Niseko Now: Monday 6th May 2019
- May 6, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 5, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 951cm
Posted on Monday 6th May 2019 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
It's Monday 6th May and today is the last day of the official ski season here in the Niseko area - Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Annupuri remain part open until this afternoon.
It is an overcast kind of morning with some sunshine and a bit of a southerly wind - at the start of the day the top King lift at Hirafu is on hold. We are forecast some rain later in the day but it might only start after the last lifts close for the day.
A look back at the 2018-2019 season:
Regular readers will know that during the winter season I add a ‘monthly review’ post at the beginning of each month. I will keep this final wrap up relatively short because those monthly reports pretty much cover the story of the season.
As the 2018-2019 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 2019: 6cm
April 2018: 13cm
April 2017: 0cm
April 2016: 6cm
April 2015: 3cm
April 2014: 13cm
April 2013: 32cm
Fresh snow in the month of April always feels like a surprise bonus and this season was no different. It’s always fun to see fresh snow but in such small amounts it doesn’t really make much of a difference.
On the last day of the season last year, the official snow depth on the upper slopes of Niseko Grand Hirafu was 255cm. Today it is 160cm.
Observed snowfall at base for the 2018-2019 season (total):
18/19 season total: 951cm
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 2018/2019 season with me observing about 9.5m of snowfall nearby Hirafu base.
That is about 3m less than I observed over the 2017/2018 season; about 3m more than I observed over the 2016/2017 season and similar to what I observed over the 2015/2016 season. Remember, all numbers coming to you from the same spot.
While that number is of course very interesting, what is more important than just the number is how and when all that snow fell over the season.
The tap seemingly being turned off around mid-February this year springs to mind as being one of the big talking points, and that may well provide food-for-thought for people thinking about a spring trip next year. But of course, you really never know; there's every chance we could enjoy really good consistent snowfall next year through March. Muzukashii desu ne!
So again, please do check out my monthly reviews and the Snowfall Analysis page and archive reports to dig deeper into the season and past seasons.
As another bit of data, here is what the Japan Meteorological Agency reported from their observation station in Kutchan town:
April 2019: 16cm
April 2018: 25cm
April 2017: 4cm
April 2016: 18cm
April 2015: 3cm
April 2014: 24cm
April 2013: 27cm
18/19 season total: 883cm
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
---
Anyway, that’s it from me for now.
As much as I love my Niseko Now duties, it has been a very long season and I am looking forward to a bit of a rest. I will soon be entering my summer hibernation mode but I plan to be back here in November, hopefully totally refreshed and hungry for more.
And I promise you that next year I will once again keep my reporting real and honest, and the Niseko Now reports will be a strictly 'no cheese' zone. (As much as I like cheese, I'll keep it firmly out of the reports and either put it on my toast or make a sandwich or something).
I sincerely hope that you enjoyed reading my reports this season. I did my best - cue determined look and clenched fist to convey said determination! - and I am once again happy that I was able to manage a report every day since the lifts started moving right through until today.
Please note that unfortunately I will not be able to answer any specific questions (whether they are about Niseko or toast-related); but I really do appreciate reading any feedback and I thank anyone in advance for sending in comments.
Take care. Thank you. And see you in November.
Bai-bai.
Niseko Now 2018-2019 season |
Data as of Monday 6th May 2019 Total snowfall at base so far 951cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 94 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (29th December) November 2018 snowfall 84cm reported on 8 days December 2018 snowfall 333cm reported on 26 days January 2019 snowfall 285cm reported on 25 days February 2019 snowfall 198cm reported on 20 days March 2019 snowfall 45cm reported on 12 days April 2019 snowfall 6cm reported on 3 days May 2019 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.