Niseko Now: Sunday 6th May 2018
- May 6, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 4, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 1260cm
Posted on Sunday 6th May 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
I'll quickly move on from the cloudy, rainy conditions of yesterday. There's still a lot of cloud around this morning but it is not raining. However, we might not escape some rain later on this afternoon. It's not the most exciting way to end the season, but there you go...
So here we are. It's Sunday 6th May and today is the last day of the official ski season here in the Niseko area with Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Annupuri and Niseko Village all part open for the day. It's worth pointing out that even today the official snow depth on the upper slopes of Niseko Grand Hirafu is 255cm!
A look back at the 2017-2018 season
As has become tradition, over the winter season I add a ‘monthly review’ post at the beginning of each month. And like last year, I will keep this final wrap up relatively short because those monthly reports pretty much cover the season as it is happening.
For reference, here they are:
March 2018 monthly review
February 2018 monthly review
January 2018 monthly review
December 2017 monthly review
November 2017 monthly review
And of course, please do play around with the info on the Snowfall Analysis page, which you can get to using that big blue button up top. Let’s reading.
As the 2017-2018 season closes, here is the snowfall that I have measured near the base of Niseko Grand Hirafu over the last six seasons over the month of April:
April 2018: 13cm
April 2017: 0cm
April 2016: 6cm
April 2015: 3cm
April 2014: 13cm
April 2013: 32cm
It's always a bonus when we get fresh snow in the month of April. More important and excite is the grand total for the entire season.
Observed snowfall at base for the 2017-2018 season (total):
Cue drum roll...
17/18 season total: 1260cm
16/17 season total: 688cm
15/16 season total: 992cm
14/15 season total: 1144cm
13/14 season total: 1163cm
12/13 season total: 1493cm
So, we end the 2017/2018 season with me observing about 12.5m of snowfall nearby Hirafu base. That is way more than last season of course, and more than the three seasons prior to that as well. Pretty good.
Take that, most other ski resorts in the world!! ;)
And for completeness, here is the data that the Japan Meteorological Agency report from their observation station in Kutchan town:
April 2018: 25cm
April 2017: 4cm
April 2016: 18cm
April 2015: 3cm
April 2014: 24cm
April 2013: 27cm
17/18 season total: 1038cm
16/17 season total: 835cm
15/16 season total: 841cm
14/15 season total: 969cm
13/14 season total: 946cm
12/13 season total: 1051cm
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Now that the 2017-2018 season has finished, it becomes part of history. Next up is - cue big reveal! - the 2018-2019 season. And 2018-2019 has a lot to live up to.
I will be here, hoping for a top quality season. But however it pans out, I will be giving you honest reporting based on exactly what I see and hear. And I will keep any cheese on my toast!
Anyway, that’s it from me for the moment. I am now going to go into hibernation mode. I will be back with you (hopefully) totally refreshed in November.
I hope you enjoyed reading my reports this season. I did my best and I'm happy that I was able to post every day since the lifts started moving through until today. If you want to send me any comments you can do so here. Please note that unfortunately I will not be able to answer any questions, whether they are about Niseko or toast; but I really do appreciate reading any feedback (and I thank anyone sending comments in advance).
Thank you and see you in November.
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Sunday 6th May 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 1260cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 99 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (31st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 406cm reported on 27 days January 2018 snowfall 305cm reported on 26 days February 2018 snowfall 299cm reported on 24 days March 2018 snowfall 49cm reported on 8 days April 2018 snowfall 13cm reported on 3 days May 2018 snowfall 0cm |
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.