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Niseko Now: Friday 6th December 2019

  • Dec 6, 2019
  • 3 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido


New snowfall at base 21cm
Snowfall at base this season 152cm

Posted on Friday 6th December 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here


A very good morning to you all from Hirafu.


I have more good news this morning after snow heavy snow overnight. I measured an additional 21cm of beautiful light fresh snow on the ground around my secret base lair.


It was great to see Niseko Grand Hirafu opening up yesterday and more opening up on the mountain including the Annupuri Gondola. So the upper Utopia course area is open at that resort, but like at Hirafu you can't ride the snow back down to base; rather, you need to get the lift back down.


Full details on what should be open this morning have been updated below. There's 9 lifts operating in total this morning. I would guess that there is a decent chance of more opening for the weekend.


It is very cold out there but there's already a lot of fun to be had and the snow will probably be easing off for the day.


Once I post this and have a quality toast top-up, I think I might make my own debut for the season... I can't wait any longer!


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Danger!! The Center Course at Niseko Grand Hirafu is only to be used by 'Exterts Only', according to the official site. :)


I have been known for typos too! Relayed with friendly humour and a general sense of fun and excitement for the start of the season, and most importantly the taps being turned to 'on'.


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Niseko Grand Hirafu

Part open


Official snow depth (reported by resort):

- Peak: 125cm

- Base: 60cm


Ski lifts operating:

- Ace Family quad (8:30am - 3:30pm)

- Ace Number 2 Center quad (8:30am - 3:10pm) [for transport to Ace 3 lift]

- Ace Number 3 pair (8:40am - 3:30pm)


Courses available:

- Family Course

- Center Course


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Niseko HANAZONO Resort

Plans to open from Saturday


Official snow depth (reported by resort):

- Peak: 50cm

- Base: 20cm


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Niseko Annupuri

Part open


Official snow depth (reported by resort):

- Peak: 65cm

- Base: 50cm


Ski lifts operating:

- Annupuri Gondola (8:30am - 5:00pm)

- Dream Number 1 quad (8:30am - 4:30pm)

- Jumbo Number 3 pair (8:45am - 3:15pm)


Courses available:

- Utopia course

- Base beginners area


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Niseko Village

Part open


Official snow depth (reported by resort):

- Peak: 50cm

- Base: 35cm


Ski lifts operating:

- Upper Village Gondola (8:30am - 4:00pm)

- Village Express (8:00am - 4:00pm)

- Community Chair (11:00am - 4:00pm)

- Banzai Chair (8:30am - 4:00pm)



Niseko Now 2019-2020 season

Data as of Friday 6th December 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 152cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 14 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 21cm (6th December) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 67cm 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.


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