Niseko Now: Wednesday 8th January 2025
- Jan 8, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 5cm
Snowfall at base this season 414cm
Posted on Wednesday 8th January 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I don't think the top lifts got to open yesterday and all but the base lift at Annupuri were on hold, as were the gondolas at Annupuri and Village. That live web youtube-y feed from the Niseko Village gondola base looked like the region was experiencing a terrifying day-long powerful earthquake, so very wobbly it was. Kowai! Hirafu and Hanazono fared much better.
This morning all lifts are scheduled to be operating as normal and wind is being much less pesky.
It is snowing nicely as I write this, and as of 8:30am I have 5cm to report. Visibility is fine at lower elevations; less so as you get up top.
A much deeper layer of fresh snow would be most welcome (it always is, of course, but hopefully you know what I mean), and perhaps we will get something that could be called 'deep' tomorrow night into Friday. As noted yesterday, the snow until then will probably better be described as being modest.
It was definitely good to feel much colder when I went out for a walk earlier this morning. Mild conditions in winter... it just doesn't feel right.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -7℃, 5cm new snow, some slab accumulation. Moiwa 800m: -9.2℃, NW6.6m/s, 20m/s westerly wind at 10pm caused large slab development. Annupuri 1100m: -11.3℃, WNW5.2m/s, cornice development. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -10.9℃, SSE1.9m/s, trace new snow, slab development at 1200m. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NNW 16 m/s, Kamui Cape WSW10m/s, 1004hPa, 1.8m waves.
The winterly pressure pattern has returned and wind slabs are formed on the leeward side in the western side of the mountains. In the upper part of Kozan-no-sawa (BackBowl), westerly wind till midnight developed slabs on the crusty surface which was formed due to the strong NE wind yesterday. Those slabs are unstable from the test, the general avalanche risk is high in the morning on the slab accumulated slopes above 1000m elevation. In the forest the snow is slightly heavy and catchy in some places, be careful. 15m/s wind and snow will continue above 800m elevation. All the gates are expected to be open. Poor visibility at times. Beware of crashing into trees. Niseko respects the freedom of the skiers and opens the gates as much as possible. But do remember there are always dangers outside of the gates. Do not venture out with children and beginners. Do not duck ropes. Has your beacon switched on? Have a good day.
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Individual ski area information for Wednesday 8th January 2025
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day at the time of writing.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 7cm
Base: 6cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 220cm (-7cm change since yesterday)
Base: 183cm (+1cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are scheduled to be operating
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: 3cm
Base: 3cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 245cm (-10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 130cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
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: 155cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 130cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are operating
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 snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 180cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 130cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
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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 Wednesday 8th January 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 414cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 43 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 23cm (16th December) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 311cm reported on 28 days January 2025 snowfall 65cm reported on 7 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.