Welcome back to Niseko Now

The official snow season ends today, with Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu and Niseko Annupuri Ski Resort finishing up this afternoon.

It actually looks like there has been some fresh snow at higher elevations. Perhaps up to a few cm or so in places? (None lower down).

This morning is... wet. With limited visibility up on the open areas, it's really not very nice.

Lifts are operating this morning, with the three at Hirafu and two at Annupuri scheduled to be open.

It is cloudy and windy with spots of rain this morning (though that isn't expected to last).

Fine clear skies this morning and it is nice and bright. But quite windy too.

Blue sky with some cloud is probably my best description for the early morning.

Welcome to Showa Day, the first of the holidays in the famous Golden Week period.

It's a rather cloudy morning, but quite bright in places.

I was woken at just before 5:30am this morning by a bit of a wobble; a fairly strong earthquake in the central-southern (is that a word) region of Hokkaido.

It's another fine morning with mostly clear blue skies and just a touch of thin cloud.

Hirafu ski area appears to be reporting 'snow' up top, and just cloud down at base (which is what I observe).

Hirafu ski area appears to be reporting 'snow' up top, and just cloud down at base (which is what I observe).