Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 1163cm Posted on Saturday 26th April 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here It's going to be another warm day here in Niseko; expecting highs of about 20C today. Hirafu Gondola is due to be moving again today of course as we enter Golden Week. The Niseko Village resort area should also be open again today for the Golden Week holiday period; non-skiers/boarders can also get on the gondola for the scenery (1200 yen return). It's not clear exactly what lifts they will have open and for some reason they are being shy with that information (even on their own website)... I'll aim to update that in my report tomorrow. --- Official snow depth numbers and planned operating lifts at time of writing: Grand Hirafu: Top - 255cm Base - 30cm Ace Number 2 Center Four lift King Number 3 Triple King Number 4 (* Hirafu Gondola will open only on 26th, 27th, 29th April and 3-6th May) Annupuri: Top - 310cm Base - 50cm Annupuri Gondola Jumbo No1 quad Jumbo No4 pair --- Niseko Annupuri plans to be at least part open until Tuesday 6th May. Niseko Grand Hirafu plans to be at least part open until Tuesday 6th May. Niseko Village plans to re-open until Tuesday 6th May. -- Niseko Hanazono Resort is now closed for the season. Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Saturday 26th April 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 1163cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 101 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (14th January) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days December 2013 snowfall 275cm reported on 22 days January 2014 snowfall 461cm reported on 29 days February 2014 snowfall 178cm reported on 20 days March 2014 snowfall 113cm reported on 17 days April 2014 snowfall 13cm reported on 4 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 172cm Posted on Wednesday 11th December 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here So yesterday wasn't a particularly nice day. Lots of rain which has obviously not helped the snow out there and washed a fair bit away - base of Hirafu now on 30cm. Oh well, at least it will have compacted. As if by magic though, in these circumstances, Annupuri are going to be starting up the Jumbo Number 1 quad lift over there. Niseko Village are doing some checking on the course by the Gondola and so that lift isn't moving early on. Happily this morning it is colder - though not mad cold - and a light cover of snow welcoming us this morning. It is snowing lightly, cloudy and a bit of a wind as I write this report. It's still looking positive ahead though starting tomorrow, though I must say that some forecasts do seem to have downgraded the forecast somewhat (ie. less snow forecast than before). We'll just have to wait and see, and I will of course let you know how it pans out. Planned lift operations: Grand Hirafu: Ace Family Pair Ace Number 3 Pair Ace Number 2 Quad Center Four King Number 3 Triple Swinging Monkey Hirafu Gondola Holiday Number 1 Pair Hanazono: Hanazono Number 1 Quad Hanazono Number 2 Quad Hanazono Number 3 Quad Niseko Village: Gondola (testing and closed early on) Community Chair Banzai Chair Annupuri: Gondola Jumbo Number 1 quad Jumbo Number 3 --- Official snow depth numbers: Grand Hirafu: Top - 130cm Base - 30cm Hanazono: Top - 145cm Base - 75cm Niseko Village: Top - 80cm Base - 40cm Annupuri: Top - 90cm Base - 60cm Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Wednesday 11th December 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 172cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 16 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (12th November) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days December 2013 snowfall 49cm reported on 7 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 20cm Snowfall at base this season 196cm Posted on Friday 13th December 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here This is something more like it. Some decent snowfall yesterday afternoon and last night particularly and this morning there is 20cm of fresh snowfall to report from Hirafu. Remember, that means more up there on those mountains. Grand Hirafu have changed their official snow depths to 60cm at base and 160cm at peak. Nice and cold -3C as well. Snow conditions were actually pretty decent yesterday considering the weather we had before it, but with this new delivery of fine powdery snow the conditions should be great today. Light snow still coming down as I write this report and hopefully it should be falling right the way through for at least two more of my morning reports. I would expect further terrain to be open for the weekend, but there's no details on that to share right at the moment. For now, I'll just enjoy watching the snow come down for a while before getting out there. Get wrapped up well it should be a cold and snowy weekend. --- Planned lift operations: Grand Hirafu: Ace Family Pair Ace Number 3 Pair Ace Number 2 Quad Center Four King Number 3 Triple Swinging Monkey Hirafu Gondola Holiday Number 1 Pair Hanazono: Hanazono Number 1 Quad Hanazono Number 2 Quad Hanazono Number 3 Quad Niseko Village: Gondola Community Chair Banzai Chair Annupuri: Gondola Jumbo Number 1 quad Jumbo Number 3 --- Official snow depth numbers: Grand Hirafu / Hanazono: Top - 160cm Base - 60cm Niseko Village: Top - 90cm Base - 50cm Annupuri: Top - 95cm Base - 60cm Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Friday 13th December 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 196cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 18 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (12th November) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days December 2013 snowfall 73cm reported on 9 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 4cm Snowfall at base this season 176cm Posted on Thursday 12th December 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Yesterday ended up with lovely