Niseko Now: Sunday 5th March 2023
- Mar 5, 2023
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 999cm
Posted on Sunday 5th March 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It's a fine start to the day here. Blue sky, sun, cloud.
I'm posting 2cm of snow which is from yesterday morning just after my report. And it's looking unlikely that I will have more to report for at least a few days. The forecasts all pretty much say the same - the same kind of mix as this morning with variations on fine and cloudy, with milder temperatures.
Having said that, it's a fairly chilly morning, in a pleasant way.
And all being well, wind will not be an issue.
Yes, it is a pleasant morning.
I believe that today is the last planned day of the season for the small Asahigaoka near Kutchan Station. I have added the planned closing dates of the other ski areas to the below list.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -4C, refrozen, no new snow. Moiwa 800m: -4.2C, W7.2m/s, snowdrift development. Annupuri 1100m: -6.9C, W6.7m/s. Mizuno no Sawa: -5.9C, WNW5.8m/s. Hirafu Hanazono: -6.2C, NNE3.5m/s. Hanazono#3: -3.5C, ESE2.7m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape WNW8m/s, Kamui Cape SW15m/s, 1025hPa, 1.4m waves.
We are on the edge of a high pressure ridge with strong SW winds at higher levels. Although there was no snowfall overnight, there was some shallow snowdrift development on leeward slopes. Tests showed a sudden drop and occasional cracks. Based on observations and data the general avalanche risk is low. Peak gates are expected to be open. Please prepare properly before leaving the ski area. Also listen to the patrols advice as they are there to protect your safety. Never wait in avalanche zones - like gullies, valleys or at the bottom of steep slopes. There is no safety in this sport, but with care fatal accidents can be avoided. Don't overestimate your knowledge and always be cautious. The Avalanche Report is n/a tomorrow due to a mission review. However data and observations will continue. Be careful of sudden changes in the weather. Have a good day.
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Ski area information for Sunday 5th March 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: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 395cm (-5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 165cm (-5cm 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
- Ace Number 4 pair
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- King Number 3 quad
- King Number 4
- Swinging Monkey
Planned season:
- Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu plans to be open until Sunday 7th May 2023
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 320cm (-5cm since yesterday)
- Base: 245cm (-7cm since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
Planned season:
- Niseko HANAZONO Resort plans to be open until Sunday 9th April 2023
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 270cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 210cm (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
Planned season:
- Niseko Annupuri Kokusai plans to be open until Sunday 7th May 2023
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 245cm (no change since yesterday)
- Base: 225cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
- Niseko Gondola
- Upper Village Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Banzai Chair [* open until 7:00pm for night skiing]
- Wonderland Chair
Planned season:
- Niseko Village Ski Resort plans to be open until Sunday 9th April 2023
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
- Number 1 pair lift
- Number 2 pair lift
- Quad lift
Planned season:
- Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort plans to be open until Sunday 2nd April 2023
Niseko Now 2022-2023 season |
Data as of Sunday 5th March 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 999cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 87 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (27th & 28th January, 6th February) November 2022 snowfall 17cm reported on 5 days December 2022 snowfall 336cm reported on 27 days January 2023 snowfall 332cm reported on 27 days February 2023 snowfall 289cm reported on 25 days March 2023 snowfall 25cm 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.