Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 1141cm Posted on Monday 6th April 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here It was rain last night and overnight here and this morning we start the day very grey and cloudy and indeed foggy. It's keeping quite cold and set to get colder later on today and tomorrow. Last bit of snow perhaps? Come on, let's see it one more time... There's now less lifts opening up as we enter this last stretch of the season, and I have noted below which lifts are scheduled to be open at each of the resort areas. Today is the last day of the season for the Niseko Hanazono lifts and area, while tomorrow is the last day of the main season for Niseko Village - though they plan to be back open for Golden Week. --- Official resort snow depths: Grand Hirafu / Hanazono: Top - 380cm Base - 60cm Niseko Village: Top - 280cm Base - 80cm Niseko Annupuri: Top - 310cm Base - 110cm --- Niseko Hanazono - open daily until today Niseko Village - open daily until tomorrow and then April 29th until May 6th Niseko Annupuri - open daily until Wednesday May 6th Niseko Grand Hirafu - open daily until Wednesday May 6th Niseko Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Monday 6th April 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 1141cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 82 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th & 26th December and 11th February) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 519cm reported on 25 days January 2015 snowfall 257cm reported on 23 days February 2015 snowfall 196cm reported on 18 days March 2015 snowfall 139cm reported on 11 days April 2015 snowfall 0cm 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 0cm Snowfall at base this season 1144cm Posted on Friday 17th April 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Strong southerly winds with visibility down to just 50m on upper areas of the resorts early this morning... the wind is affecting the top lifts at the start of the day with currently only the Ace Number 2 Center Four lift moving at Niseko Grand Hirafu (top two scheduled lifts on hold), and a similar situation with the top Jumbo lift at Niseko Annupuri. So for now there are 3 lifts operating. Maybe a bit of rain on and off today. Cold enough for a bit of snow higher perhaps? Snow continues to disappear from base areas and a few patches on the lower mountain as well. Niseko Grand Hirafu is still showing an official snow depth on it's upper areas as 345cm though, so we're not struggling to keep open in terms of the amount of snow. Whether you like the late spring snow conditions here in Niseko is quite another matter of course. The rain that we have been having over the last few days has made things pretty heavy going. Perhaps that's all part of the fun! ;) Just out of interest I took a look back at the corresponding number on the same date last year... it was 305cm. Good chance of sun tomorrow as well as warmer conditions and the temps rising into double digits. --- Planned resort operations for the rest of the season - wind and snow conditions aside may mean changes on any given day, but these are the plans! Niseko Grand Hirafu: - Ace Quad Number 2 Center four - until May 6 - King Triple Lift Number 3 - until May 6 - King Number 4 - until May 6 - Hirafu Gondola (** ONLY ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS and HOLIDAYS) - until May 6 - Spring Park plans to be open until May 6 Niseko Annupuri: - Annupuri Gondola - until May 6 - Jumbo Number 1 quad - until May 6 - Jumbo Number 4 pair - until May 6 Niseko Village: Niseko Village is currently closed but plans to re-open for the Golden Week holidays - from April 29th until May 6th Niseko Hanazono: Niseko Hanazono is now closed for the season --- Official resort snow depths: Grand Hirafu: Top - 345cm Base - 20cm Niseko Annupuri: Top - 285cm Base - 60cm Niseko Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Friday 17th April 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 1144cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 83 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th & 26th December and 11th February) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 519cm reported on 25 days January 2015 snowfall 257cm reported on 23 days February 2015 snowfall 196cm reported on 18 days March 2015 snowfall 139cm reported on 11 days April 2015 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day 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 0cm Snowfall at base this season 1144cm Posted on Friday 1st May 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Good morning from Niseko. Here we are, on the first of May with just 6 days left of the snow season including today. This morning the sun is out once again and I don't think wind should be causing much of a problem today. The fine weather is due to continue over the weekend as well. --- Just 3cm of snow was recorded (by me) during the month of April 2015 and that compares with 13cm from April 2014. Observed snowfall numbers here at base for the last two seasons look like this: 2014-2015 season: 1144cm 2013-2014 season: 1163cm Remarkably close numbers there but unless we get 19cm of snowfall in the village here in the next few days (!), last season will have edged it. In terms of how much snowfall I record here at base. I'll write more about that at the end of the season proper, but you can always take a look at the numbers that are shown lower down this page. --- Planned resort operations for the rest of the season - weather conditions may mean changes on any given day, but these are the plans! Niseko Grand Hirafu: - Ace Quad Number 2 Center four - until May 6 - King Triple Lift Number 3 - until May 6 - King Number 4 - until May 6 - Hirafu Gondola - from May 2 until May 6 - Spring Park plans to be open until May 6 Lower areas closed - get back down using the Ace Number 2 Center four lift or the Hirafu Gondola on the days it is operation. The Holiday Course is open when the Gondola is operating. Niseko Annupuri: - Annupuri Gondola - until May 6 - Jumbo Number 1 quad - until May 6 - Jumbo Number 4 pair - until May 6 Niseko Village: - Niseko Gondola - until May 6 Lower areas closed - get back down using the