blue skies above Niseko in the afternoon and this morning I just have another few cm to report. It's a bit colder again this morning and snowing now. Niseko Grand Hirafu have added 5cm to their base and peak snow depth numbers since yesterday. So decent snow is falling at the moment, so let's hope it continues throughout the day. There's a moderate to strong wind reported on upper slopes and it seems a few of the upper lifts (King Number 3, Hanazono Number 3) are running at slower speeds due to the wind. The forecasts have it snowing now through the weekend. Bring it on, I say. --- Planned lift operations: Grand Hirafu: Ace Family Pair Ace Number 3 Pair Ace Number 2 Quad Center Four King Number 3 Triple Swinging Monkey Hirafu Gondola Holiday Number 1 Pair Hanazono: Hanazono Number 1 Quad Hanazono Number 2 Quad Hanazono Number 3 Quad Niseko Village: Gondola (testing and closed early on) Community Chair Banzai Chair Annupuri: Gondola Jumbo Number 1 quad Jumbo Number 3 --- Official snow depth numbers: Grand Hirafu / Hanazono: Top - 135cm Base - 35cm Niseko Village: Top - 80cm Base - 40cm Annupuri: Top - 90cm Base - 60cm Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Thursday 12th December 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 176cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 17 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (12th November) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days December 2013 snowfall 53cm reported on 8 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 30cm Snowfall at base this season 50cm Posted on Tuesday 12th November 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here It is really almost feeling like mid season here with a really good amount of fresh snow since my last report just yesterday. A whopping 30+cm of snow has fallen since last report, taking us to already nearly 50cm or so - and it's only November 12th. Let's hope this is a sign of things to come this season. But lets not get too worked up just yet... (*easier to say than do!) Anyway, earlier on this morning there were clearer conditions and there are still a few patches of blue here and there with the sun making the odd appearance, but mostly cloudy with some light snow falling at times. The forecast for today is cloud/snow, with heavier snowfall likely tonight. It should be clearing up by tomorrow though, and then we will see temperatures rise a bit with clearer conditions due on Thursday. After this current snowfall clears up it does look like the next snow falling in the village might be into next week. The planned resort opening dates are as follows: Niseko Grand Hirafu - 23rd November Hanazono - 23rd November Niseko Annupuri - 23rd November Niseko Village - 1st December Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Tuesday 12th November 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 50cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 3 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (12th November) November 2013 snowfall 50cm reported on 3 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 10cm Snowfall at base this season 60cm Posted on Wednesday 13th November 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Good morning from Hirafu, and I have another 10cm or so of fresh snowfall to report since my last update yesterday. Very cold this morning, I woke up before 7am and it was down to -5 degrees according to the thermometer outside my place. There were clearer skies earlier on this morning but the moment it has clouded over again, though it is not snowing right at the moment. It is keeping though and should remain so throughout the day with light snow likely at times. As things are now, we're looking good for opening in 10 days time. It all depends on the weather of course, and there is a warmer spell forecast for starting tomorrow and going through the weekend. We might get to see quite a bit of sun as well, with rain currently forecast on Sunday. Hopefully it won't warm up too much and we can get back to snow next week and be ready for opening on 23rd. The planned resort opening dates are as follows: Niseko Grand Hirafu - 23rd November Hanazono - 23rd November Niseko Annupuri - 23rd November Niseko Village - 1st December Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Wednesday 13th November 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 60cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 4 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (12th November) November 2013 snowfall 60cm reported on 4 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 10cm Snowfall at base this season 20cm Posted on Monday 11th November 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here We are enjoying a rather good start to the season. Well, pre-season I suppose - though some people have been spotted out and about with skis and boards on their backs climbing up the hillside. The mountain has been covered with snow and up to 20cm or so in places. Since that snowfall reported in my last post, the snow clouds moved back on into the region and deposited another 5-10cm of snow at village level. It was a cold -2 degrees C when I took a look a little earlier on this morning. Snow and cold conditions are forecast to continue for the next few days with clearer weather and milder conditions forecast for later on this week. The planned opening dates are as follows: Niseko Grand Hirafu - 23rd November Hanazono - 23rd November Niseko Annupuri - 23rd November Niseko Village - 1st December Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Monday 11th November 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 20cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 2 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 10cm (9th and 11th November) November 2013 snowfall 20cm reported on 2 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 10cm Snowfall at base this season 10cm Posted on Saturday 9th November 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here The first snow of the season to report in the village this morning with up to 10cm or so in places. About 7-8cm outside my place here. It was very cold overnight down below zero though not quite as chilly now that I post this report and some much clearer skies and we have seen the sun this morning. Tomorrow we should see a return to more colder temperatures - perhaps rain in the village but definitely snow on the mountains along with some stronger winds. Two weeks to go until the first ski lifts officially open, so it's good to see winter kick in at this stage. Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Saturday 9th November 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 10cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 1 day Most snowfall observed in 1 day 10cm (9th November) November 2013 snowfall 10cm reported on 1 day Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 10cm Snowfall at base this season 70cm Posted on Thursday 21st November 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Nature decided to give us a present overnight and this morning we are treated to 5-10cm of fresh snow down here at base. Not mad cold and still just above the zero mark earlier on and about +3 degrees right now, but it is of course fantastic to see that new cover of white this morning. Those bare spots I mentioned yesterday are now nicely filled in again, but of course we could always do with more. It's still looking quite weak though in terms of snowfall expected and we're probably not going to get a whole lot more through into next week - with more rain than snow lined up. I'd be happy if the forecast was wrong and/or changed in that respect. The planned resort opening dates remain as follows, with the first lifts planning to be operating the day after tomorrow. Niseko Grand Hirafu - 23rd November Hanazono - 23rd November Niseko Annupuri - 23rd November Niseko Village - 1st December Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Thursday 21st November 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 70cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 5 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (12th November) November 2013 snowfall 70cm reported on 5 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 71cm Posted on Wednesday 27th November 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Morning from Hirafu. We've had more than our share of mild temperatures, rain and strong winds of late. I'm glad to be able to report a dusting of snow overnight - just a cm or so at village level - and while it's still not the cold we want, it feels colder than it has been and currently around 1C. Obviously the resorts are not open yet as we wait for a decent snowfall to hit and get things moving. Things are looking good for later on today into tomorrow. Temperatures will dip and moderate to heavy snowfall a definite possibility on the mountains. So hopefully I'll have some good news to report tomorrow morning. Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Wednesday 27th November 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 71cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 6 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (12th November) November 2013 snowfall 71cm reported on 6 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 12cm Snowfall at base this season 83cm Posted on Thursday 28th November 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Snow to report this morning and just over 10cm of it outside my place here in Hirafu, and up to 15cm in places. The snow started falling late last night. It was a colder night and as of 9am it is around -1C and -5C up top at Hirafu. Snow continued to fall and we should be looking at snow to continue through into tomorrow. No official word from the resorts yet but if the snow falls as expected, hopefully we will be looking at openings on Saturday. Planned resort opening dates: Niseko Grand Hirafu - as soon as possible Niseko Annupuri - open as soon as possible Niseko Village - 1st December Hanazono - 7th December Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Thursday 28th November 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 83cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 7 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (12th November) November 2013 snowfall 83cm reported on 7 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 15cm Snowfall at base this season 123cm Posted on Saturday 30th November 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Morning and here we are on the official opening day of the season in Niseko with Niseko Grand Hirafu opening at 8:30am this morning. Around 15cm of fresh snowfall since my last report here in the village. As I mentioned yesterday afternoon, Niseko Grand Hirafu has the Ace Number 3 pair lift servicing the Center Course, and the Ace Number 2 Center Four lift taking people up (and down) from that upper area. Hirafu are reporting 60-100cm on it's slopes this morning and a temperature of -6 degrees. Here in the Hirafu village area it's around -1C and currently just cloudy with light snow falling at times - was hoping for more sustained snowfall (aren't we always?!). Hopefully we will get more later on, but the forecast into next week not looking quite as encouraging as it was a few days back. Anyway, Niseko Village plans to open tomorrow with the Community Chair and Banzai Chair lifts operating and 4 courses open. No further word yet from Annupuri. Official snow depth numbers: Grand Hirafu: Top - 100cm Bottom - 60cm Niseko Village: Top - 60cm Bottom - 30cm Annupuri: Top - 50cm Bottom - 48cm Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Saturday 30th November 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 123cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 9 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (12th November) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com