Morning friends, and it's snowing outside this cold morning. There's around 10cm outside my place here, with 15cm of fresh being reported from upper resort areas.

Nice and cold, the snow should be of the fine kind.

As the Avalanche report says this morning, the snowfall has 'moderately reset' the mountain, which is of course great - but I think it's fair to say that most of us want more. Snowfall today will probably ease this morning (though as I type this report it's coming down quite nicely actually), leaving us with mostly cloudy conditions for later today and tomorrow with perhaps some sunshine at times.

To be followed by decent snowfall going into Saturday which is still forecast to continue into early next week. It's looking promising.

All the resorts plan to be open as normal this morning and peak gates are scheduled to be open. Have a good Friday.

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Please see my previous report for an explanation about change in the official 'snow depth' number on the reports.

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Resort specific news at time of writing - subject to change during the day

Niseko Grand Hirafu:
Looks set to open as planned this morning.
'Early Morning' lift available daily until 1st February (for 500 yen, Ace Quad Number 2 lift from 8am until 8:20am).

Niseko Hanazono:
Looks set to open as planned this morning.

Niseko Village:
Looks set to open as planned this morning.
'Early Morning Gondola' available Saturdays and Sundays until February 8th (for 1300 yen, Gondola open from 7:30am until 8:30am).

Niseko Annupuri:
Looks set to open as planned this morning.
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Niseko Avalanche Report

Niseko base 6am: -9C, 15cm of crystal snowfall in 12 hours. Moiwa 800m: NW8m/s, 20cm snowfall, small development of snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m: N8m/s, -13C, 20cm snowfall. Hirafu 1000m: N5m/s, -13C, 10cm snowfall. Coastal data: Benkei cape NNW14m/s, Kamui cape WSW8m/s, 1022hPa, 1.7m waves.

The isobars are spaced out and the weather is calm. Light snowfall has moderately reset the mountain. Good & fast snow can be found. Peak gates are scheduled to open, listen to the ski patrol’s advice before stepping out of the gates. January 27th low-pressure snowfall layer has become a notable weak layer in the snowpack. Avalanches of up to 40cm thickness are to be expected in leeward snowdrift loaded slopes around 1000m. The general risk is low, however unexpected incidents can happen in the mountain. Be prudent and be safe. 99% of the people seem to respect the Niseko Rules, but it is very disappointing to see a handful of disrespectful people that seems to deliberately disregard the Rules and enter Haru no Taki and/or Yu no Sawa off-limits areas. Beware of cracks, falls and hitting trees. Have a nice day. Using a leash is recommended to people using delicate lightweight bindings.

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Official resort snow depths:

Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 370cm
Base - 140cm

Niseko Village:
Top - 280cm
Base - 180cm

Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 265cm
Base - 180cm

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Lifts open for night skiing (planned):

Niseko Grand Hirafu
Ace Family Pair lift, Ace Number 2 Center Four lift, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 Pair lift

Niseko Hanazono Resort
No night skiing at the Hanazono area

Niseko Village
Community Chair and Banzai Chair

Niseko Annupuri
Jumbo Number 1 Quad

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Niseko Grand Hirafu 6 day weather and snow forecast