Niseko Now: Sunday 6th February 2022
- Feb 6, 2022
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 8cm
Snowfall at base this season 819cm
Posted on Sunday 6th February 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
And the sun is out this morning. A modest amount of new fresh snowfall since yesterday and what feels like a calm start to this Sunday morning. Mt Yotei is looking all shy with a collection of fluffy clouds covering the top area.
So it's nice weather and very nice snow conditions. Sounds like a good Sunday morning too. I'm going to make it even better with some toast now.
More snow is on the way though by mid week there might be a spell of a few days or more of clearer conditions.
I will keep my recap in the report due to what I believe is less people not checking out reports over a weekend. (Naughty!)
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The 2021-2022 season so far: until the end January 2022
It’s time for the look back at January. There are some general non-snow related observations at the end, but let’s start with some snowy numbers.
Here are my observed snowfall numbers for the month:
January 2022: 325cm
January 2021: 387cm
January 2020: 224cm
January 2019: 285cm
January 2018: 305cm
January 2017: 152cm
January 2016: 303cm
January 2015: 257cm
January 2014: 461cm
January 2013: 442cm
So I didn’t see as much as last season but more than the six previous seasons.
I was able to post new snowfall (at base, of course) on an impressive 30 of the 31 days in January 2022. The only day with no new snowfall at base was 20th January. On a few days there was just a light dusting, but other that the month saw some nice consistent numbers. Particularly at the beginning of the month and towards the end.
Here are my season-to-date numbers, from the beginning of this season to the end of January 2022:
2021/2022 season up to end of January 2021: 717cm
2020/2021 season up to end of January 2021: 797cm
2019/2020 season up to end of January 2020: 516cm
2018/2019 season up to end of January 2019: 702cm
2017/2018 season up to end of January 2018: 899cm
2016/2017 season up to end of January 2017: 445cm
2015/2016 season up to end of January 2016: 611cm
2014/2015 season up to end of January 2015: 806cm
2013/2014 season up to end of January 2014: 859cm
2012/2013 season up to end of January 2013: 979cm
Here is how much of the total snowfall for a season we have already had by the end of January in previous seasons:
By the end of January 2021, as a % of the season total: about 66%
By the end of January 2020, as a % of the season total: about 71%
By the end of January 2019, as a % of the season total: about 74%
By the end of January 2018, as a % of the season total: about 71%
By the end of January 2017, as a % of the season total: about 65%
By the end of January 2016, as a % of the season total: about 62%
By the end of January 2015, as a % of the season total: about 70%
By the end of January 2014, as a % of the season total: about 74%
By the end of January 2013, as a % of the season total: about 66%
If we have already received, say, 70% of the snowfall for this season, that means we should be looking at there being another 3m of so.
(4m or 5m please!)
Looking to this month, here is how much snowfall I have recorded during the month of February in the last nine winter seasons. The number in brackets is the amount of snowfall from the beginning of the season through the end of February.
February 2021: 325cm (1122cm)
February 2020: 143cm (659cm)
February 2019: 198cm (900cm)
February 2018: 299cm (1198cm)
February 2017: 160cm (605cm)
February 2016: 266cm (877cm)
February 2015: 196cm (1002cm)
February 2014: 178cm (1037cm)
February 2013: 316cm (1295cm)
Here we are in February 2022.
The COVID-19 numbers in Japan have risen to levels previously not seen here (pretty much reflecting other countries in many respects) and we are officially under a ‘quasi state of emergency’. That is meant to last until 20th February, as things stand now. From what I can tell though, the general public don’t seem to be quite as bothered about it all this time. The almost universal mask wearing continues and I’d say that generally people are being cautious, but they are also going about their daily lives.
That doesn’t really help with things like tourism though.
Niseko remains uncharacteristically quiet, and the many people who rely on tourism are sitting tight (or certainly trying to) and remain hopeful that things will be improving soon.
All the while, the people lucky enough to be here are able to enjoy the consistent snow that Niseko offers - just without the crowds. I’ll admit that there have been times in recent years when I have wished there were less people around, but I’m now definitely looking forward to having more of you here! People definitely create an atmosphere that (I feel) is somewhat lacking now.
In other news that I have sort of hinted at before, SnowJapan is due to get a big update this month. When that happens, my reports will suddenly look rather different. However, what I do (and what I post) will remain the same.
From what I have seen it is clear that a huge amount of time, love and care has been lavished on the site. I think we are all in for a real treat. O-tanoshimi-ni!
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PS The Japan Meteorological Agency seems to have changed the way they publish numbers since last season. I’m not finding the same corresponding data in the new set-up - that’s why I am not posting those this season.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -8℃, calm, 15cm snow in 12h, 30cm in 24h. Moiwa 800m: -10℃, NW10m/s, 30cm snowfall with large 100cm snowdrift developments. Annupuri 1150m: -11℃, NW10m/s, 40cm snowfall with snowdrift development. Hirafu peak ridge 1250m: -12℃, strong westerly wind and large development of snowdrifts. Coastal data Benkei cape: NNW14m/s, Kamui cape: NW10m/s, 1007hPa, 1.5m waves. Mountain weather data on separate site.
A weak winter pressure distribution is continuing, and snowdrifts have grown largely and rapidly in leeward slopes above 800m elevation between 1to 6pm yesterday. According to observations, the avalanche risk has settled in areas under 1000m elevations. Peak gates are scheduled to open. Seek advice from the ski patrol before stepping out of the gates. This information is issued for the people using chairlifts to ski the out of bounds areas. Overconfidence will result in accidents. Beware of sudden weather changes.
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Planned ski area operations: Sunday 6th February 2022
The below snow depth and snowfall data is manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day (nature might intervene).
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 400cm (-15cm)
- Base: 240cm (+5cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Ace Family quad
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- King Number 3 quad
- King Number 4
- Swinging Monkey
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 350cm (-10cm)
- Base: 275cm (-8cm)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 20cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Hanazono Number 1
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
- Hanazono Symphony Gondola [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 270cm (no change)
- Base: 200cm (no change)
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 25cm
- Base: 25cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad [* open for night skiing until 7:30pm]
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair
- Jumbo Number 4 pair
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 290cm
- Base: 230cm
Planned lift operations (subject to weather conditions):
- Niseko Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair [* open for night skiing until 7:00pm]
- Banzai Chair
- Wonderland Chair
Niseko Now 2021-2022 season |
Data as of Sunday 6th February 2022 Total snowfall at base so far 819cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 65 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (23rd December) November 2021 snowfall 85cm reported on 6 days December 2021 snowfall 307cm reported on 23 days January 2022 snowfall 325cm reported on 30 days February 2022 snowfall 102cm reported on 6 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.