Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 3cm Snowfall at base this season 1163cm Posted on Friday 11th April 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here So the sun did make an appearance yesterday, but early this morning we also have some fresh snow on the ground! It can't seem to make it's mind up at the moment. We are already back to sun and increasingly blue skies, but that brief snowfall gave us a few cm of fresh. Moderate winds again unfortunately, but as of 7:30am Grand Hirafu seems to be planning to open as normal but keep an eye on that. --- Official snow depth numbers and planned operating lifts at time of writing: Grand Hirafu: Top - 320cm Base - 100cm Ace Number 2 Center Four lift King Number 3 Triple King Number 4 (* Hirafu Gondola will open only on 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th, 29th April and 3-6th May) Annupuri: Top - 310cm Base - 110cm Annupuri Gondola Jumbo No1 quad Jumbo No2 pair 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 Hanazono Resort is now closed for the season Niseko Village is closed at the moment but plans to re-open between 26th April and 6th May (Golden Week) Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Friday 11th 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 5cm Snowfall at base this season 1160cm Posted on Monday 7th April 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Some more snowfall to report this morning after this late blast of winter continues (continued?). Just under 5cm outside my place I'd say, but rather than snow still falling it is a fine morning and the sun is out. And happily it's not as windy just yet but might get more so later. Yesterday was the last day of the season for Niseko Hanazono Resort and Niseko Village is now closed up until Golden Week when it plans to re-open. News from Niseko Grand Hirafu and their plans for lifts to be open from now until the end of the season: Ace Number 2 Center Four lift (every day until 6th May) King Number 3 Triple (every day until 6th May) King Number 4 (every day until 6th May) Hirafu Gondola on 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th, 29th April and 3-6th May --- Official snow depth numbers at time of writing: Grand Hirafu: Top - 335cm Base - 120cm Annupuri: Top - 320cm Base - 120cm --- 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 Hanazono Resort is now closed for the season. Niseko Village is closed at the moment but plans to re-open between 26th April and 6th May (Golden Week) Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Monday 7th April 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 1160cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 100 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 10cm 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 0cm Snowfall at base this season 1163cm Posted on Tuesday 6th May 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Here we are, May 6th - the last day of the 2013/2014 snow season in Niseko. For the record, it’s nice and sunny today - a mix of blue sky and some cloud. In this last post of the season I want to take a look back over the 13/14 season - a mix of my thoughts, my numbers, official numbers and what I sense as the general opinion of those who are based here. Obviously different people will have different thoughts going on - I’ll do my best to be fair and balanced… luckily for us all, my job is not marketing and sales! ;) I think it has been another very fine season for Niseko. Lots of fine Niseko powder to be enjoyed - lots of the time; lots of people around from every corner of the world; and a really great atmosphere from what I saw. Niseko at its best really is hard to beat. Yes, I know I might be a little biased. But only a little. The problem is that those of us who know Niseko at its best just have such ridiculously high expectations! So let’s dig a little deeper. If you look back to my last report from the 12/13 season back in May 2013, I mentioned that strong winds seemed to affect lift operations more than usual. Unfortunately I kind of feel the same again this year. We have certainly had our share of windy conditions this season again. Strong winds shutting down lifts and resorts too often is probably one of the things that people will mention most if they were pushed to say bad things about Niseko. Snowfall; yes, very important. Let’s take a look at the snowfall that I have been noting over the last few seasons. Again as I have mentioned in my posts during the season, these are my personal observations - made from the Hirafu village base area. The upper mountain will of course be on the receiving end of more snow than the base village, sometimes much more, but unfortunately I don’t live up there to make consistent daily observations. So we will have to make do with base numbers. 