Gondola. Connection with Niseko Grand Hirafu open. Niseko Hanazono: Niseko Hanazono is now closed for the season. --- Official resort snow depths: Grand Hirafu: Top - 260cm Base - 0cm Niseko Annupuri: Top - 250cm Base - 20cm Niseko Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Friday 1st May 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 1144cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 83 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th & 26th December and 11th February) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 519cm reported on 25 days January 2015 snowfall 257cm reported on 23 days February 2015 snowfall 196cm reported on 18 days March 2015 snowfall 139cm reported on 11 days April 2015 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day May 2015 snowfall 0cm 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 0cm Snowfall at base this season 1144cm Posted on Tuesday 5th May 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Hello and good morning. I wasn't actually around for most of yesterday but we do seem to have had some rain falling. It's definitely colder this morning. It was almost chilly earlier on when I was out taking an early morning walk and there was even some fog around. The sun has appeared now though and more blue skies appearing too, it looks to be clearing up nicely and the local forecasts tell us to expect a fine day with it not warming up too much. Pleasant. Sunny conditions are forecast for tomorrow as well. --- Tomorrow is of course the last day of the official ski and snowboard season here in Niseko and at the end of the day the ski lifts will stop for the last time. It will also be my last Niseko Now report of the 2014-2015 season. --- Planned resort operations for the rest of the season - weather conditions may mean changes on any given day, but these are the plans! Niseko Grand Hirafu: - Ace Quad Number 2 Center four - until May 6 - King Triple Lift Number 3 - until May 6 - King Number 4 - until May 6 - Hirafu Gondola - from May 2 until May 6 - Spring Park plans to be open until May 6 Lower areas closed - get back down using the Ace Number 2 Center four lift or the Hirafu Gondola. Niseko Annupuri: - Annupuri Gondola - until May 6 - Jumbo Number 1 quad - until May 6 - Jumbo Number 4 pair - until May 6 Niseko Village: - Niseko Gondola - until May 6 Lower areas closed - get back down using the Gondola. Connection with Niseko Grand Hirafu open. Niseko Hanazono: Niseko Hanazono is now closed for the season. --- Official resort snow depths: Grand Hirafu: Top - 220cm Base - 0cm Niseko Annupuri: Top - 225cm Base - 20cm Niseko Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Tuesday 5th May 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 1144cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 83 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th & 26th December and 11th February) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 519cm reported on 25 days January 2015 snowfall 257cm reported on 23 days February 2015 snowfall 196cm reported on 18 days March 2015 snowfall 139cm reported on 11 days April 2015 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day May 2015 snowfall 0cm 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 0cm Snowfall at base this season 1144cm Posted on Friday 24th April 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Cloudy and windy this morning. I have to post this report early before there's full information available, but I would expect top lifts to be affected. Niseko Grand Hirafu already actually seem to be saying that the two King lifts will be on hold due to the wind but they plan to get the Ace Number 3 lift moving as a 'replacement'. No word yet from Annupuri. So yes it's generally cloudy with a spot of rain possible this afternoon. Hopefully we'll get back to clearer skies and sun for the weekend - and less wind - and the forecasts seem to be giving a good chance of that happening. Look for a real warm up starting around Monday, when temperatures may start approaching 20 degrees at base. --- Niseko Grand Hirafu: - Ace Quad Number 2 Center four - until May 6 - King Triple Lift Number 3 - until May 6 - King Number 4 - until May 6 - Hirafu Gondola (** ONLY ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS and HOLIDAYS) - until May 6 - Spring Park plans to be open until May 6 Niseko Annupuri: - Annupuri Gondola - until May 6 - Jumbo Number 1 quad - until May 6 - Jumbo Number 4 pair - until May 6 Niseko Village: Niseko Village is currently closed but plans to re-open for the Golden Week holidays - from April 29th until May 6th Niseko Hanazono: Niseko Hanazono is now closed for the season --- Official resort snow depths: Grand Hirafu: Top - 320cm Base - 10cm Niseko Annupuri: Top - 275cm Base - 30cm Niseko Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Friday 24th April 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 1144cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 83 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th & 26th December and 11th February) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 519cm reported on 25 days January 2015 snowfall 257cm reported on 23 days February 2015 snowfall 196cm reported on 18 days March 2015 snowfall 139cm reported on 11 days April 2015 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day 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 29cm Posted on Tuesday 18th November 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here There's just a slight dusting of snow to report this morning - I'll be generous and log it as 1cm rather than 0cm - and it's a mixed bunch of weather conditions likely for today. Actually as I write this the sun is peeking through the clouds. Temperature once again hovering around the 0C mark as of 9am this morning. So we are now just a handful of days away from the first ski lifts starting up for the season. Hopefully. It's looking pretty good for that to happen as things stand but as always will keep you informed as we approach the weekend. For many locals or people working here the beginning of the season is one of those times to get out and enjoy the snow - before the large numbers of people descent on the area making it difficult to get a chance