The snow continued yesterday and we have another 15-20cm of the wonderful stuff around the village this morning. I could get used to saying that every morning!

Niseko Grand Hirafu's official (upper) snow depth has reached 300cm this morning.

Earlier on it was -6C, currently around -4C according to my trusty thermometer outside. It is cloudy with light snow falling as I write the report, though fairly decent visibility on the slopes. The snow clouds don't look like they're about to move on either with snow lined up pretty much every day over the coming week. Look for particularly cold temperatures and heavier snowfall late weekend into early next week, possibly along with strong winds again.

As more and more people arrive for the Christmas week, Niseko is certainly getting busier and the party atmosphere levels rising. With the excellent conditions we have and amount of snow to enjoy, there's a lot of happy people here at the moment.

Early on this morning it looks like just the top Hanazono Number 3 lift and the King Number 3 lift at Niseko Grand Hirafu operating at reduced speed, but other than that open as planned.

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Lifts Operating (at time of writing)
Asterix denotes planned 'nighta' operations

Niseko Grand Hirafu
Ace Family Pair*
Ace Number 2 Quad (Center Four)*
Ace Number 3 Pair
King Number 3 Triple*
King Number 4
Hirafu Gondola*
Holiday Number 1 Pair*
Swinging Monkey

Niseko Annupuri
Annupuri Gondola
Jumbo Number 1 Quad*
Jumbo Number 2 Pair
Jumbo Number 3 Pair
Jumbo Number 4 Pair

Niseko Village
Niseko Gondola
Community Chair*
Banzai Chair*
Wonderland Chair
Morino Chair

Niseko Hanazono
Hanazono Number 1 Quad
Hanazono Number 2 Quad
Hanazono Number 2 Quad

Official Resort Snow Depths

Grand Hirafu
Top - 300cm
Bottom - 160cm

Niseko Annupuri
Top - 190cm
Bottom - 190cm

Niseko Village
Top - 210cm
Bottom - 150cm

Niseko Hanazono
Top - 285cm
Bottom - 150cm

Avalanche Information:

Niseko base 6am: -5C, 10cm of crystal snow and no development of snowdrifts. Coastal wind: WNW11m/s. Moiwa peak: -7C and NW wind with notable development of snowdrifts that are easily collapsible. The snow in the trees below 800m is stable.

Gates 1, 4 & 6 are scheduled to open around 10am. Avalanche hazards up to 80cm thickness are still to be considered in leeward slopes above treeline with heavy snowdrift loads. Potential trigger would be the Dec 19th layer or the weak bonding within Dec 20th layer. Heavy soft slabs are not stabilized and are still likely to slide. Avoid cornices and knolls.

The snow is in an overall great condition. Ask for ski patrol's advice where necessary. Do not duck ropes to seek fresh lines, one track left under the rope would lead many others to do the same and increase the chances of accidents to happen. The Niseko Rules have been determined to secure people's freedom to step out of bounds, but at the same time to protect the minimum safety of all resort users, please do respect them to keep Niseko a powder lover's utopia.