Niseko Now: Monday 7th December 2015
- Dec 7, 2015
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 2, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 15cm
Snowfall at base this season 127cm
Posted on Monday 7th December 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
The snowfall has been continuing here in Niseko with another 15cm of snow on the ground by my base in Hirafu. Good to see it gradually increasing these last few days.
Light snow falling early on this morning but it is probably going to be clearing up today. There's some break in the clouds now even and some sunshine making it through in places. Expect more of that.
Winds affected the operations of the Hanazono lift yesterday from the early afternoon - I just made it before that happened. That shouldn't be happening today. There were some fine conditions to be found yesterday and I would expect this morning to be very good too.
It looks like we have some more terrain planned to be open from this morning at Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Hanazono, updated below.
Calmer conditions are expected over the next few days at least. Not only in terms of wind but clearer skies as well. There's not much in terms of potential snowfall on the weekly forecast as it stands now, rather quite a lot of sun and slightly warmer temperatures... of course hopefully it won't warm up too much.
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Resort specific news as of 8:30am - subject to change during the day
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Lifts planned to be running:
- Ace Family Pair
- Ace Number 2 Quad Center Four (for transport)
- Ace Number 3
- Hirafu Gondola (for transport)
- King Number 3 triple
- Swinging Monkey
- Hanazono Number 1 quad
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
Courses planned to be open:
- Family Course
- Alpen Course
- Beginners access
- Center Course
- Shirakaba Course
- Green Course
- Rinkan Course (lower part)
- Jumbo Course
- Kokutai Course
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts planned to be running:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad (for transport)
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
Courses planned to be open:
- Parallel Course
- Silver Dream (upper part)
- Stairway to Heaven
- Setsuzoku course
- Legend of Shinya
- Crystal Garden
- Yotei Sunset
- Yotei Sunset (ungroomed)
Niseko Village
Lifts planned to be operating:
- Niseko Gondola
- Community Chair
- Banzai Chair
Courses planned to be open:
- Dabesa Course
- Junkyard
- Banzai Course
- Next Stage
- Final Fling
- Shaky Knees
Niseko Annupuri
Lifts planned to be operating:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Jumbo Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair
Courses planned to be open:
- Utopia
- Shirakaba
- Paradise
- Junior
- Family
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'Nighta' should be starting on Saturday 12th December 2015.
Nighta is available at Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri (none in the Niseko Hanazono area)
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Official resort snow depths:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 160cm
Base - 70cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 80cm
Base - 40cm
Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 70cm
Base - 50cm
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Monday 7th December 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 127cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 9 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 20cm (30th November) November 2015 snowfall 61cm reported on 4 days December 2015 snowfall 66cm 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.