to get out. I'll certainly be trying to make the most of the early season. Fingers crossed we can get off to a good start. Planned opening dates for the different resort areas on the mountain: Niseko Grand Hirafu - Saturday 22nd November Niseko Annupuri Kokusai - Saturday 22nd November Niseko Village - Monday 1st December Niseko Hanazono - Saturday 6th December Subject to snow! Niseko Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Tuesday 18th November 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 29cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 4 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 15cm (15th November) November 2014 snowfall 29cm 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 3cm Snowfall at base this season 28cm Posted on Sunday 16th November 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Just a bit of snow since last night but another few cm of snow yesterday since my report. It's just cloudy at the moment as we were expecting with the temperature just rising slightly above freezing during the day today. I am hearing from a few people that there is now well over half a metre of snow up there on the upper areas (closer to a metre according to some), so all told things are looking very encouraging for opening next weekend. Here's the planned opening dates for the different resort areas on the mountain: Niseko Grand Hirafu - Saturday 22nd November Niseko Annupuri Kokusai - Saturday 22nd November Niseko Village - Monday 1st December Niseko Hanazono - Saturday 6th December Night operations at the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas are scheduled to begin from 13th December. Those of you who have followed the reports here will have heard me say this before but... the 'nighta' is great fun and well worth a try. Niseko Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Sunday 16th November 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 28cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 3 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 15cm (15th November) November 2014 snowfall 28cm 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 10cm Posted on Friday 14th November 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Welcome back to the Niseko Now reports. Yesterday we saw a new dusting of light snow up on the upper slopes. Temperatures dropped during the day and today things improve further. I'm happy to report a fair bit of snow this morning. There was more than 10cm of fresh snow outside my place in the village area at base this morning but in some places more than that as there has also been strong winds blowing it all around too. (Strong winds are fine before the lifts move, but let's hope that this season will be less marked by wind disruption!) Anyway it is as you might expect cold out there today and temperatures should continue to struggle to get into positive numbers. Can lifts get moving next weekend as planned? There's a chance of further snow over the next few days, though I would expect less than what we have had the last 24 hours. We shall see, and we shall keep you informed. Niseko Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Friday 14th November 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 10cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 1 day Most snowfall observed in 1 day 10cm (14th November) November 2014 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 15cm Snowfall at base this season 25cm Posted on Saturday 15th November 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here There's more snow to report this morning folks with at least 15cm or so to add to what we had yesterday and temperatures remaining cold, starting the day off hovering around the zero mark. It may not be as cold as mid-winter yet of course, but it has certainly felt winter-y with the snow falling very nicely on us. Let's hope the forecasts continue to under-estimate, but realistically it's looking more like just cloudy tomorrow. Trying to not get too excited just yet but with only a week left before the season hopefully kicks off it's getting more difficult by the day! Niseko Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Saturday 15th November 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 25cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 2 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 15cm (15th November) November 2014 snowfall 25cm 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 0cm Snowfall at base this season 30cm Posted on Friday 28th November 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here So here we are, near the end of November and basically sitting here waiting for the snow to fall, everything on standby now! Obviously we won't be seeing an opening this weekend, so all eyes over to the forecast. Things are still looking encouraging for snowfall from late Monday onwards. It will probably remain rather mild until Monday when it may well start off as rain but come Tuesday we can hope for a cover of white once again. --- Yesterday, Sapporo City officially announced it's intention to bid for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Sapporo has of course been the host city for the Winter Olympics before in 1972. At that time as well as hosting some of the events in the city, like the ski jump and other events at Teine, they also actually created the downhill ski courses and facilities from scratch on the west slopes of Mt Eniwa to the south of the city - including a two-stage ropeway, ski lift, press centre, heliport and no doubt also somewhere where you could find some curry rice! All of those facilities were made specifically for the Olympics with the agreement that once the Olympics were over, the mountain would be restored to nature. Indeed, if you go there now there is hardly any trace at all to be found. The man-made stuff was all taken down and nature has once again reclaimed the area. You can just about see traces of where the two downhill courses were if you look at Mt Eniwa on the satellite images. Apparently the Mens course was 2626m in length with an average gradient of 17 degrees and steepest slope of 37 degrees with a starting point at 1126m. The Womens course was 2108m in length with an average