃, WNW7.7m/s, 100cm cornice development, 40cm wind slab. Hirafu Hanazono: -13.3℃, ESE3.3m/s, 10cm new snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NNW12m/s, Kamui Cape W10m/s, 1021hPa, 1.9m waves.
Yesterday's wind and snow subsided by midnight and new slab development has stabilized. There were no significant fractures during this morning's tests, the avalanche risk is low. On southeast slopes around 1100m, layers of varying density slabs have developed, which are prone to breakage in some areas. Take care on steep open slopes and valley side walls. Avalanches are natural phenomena, accidents only occur when people are involved. Stay out of the valley bottom, this is an avalanche path. Do not carelessly cause an avalanche around cornices or knolls. Avoid multiple riders at the same time. There will always be people in the valley below you. Although it is not mandatory to have a beacon, it is strongly recommended that you do. Having one can not only save your life, but also the lives of your friends. Never enter restricted areas Haru no Taki or Yu no Sawa. The forest has been reset with soft slabs. All gates are scheduled to be opened. Have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Sunday 5th 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: 15cm
Base: 18cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 235cm (-3cm change since yesterday)
Base: 195cm (-2cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are scheduled to be operating
The gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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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: 275cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 170cm (+10cm 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
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 160cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 130cm (no 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
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 180cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 130cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
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Night skiing
Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Wednesday 23rd March 2025.
Niseko Now 2024-2025 season |
Data as of Sunday 5th January 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 405cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 41 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 56cm 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.