Niseko Now: Friday 6th December 2024
- Dec 6, 2024
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 15cm
Snowfall at base this season 82cm
Posted on Friday 6th December 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
We have more fresh snow! I have another 15cm to record this morning. It's cold out there and the snow is light and fluffy. A good way to start the day. (After some toast, of course).
It is snowing very nicely as I put this report together, and we're expecting it to continue over the weekend.
There's a lot happening right now as the snow continues to fall and build up. At Annupuri, the Jumbo Number 1 quad is moving this morning, so now the Paradise and Junior courses are available at that ski area. The second pair lift at Niseko Moiwa is also open. There are also now more runs opening up at Hanazono, and it looks like they are preparing the gondola too.
I am checking and updating the list below each morning, so scroll down a little and check that out. Of course, things can change during the day - and probably will at this stage of the season. I will do my best to try and catch it all for you every morning. Gambarimasu!
Update 10am:
Hanazono gondola is moving and available up to mid-point.
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The small ski area behind Kutchan train station called Asahigaoka is set to open for the season on Friday, 27th December.
Asahigaoka may be small and most definitely not as gnarly as the nearby famous Niseko ski areas. However, if you are new to skiing and want to avoid the crowds, and want to spend a bit (a lot!) less, it might be worth considering.
I was talking with Andrew from SnowJapan HQ yesterday about a few things. Japanese ski areas are his specialist subject, and he has a nerdy, in-depth knowledge of what is happening nationwide. While many ski areas are increasing lift ticket prices this year, and some big names by an alarming amount, it was a bit surprising to learn that quite a few are actually keeping their prices unchanged. And that includes Asahigaoka, which is interesting considering its location at the entrance to Nisekoland. A one day ticket for an adult there is just 1,500 yen again this year. I have mentioned this before in these reports, but some small ski areas in Hokkaido are entirely free to use, though you might have to deal with surface rope-tow lifts... which is definitely an experience in itself!
I think the point is that if you venture away from the fame and fashion of the big names, and sometimes not by far, there are definitely cheaper, less well-known spots to discover. They might not be for you but might be well-suited to others. I suppose some people visiting Niseko or Japan in general from overseas might not be overly bothered by costs so much, especially when compared with locals (for whom it is becoming a real issue, as I discussed a few times last season). But even taking out that factor, some of the smaller and less well-known ski areas can be real gems and offer a distinctly different experience.
Anyway, it's just a thought for the day as I noticed the opening date of Asahigaoka.
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Individual ski area information for Friday 6th December 2024
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: 18cm
Base: 15cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 85cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 65cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
Hanazono Number 1 lift
Hanazono Number 2 quad
Gondola (available up to mid-point)
Courses:
Juicy Fruit
Mango Salad
Silver Dream
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Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 20cm
Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 110cm (+15cm change since yesterday)
Base: 50cm (+20cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
Ace Gondola
Ace Family quad
Ace Number 3 pair
Courses:
Sennoki Course
Family Course
Shirakaba Course
Center Course
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 0cm (huh?)
Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 20cm (0cm change since yesterday) *incorrect
Base: 0cm (0cm change since yesterday) *incorrect
Lifts:
Upper Village Gondola
Village Express
Community Chair
Banzai Chair
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 0cm (hmmm)
Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 50cm
Base: 30cm
Lifts:
Dream Number 1 quad
Jumbo Number 1 quad
Courses:
Paradise
Junior
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
Number 1 pair lift
Number 2 pair lift
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Night skiing
Floodlit night skiing is planned from Saturday 14th December 2024 until Wednesday 23rd March 2025.
Niseko Now 2024-2025 season |
Data as of Friday 6th December 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 82cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 12 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 18cm (5th December) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 44cm 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.