Niseko Now: Wednesday 8th November 2023
- Nov 8, 2023
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
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Posted on Wednesday 8th November 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
After coming out of hibernation a few weeks ago, I have been gradually waking up and filling myself with lots of delicious toast. I now feel all (almost) ready for the season and am increasingly excited at the thought of getting back out there on the snow... and reporting on the season for you.
With the ski areas in Niseko planning on opening on the first weekend of December, we are now just over 3 weeks away from the official start of the season. For that to happen, of course, we need our beautiful precious snow. There's not much to report just yet, but it looks like temperatures will drop over the weekend, and I might have something excite to report to you next week. Let it be so!
I have a few things to talk about before the season starts.
Today, let's take a look at ski lift ticket prices, which are more expensive across the board this year. And in some cases, eye-wateringly so!
Let's check them out. Below are the charges for a 1-day ski lift ticket, bought from the ticket office, on the day. Most expensive first:
Rusutsu: 11,500 yen (over 30% increase; last year 8,800 yen)
Niseko United: 9,500 yen (about 12% increase; last year 8,500 yen)
Niseko Moiwa: 8,800 yen (60% increase; last year 5,500 yen)
Niseko Tokyu Hirafu: 7,800 yen (about 18% increase; 6,600 yen last year)
Kiroro: 7,400 yen (about 14% increase; last year 6,500 yen)
Yikes! Ski lift tickets are increasing across Japan this year, but some of these really stand out.
(It's worth noting that cheaper tickets are usually available online, so if you are keen to save a few yens, that is probably a good idea).
It perhaps just goes to show how much these big Hokkaido resorts are aiming for the 'inbound' market. I know some visitors may feel that Japanese ski areas have traditionally been relatively cheap compared with other countries. Still, some locals have a somewhat different perspective on the rapidly rising costs of skiing in their country. One example: I have a Japanese friend in Tokyo who has decided to concentrate on Nagano and Niigata this season and forfeit his annual trip to Niseko. (Due to costs).
While I am sure he is not alone, I somehow doubt that the popularity of the ski areas here will stall. Actually, I expect it to be a very busy season indeed!
I'll be back again with more next week.
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Wednesday 8th November 2023 Total snowfall at base so far 0cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 0 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 0cm November 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.