gradient of 14 degrees and a steepest slope of 35 degrees; starting point at 870m. There are of course no details yet as to where events would be held in the event of another Sapporo Olympics but it will be very interesting to hear what the plans might be. I heard a report on the news last night that suggested that they would be looking at facilities in Hokkaido outside of Sapporo - and even maybe further afield in other areas of Japan; one report even seemed to be suggesting using some of the facilities used in the Nagano Olympics. Whatever, it seems that cost will (obviously) be a big factor, so I doubt we'll be seeing a rebuilding of the facilities at Mt Eniwa! Anyway I have heard that there's already one or two decent ski places in Hokkaido... It's all very interesting stuff and no doubt we will hear more about that in time. I will of course let you know when I hear any more details in the future. OK so back to the present... Planned opening dates for the different resort areas on the mountain: Niseko Grand Hirafu - will open as soon as there's enough snow Niseko Annupuri Kokusai - will open as soon as there's enough snow Niseko Village - Monday 1st December Niseko Hanazono - Saturday 6th December Niseko Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Friday 28th November 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 30cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 5 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 15cm (15th November) November 2014 snowfall 30cm 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 0cm Snowfall at base this season 30cm Posted on Saturday 29th November 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Not a whole lot to report today as we continue waiting. (And planning our own Olympic courses down Mt Annupuri, of course! If you don't know what I'm talking about there, please see yesterdays Niseko Now report.) Temperatures up to around +6 degrees today in town and there was a nice bit of sun shining on the upper part of Mt Yotei just before. Inevitably of course Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Annupuri resorts announced that further delay to opening due to lack of snow and promise to do so as soon as there is enough snow. A sunny start tomorrow maybe with rain later on, followed by snow on Tuesday when it should suddenly get real cold as well. Lots please! A few people have asked some questions about the Niseko Now reports and I thought I would answer them. With stuff like the 'Olympic news' yesterday, it basically seemed like an interesting thing to mention. So stuff like that might get mentioned. But we're don't do any kind of business promotions, and you won't see any marketing or advertising-like content on the Niseko Now reports (or any of the other Now reports on SnowJapan). In fact, no-one has any influence whatsoever over what is in our reports - and we'll say when conditions are bad, it's mad windy, it's raining and all that kind of stuff. Sadly, it's not always perfect so we might have to do that from time to time. It's bottom-line important to SnowJapan that what we post is correct, true, honest and hype-free. Of course, I am human and so there's a capacity for mistakes, as well as being perhaps a bit over-excited when things are going heavenly (!), but myself and my sometimes colleague will do our very best to keep things on track. A lot of people read these reports every day, so we do take them very seriously. Gambarimasu. And of course if you ever do find anything in the reports that you feel the need to comment on, feel free to contact SnowJapan at the main contact address and they will almost instantly be talking with me. :) Planned opening dates for the different resort areas on the mountain: Niseko Grand Hirafu - will open as soon as there's enough snow Niseko Annupuri Kokusai - will open as soon as there's enough snow Niseko Village - Monday 1st December Niseko Hanazono - Saturday 6th December Niseko Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Saturday 29th November 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 30cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 5 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 15cm (15th November) November 2014 snowfall 30cm 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 5cm Snowfall at base this season 36cm Posted on Wednesday 3rd December 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Morning from Hirafu, and not as much snowfall as I would like to report. (Though coming to think of it, is there ever as much as we want?!) I'm going to log just over 5cm or so here in the base area. It was snowing nicely earlier on but as I write this now there's actually a bit of blue sky on show in places and the sun has been shining through as well. The forecast is for continued snowfall though so hopefully that is just a short-lived thing. Peak season we might be all for a bit of sun but what we need right now is large amounts of snow to get things going... obviously! As of last night Hirafu were reporting 25cm on upper slopes and 10cm on lower slopes of the resort. The forecasts are giving us snowy days through into next week, though it doesn't look like it's massive dumpage. I hope I am wrong and by writing that I am provoking the dudes in charge of snowfall to show me I'm wrong. ;) So anyway Niseko Village now joins Grand Hirafu and Annupuri on the 'will open as soon as there's enough snow' list. Hanazono of course has always been aiming for opening on Saturday 6th December. That might have been the most realistic of the lot this time round and prove very good timing. Planned opening dates for the different resort areas on the mountain: Niseko Grand Hirafu - will open as soon as there's enough snow Niseko Annupuri Kokusai - will open as soon as there's enough snow Niseko Village - will open as soon as there's enough snow Niseko Hanazono - Saturday 6th December Niseko Now 2014-2015 season Data as of Wednesday 3rd December 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 36cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 7 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 15cm (15th November) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 6cm 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