Niseko Now: Monday 9th December 2024
- Dec 9, 2024
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 5cm
Snowfall at base this season 119cm
Posted on Monday 9th December 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It is snowing lightly but is also quite bright early this morning. I can even see some faint hints of blue behind the clouds in places.
It felt quite windy when I was out just a little earlier, but we don't seem to be expecting that to be an issue.
I have a further 5cm of snow to report since my last report.
I have to post early today and so it's before I can confirm open runs - such information from below is from yesterday.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base 6am: -4℃, 5cm snowfall in 12h, decent visibility. Moiwa 800m: -7.9℃, NNW5.9m/s (max12m/s), visibility not so clear. Hanazono 1000m: -8.7℃, wind 3.4m/s direction unknown, decent visibility. Coastal data: Benkei cape NNW13m/s, Kamui cape W8m/s, 1012hPa, 1.7m waves and decreasing.
The isobars have spread out but snowfall from the NW continues. Snowdrifts are slowly developing above 800m elevation. Assessing data and morning observations, the overall avalanche risk is low.
Avalanche are more likely to occur during storms. It is better to avoid steep slopes with dense wind-load during bad weather, because these unstable slabs can let go very easily whether a weak layer is present or not. Winter mountains are inherently dangerous, precaution is key to stay safe.
All gates are yet to be prepared. The snowpack is still insufficient. Groomers are in epic conditions. Beware of over speeding and hitting trees. Overconfidence leads to accidents. Have a nice day.
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Individual ski area information for Monday 9th December 2024
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: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 105cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 84cm (+9cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All four lifts are now operating
Courses:
Juicy Fruit
Yotei Sunset
Parallel
Mango Salad
Silver Dream
Crystal Garden
Stairway to Heaven
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Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 15cm
Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 145cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 65cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
Ace Family quad
Ace Gondola
King Gondola
King Holiday pair
King Number 3 quad
Swinging Monkey
Courses:
Family
Sennoki
Alpen
King area access
Beginners access
Green
Kogen
Boyo
Dai-no-kabe
Kokutai
Holiday
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 70cm
Base: 60cm
Lifts:
Upper Village Gondola
Village Express
Community Chair
Banzai Chair
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 70cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 60cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
Annupuri Gondola
Dream Number 1 quad
Jumbo Number 1 quad
Courses:
Utopia
Shirakaba
Paradise
Family
Junior
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
Number 1 pair lift
Number 2 pair lift
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Night skiing
Floodlit night skiing is planned from Saturday 14th December 2024 until Wednesday 23rd March 2025.
Niseko Now 2024-2025 season |
Data as of Monday 9th December 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 119cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 15 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 18cm (5th and 8th December) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 81cm 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.