Niseko Now: Tuesday 8th December 2015
- Dec 8, 2015
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 2, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 7cm
Snowfall at base this season 134cm
Posted on Tuesday 8th December 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Hello everyone and this morning there is less cloud than there has been the last few snowy days - better visibility and more views to enjoy.
There has been another 7cm of snowfall since my last report here at base and no doubt more on the mountain.
We are expecting today to be fine weather-wise. The clouds should clear somewhat, the sun might well make an appearance (perhaps an extended appearance) and wind shouldn't be an issue. A very fine morning to enjoy some riding.
Milder temperatures are forecast for the rest of this week and it would seem we are going to have to make do with the snow that we have as there's not much promise of snow on the forecast through until at least the end of the weekend.
Today more of the courses at the resorts are open. It's not easy keeping track of exactly what is open early season! I've tried to keep a track on that information below - and will be very happy when it's an 'all open' situation.
Note that the skiable connection between the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri resorts is not yet open.
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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
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Hirafu Gondola (for transport)
- King Number 3 triple
- Swinging Monkey
Courses planned to be open:
- Family Course
- Kogen Course
- Boyo Course
- Alpen Course
- Beginners access
- Center Course
- Shirakaba Course
- Green Course
- Rinkan Course (lower part)
- Jumbo Course
- Kokutai Course
- Holiday Course
- Connecting 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 (ungroomed)
Niseko Village
Lifts planned to be operating:
- Niseko Gondola
- Community Chair
- Banzai Chair
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
- Dynamic
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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 - 70cm
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Tuesday 8th December 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 134cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 10 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 20cm (30th November) November 2015 snowfall 61cm reported on 4 days December 2015 snowfall 73cm reported on 6 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.