Niseko Now: Thursday 6th February 2025
- Feb 6, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 24cm
Snowfall at base this season 558cm
Posted on Thursday 6th February 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
This is more like what we expect (and love).
Heavy snowfall since yesterday.
Looking at JMA maps, it would seem that the most snow (in Hokkaido) over the last 24 hours has been to the north in Akaigawa, Kyowa, Niki and Furubira. Less so as you go south into Niseko Town and beyond.
Hirafu is reporting a very impressively bold-sounding 60cm of fresh top/bottom (and increasing their upper snow depth by 70cm), while Hanazono is saying 35-37cm. Annupuri, on a roll with reporting numbers, is saying 30cm (base) to 40cm (upper).
It should be noted that it is definitely one of those days when wind has been blowing the very light snow around. That makes it difficult to pin down exactly how much has fallen as there is more/less wind drifts everywhere you look. My main measuring spot is quite good at being relatively unaffected by wind (though it obviously can't totally avoid it). I also took into account a few extra observations nearby.
My measurement is not quite as large as what the ski areas are reporting, coming in at 24cm.
Remember, it is, of course, normal to expect more snow at higher elevations.
Detailed numbers to one side; the important thing is that we have received some very good snowfall since yesterday making for what should be a complete reset and excellent conditions. :)
Unfortunately, the price to pay for this special delivery has been lift disruption. The top lifts aren't opening again this morning.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -4℃, 40cm snowfall. Moiwa 800m: -7.6℃, NW8.1m/s (30m/s@2am), large cornices and snowdrifts development. Mikaeri 750m: -7℃, NW4.6m/s, stormy and bad visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -9.5℃, WNW9.0m/s, 150cm slabs. Hirafu Hanazono: -9.1℃, WNW6.1m/s (30m/s@2am). Coastal data: Benkei cape NW18m/s, Kamui capeW11m/s, 994hPa, 3.3m waves (3am NW18m/s, 4.7m waves).
The low pressure system positions near Moneron Island, Sakhalin. The atmospheric pressure gradient is steep in the Mamiya Strait and Sea of Japan. Wave heights have reached 4m and the sea and the mountains are in very rough condition. Slabs of 150+cm have developed in areas above 1000m elevation, 100cm thick dense and heavy windload snow is covering the slopes below 1000m. The avalanche risk is extremely high in all elevation, aspects and terrain types today. All peak gates will be kept closed. The charlifts and gondolas may start running as the wind mellows down, however please refrain from crossing the boundary ropes to access fresh tracks. The windload snow’s weight grows in proportion to the wind speed. The heavier it gets, the slabs get unstable and no matter the presence of obvious weak layers, the tension holding the snow particles together are prone to fracture and cause an avalanche. These types of avalanches can occur instantaneously and be extremely destructive. It is strongly advised not to stimulate cornice slopes and knolls today. This information is issued to prevent accidents in the Niseko backcountry area. Please respect the Niseko Rules. The conditions are very hazardous in the surrounding mountains too. Anyone thinking of going touring today, please be extra careful.
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Individual ski area information for Thursday 6th February 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: 37cm
Base: 35cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 282cm (+32cm change since Wednesday)
Base: 215cm (+20cm change since Wednesday)
Lifts:
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: 60cm woohoo!
Base: 60cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 355cm (+70cm change since yesterday)
Base: 150cm (+30cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
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: 190cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 150cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
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 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 40cm
Base: 30cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 220cm (+20cm change since yesterday)
Base: 150cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
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 Thursday 6th February 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 558cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 60 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (6th February) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 311cm reported on 28 days January 2025 snowfall 161cm reported on 19 days February 2025 snowfall 48cm 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.