Niseko Now: Thursday 6th March 2025
- Mar 6, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 6cm
Snowfall at base this season 720cm
Posted on Thursday 6th March 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It might not be particularly cold this morning but as I write this there is some nice snow falling from the skies.
I have measured 6cm as of 8:10am, with up to 15cm of snowfall being reported by Hirafu ski area this morning. There should be more to report tomorrow, too.
Visibility is limited at the start of the day.
Hopefully lifts will be able to get moving as planned.
------------------------------------
Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -2℃, light breeze, 5cm snowfall in 12h coming from the passing low-pressure system. Moiwa 800m: -5℃, NNE3.8m/s, low-pressure snowfall 10cm, no cronice development. Mikaeri 750m: -6℃, NNE0.9m/s, moderate visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -6℃, ENE3.1m/s, 10cm low-pressure snowfall, 5cm at the base. Hirafu Hanazono: -6.4℃, N3.2m/s, mild wind, 5-10 cm snowfall in 12h. Coastal data: Benkei cape E7m/s, Kamui cape E4m/s, 1024hPa, 0.6m waves.
A fresh and uniform coat of snowfall, generated by the low-pressure system passing along the pacific coast, has blanketed the mountain top to bottom. The wind remained mild as the atmospheric pressure gradient was flat, and there are no notable developments of slabs. According to the test results and weather data evaluation, reports from CAT operators and the patrollers, the overall avalanche risk is low, however please respect the ski patrol’s decisions at the gates. If the snowfall continues, loose snow avalanches are likely to occur in 30+degree slopes. There might not be a prominent weak layer and slides slowly, however are heavy and can be dangerous. These types of slides can happen in the treeruns too. If you’re caught in one, try holding onto a tree. These slides could also stimulate deeper layers and trigger larger surface slab avalanches around 1100m elevation. Be extra cautious in valleys/bowls with large vertical differences, such as O-sawa and Kozan-no-sawa (Annupuri bowl and Backbowl). Avalanches are not an accident as long as nobody is caught in it. Weak sunlight makes it difficult to see. Beware of falls and hitting trees. The wind is forecasted to pick up later in the day. Keep an eye out on the snowfall transition. There is no safety in this sport. The snow is good for now. Going outside the resorts without using the gates is severely prohibited in Niseko. Please don’t duck ropes. Have a nice day.
------------------------------------
Individual ski area information for Thursday 6th March 2025
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 10cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 300cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 215cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
The gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 15cm
Base: 15cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 350cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (+10cm 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
------------------
Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 230cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 185cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 7cm
Base: 6cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 270cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
------------------------------------
Night skiing
Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Wednesday 23rd March 2025
Niseko Now 2024-2025 season |
Data as of Thursday 6th March 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 720cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 83 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 196cm reported on 24 days March 2025 snowfall 14cm 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.