Niseko Now: Sunday 7th May 2023
- May 7, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 8, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 1006cm
Posted on Sunday 7th May 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko on this official last day of the 2022-2023 season at Niseko Grand Hirafu, Sunday 7th May 2023.
The three lifts at Hirafu are open for today and it's calm and fine weather this morning. From tomorrow, all the ski lifts will taking a well-earned rest.
Here are the final snowfall numbers for the season and previous seasons – as observed by me, at base, here in Hirafu:
2022-2023 season: 1006cm
2021-2022 season: 1137cm
2020-2021 season: 1210cm
2019-2020 season: 728cm
2018-2019 season: 951cm
2017-2018 season: 1260cm
2016-2017 season: 686cm
2015-2016 season: 989cm
2014-2015 season: 1144cm
2013-2014 season: 1163cm
2012-2013 season: 1491cm
So, just over 10m at 1006cm. It’s always good to get into 4-digit territory!
In terms of raw numbers, that works out as being just under the average of the last 11 seasons. Of course, it is important to emphasise that raw numbers are far from the whole story. The full story - from my daily point of view anyway - can be found in the archive reports. Check the links at the top of the page.
What a season it has been! In many ways, 'almost normal', I suppose.
It started with a lot of excitement in autumn when the Japanese government decided to open up the international borders once again. Potential visitors were excited. Businesses were excited. It was definitely excite for everyone.
Businesses quickly realised their big challenge - having to get back into the swing of things after a few years of relatively relaxed (but not excite) conditions. Finding enough staff to cope with a sudden influx of visitors became a season-long headache. (And not just for Niseko, but seemingly for much of Japan).
Many people who managed to get here were rewarded with a lot of really good and consistent snow through the main part of the season, from mid-December until the end of February.
Then the delivery of fresh snow kind of dried up from the beginning of March. As a result, the 'spring season' has felt particularly long and drawn out this year.
From the beginning of May 2023, Japan has dropped remaining border restrictions (i.e. the need for proof of vaccination or a covid test to enter). No doubt the number of foreign visitors to the country will ramp up further in the coming months.
All being well, the 2023-2024 ski season will be a truly 'normal' season in terms of snow, weather, the experience.... everything. (It occurs to me while thinking about this that defining a 'normal' season has become increasingly difficult).
After thinking about the weather and snow every day for the best part of six months, it's too early for me to start thinking about what next year might bring. So, for now, allow me a much-needed rest from all that. I’ll start paying attention come October.
That’s it, then. I hope you enjoyed following the Niseko Now reports this year. It has once again been a lot of fun to bring them to you.
If you so wish, you can send me a message using the SnowJapan contact form. All Niseko Now-related comments are sent to me. It might not be possible to reply to them personally, but I do read them and appreciate any comments. Thank you.
It is now time to fill myself up on toast and prepare for my prolonged summer hibernation.
Thank you, take care, peace to all, and see you again in November.
Niseko Now 2022-2023 season |
Data as of Sunday 7th May 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 1006cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 90 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (27th & 28th January, 6th February) November 2022 snowfall 17cm reported on 5 days December 2022 snowfall 336cm reported on 27 days January 2023 snowfall 332cm reported on 27 days February 2023 snowfall 289cm reported on 25 days March 2023 snowfall 32cm reported on 6 days April 2023 snowfall 0cm May 2023 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.