Greetings on this beautiful early morning here in Niseko. The sun is out, the clear blue skies are looking lovely and it's also actually rather cold. My trusty thermometer outside was telling me -5C just a little earlier. That's a bit more like it! I do like a good cold morning in winter. It just feels right doesn't it?

So yes, lovely blue skies this morning and it is going to be a fine day. It will surely warm up some during the day and the local forecast says it might do so up to around 3 degrees here at base.

Tomorrow there'll be more cloud to start off with and unfortunately we will probably get rained on in the afternoon. There are signs that tomorrow might be the last of this current generally milder period, with a much wanted return to more winter-like conditions proper by Wednesday. Hopefully we can expect snowfall on Wednesday. And on Thursday. And maybe on Friday... now that sounds good to me, please don't let us down Nature-san!

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There are more and more excited people arriving in Niseko now and that is only going to continue as we enter the second half of December and the first of the big holidays - Christmas. You can almost feel the 'pressure' (for want of a better word) for more snow and for the mountain to be able to get fully open.

That should not be too far away. Can't wait!

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Remember that at the moment the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri resort upper mountain connections are not open and so if you want to get between them you'll need to get to base and take the road bus.

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Niseko Avalanche Report

Niseko base 6am: -5℃, no snowfall, mild breeze bluebird. Coastal data: Benkei cape SSW2m/s, Kamui cape SW6m/s, 0.7m waves. NNW5m/s at 1000m altitude.

No snowclouds can be observed and temperature is relatively low in the high-pressure system. Thaw is continued until tomorrow.
Avalanches can occur even in shallow conditions. Hard slab avalanche caused by the collapsing of the 15cm crust layer is to be considered in Kozan no Sawa (Backbowl) 1200m sidewalls’ 30-40 grade slopes.

There has been a case of fatal avalanche accident at this place. Riding steep and large vertical drop slope involves great danger. Better not over-estimate your skills.
The current conditions may not the best, but will turn better soon.

Be flexible with your plans.

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Resort specific news as of 8:30am - subject to change during the day

The lifts market with an asterix (*) below are planned to be open for night skiing

Niseko Grand Hirafu
Lifts planned to be running:
- Ace Family pair*
- Ace Number 2 Quad Center Four (for transport)
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Hirafu Gondola (for transport)
- King Number 3 triple
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- Swinging Monkey
Courses planned to be open:
- Family
- Beginners access
- Center
- Shirakaba
- Kogen
- Boyo
- Holiday
- Rinkan (lower part)
- Jumbo
- Connecting Course

Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts planned to be running:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
Courses planned to be open:
- Parallel
- Silver Dream
- Stairway to Heaven
- Setsuzoku course
- 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
- Silver
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Official resort snow depths:

Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 140cm
Base - 35cm

Niseko Village:
Top - 60cm
Base - 20cm

Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 55cm
Base - 30cm

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Niseko Grand Hirafu 6 day weather and snow forecast