Good morning on this first day official of the snow season in Niseko.

The Ace Pair lift and Center Course being open for business (as well as the Ace Number 2 Center Four quad to get you there) is what really matters.

Unfortunately, we have been rained on in style since my report yesterday.

Temperatures have been much higher than they were too and so not much chance of snow higher up either really I don't think. Looking for the positive from that, though - as they say, maybe not a bad thing really as it'll do wonders for that base snowpack.

It's still fairly mild this morning and I felt spots of rain outside just before when I was out. We're due to see a return to colder temperatures and snow by the end of today and the forecast continues to look good through the weekend.

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Niseko Grand Hirafu on their official site have the snow depth up top as 170cm! And 45cm for base. I wonder if there's ever been such big numbers there for opening date?!

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Oh yes, a few of you wrote in to SnowJapan regarding my bit of early season silliness yesterday... including the heinous mentioning and mis-spelling of ‘Hukaba’. Put it down to early season giddiness, though I do like being silly every now and then. :)

Those who have followed my reports over recent years will know that while I obviously love Niseko, I’m a fan of Japan and am happy when I hear that every region gets tons of snowfall and excellent conditions. I don’t see it as some kind of competition, as so many people apparently do! Let’s hope that 2017-2018 brings lots of that to all the regions.

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Resort specific opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):

Niseko Grand Hirafu

- Ace Pair lift (8:40am until 3:30pm)
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift, for transport up to the open course (8:30am until 3:10pm)
- The Center Course will be open

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Official resort snow depths as of Thursday 23rd November 2017:

Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 170cm
Base - 45cm

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Planned season dates:

Niseko Annupuri:
Saturday 25th November 2017 until Sunday 6th May 2018

Niseko Village:
Friday 1st December 2017 until Sunday 8th April 2018

Niseko Hanazono:
Saturday 2nd December 2017 until Sunday 8th April 2018

Floodlit 'nighta' skiing schedule:
Saturday 9th December 2017 until Sunday 18th March 2018