Niseko Now: Friday 7th March 2025
- Mar 7, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 723cm
Posted on Friday 7th March 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
There's some more snow to report this morning, yey!
My measurement is slightly over 3cm. As you can see below, ski areas are reporting up to 5cm, though the Avalanche Report is reporting more.
It has been snowing this morning - light in places, more moderate in others - but as I am about to post this report, it has eased off outside my place and it is actually quite bright. There's some blue sky. And some sun too. It's hard to pin down what is happening out there early on and quickly changeable. (It feels like it is clearing up).
A few people picked up on one of my comments in my monthly review earlier this week.
(This one: "I usually quite enjoy the season from March onwards. There may well be less powder, but there are way fewer people around, too..... In some ways, it takes me back to when I first came here, which is probably another reason I like it".)
I'm working on an elaboration.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -6℃, 10cm, 30cm moderate snowdrift development due to strong N winds overnight. Moiwa 800m: -7.6℃, N9.5m/s, 40cm cornice development. Mikaeri 750m: -7℃, NNW2.9m/s, poor visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -10.5℃, NNW7.5m/s, strong wind and snow overnight, snowdrift development. Hirafu Hanazono: -10.0℃, NNE8.5m/s, S20m/s at 11pm. Coastal data: Benkei cape NNW10m/s, Kamui cape N7m/s, 1016hPa, 0.8m waves.
After the low-pressure system moved in, the wind shifted from south to north around 7:00 pm last night and brought strong wind and snow. There were two strong wind periods until morning, an average of 10m, and low waves. Snowfall varies with location, elevation, and time but can be divided into three types: low-pressure front snowfall from the south, subsequent low-pressure snowfall, and northerly wind-driven snow until early morning. The current northerly wind developed wind-driven slabs of up to 50 cm in some places, and at the Mikaeri Bowl and the West Ridge(Nishi One) at 900 m elevation, the low-pressure snowfall has formed a weak layer under the wind-driven snow, making avalanches more likely. Based on the snowfall transition, the new snowdrifts are unstable and very likely to fracture. It is better to avoid riding in the side walls, steep slopes near gullies, and steep slopes in the forest regardless of elevation. Yesterday, a shallow loose snow avalanche occurred in Mikaeri Bowl. All avalanches are dangerous regardless of level, size, or type. If you are buried at the bottom of the valley, you can die. It is better to take it easy today. The gate openings are yet to be decided. Please respect the patrol's decision. Have a good day.
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Individual ski area information for Friday 7th 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: 5cm
Base: 2cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 302cm (+2cm change since yesterday)
Base: 215cm (no change since yesterday)
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: 5cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 350cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 130cm (-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
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 230cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 165cm (-20cm 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: 0cm
Base: 0cm
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
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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 Friday 7th March 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 723cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 84 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 17cm 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.