2012/2013 SEASON: November 2012: 118cm December 2012: 418cm January 2013: 443cm February 2013: 406cm March 2013: 164cm April 2013: 32cm May 2013: 2cm 12/13 SEASON TOTAL: 1,583cm And here’s the numbers from this season (taken from the same place): 2013/2014 SEASON: November 2013: 123cm December 2013: 275cm January 2014: 461cm February 2014: 178cm March 2014: 113cm April 2014: 13cm May 2014: 0cm 13/14 SEASON TOTAL: 1,163cm As you can see, there was less snow in the 13/14 season than in the 12/13 season. Just looking at the numbers, you could say significantly less. Still, that’s nearly 12m of snowfall which I’m sure we can agree on is ‘a lot’ - and when it’s falling consistently and heavily, difference in numbers hardly matters much. Here are the other available numbers published by Japan Meteorological Agency, taken from Kutchan Town: November 2013: 99cm (98cm the previous November) December 2013: 258cm (306cm the previous December) January 2014: 317cm (268cm the previous January) February 2014: 130cm (228cm the previous February) March 2014: 118cm (124cm the previous March) April 2014: 24cm (27cm the previous April) Full season: 946cm (1051cm the previous season) Those numbers are also less this season than last season, though not by quite as much as my personal observations. A friend of mine also recorded his own numbers from over near Moiwa and ended up with a total of 1276cm, about 1m more than mine. No doubt other people came up with other numbers too. But whatever the exact number, they’ll surely all be less than last year. Just for the record as well, Niseko Grand Hirafu on May 6th 2013 was saying it had 420cm on it’s upper slopes; today that corresponding number is 185cm, less than half but more in line with the season before. Niseko is of course famous for consistency of snowfall and close to guaranteed fabulous powder conditions. We did have a few dry periods during the season – some going on for unseasonably long stretches – and they were obviously disappointing for the people here during those times. But even so in general I think we can still say that things were impressively consistent. Opinions are going to depend on expectations – I spoke to some people in late February who were here during that week-long dry spell who still seemed really pleased about conditions compared with what they had experienced before. They really need to come back during one of the truly powder bonanzas that we have and experience the best of Niseko! Anyway, if you look back at the Niseko Now reports throughout the season, you’ll see stats for the months and a bit of ‘analysis’ as we went along. It’s always interesting to take a read through and re-live the season. They reports will always up there so please do take a look. (It’s also fun to read through the reports from other popular snow regions of Japan too). No doubt some hardy souls will be climbing up the hills with skis and boards on their backs a while longer and sliding down while some snow remains. But come mid-May, golf courses will be opening up and various summer activities will be the main focus. The area is of course really nice and cool for much of summer, unlike many regions of Japan. Just one more reason that lots of people fall in love with Niseko and Hokkaido. --- So that’s about all I have for this season. Thanks to Niseko for being such a great place and the Snow Gods for blessing us each season. Thank you to SnowJapan for being such a great resource - not only regarding Niseko of course but for Japan winter sports in general. I highly encourage you to take a look around the site. Last season I said this: “Thank you for reading these Niseko Now reports this season. I hope that you have enjoyed them and they have been useful as an ongoing commentary of the season. Now that the daily routine of writing reports has finished I think I’m going to have a few lie-ins and try to recharge after the long winter season! I have no doubt though that after just a short period of doing that, I’ll soon be looking forward to next winter.” That’s pretty much how I feel once again, a full year later. How time flies. The Niseko Now reports on SnowJapan will of course be back next season. Updates will begin once things start to cool down in the early autumn and we’ll bring you any news in advance of the 2014/2015 winter season. I wish you all a fun and safe summer wherever you may be, and hope to see you back here in autumn. Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Tuesday 6th May 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 May 2014 snowfall 0cm Previous 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 1163cm Posted on Thursday 1st May 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here So here we are. May 2014. Though I must admit, personally I feel this 'spring' bit of the season goes on for quite a while. I suppose you get that reporting on it every day. Lots of cloud this morning so it's generally quite grey. There's a chance of some rainfall today. As I have done each month, lets take a look at the snow numbers for April. I observed just 13cm of snow for the month here; JMA numbers from Kutchan actually beating that at 24cm (which is pretty much about the same as for the previous 5 seasons). That took my observations for the season so far to 1163cm... not quite as exiting as last seasons observed 1583cm for the whole season, but still... a fair amount of snow! (And remember, that's at base - there's more up there on those mountains). I'll do a final round up of that kind of thing at the end of the season. --- Official snow depth numbers and planned operating lifts at time of writing: Grand Hirafu: Top - 215cm Base - 10cm Ace Number 2 Center Four lift King Number 3 Triple King Number 4 (* Hirafu Gondola will now be open for the last four days of the season... 3rd-6th May) Annupuri: Top - 250cm Base - 40cm Annupuri Gondola Jumbo No1 quad Jumbo No4 pair Niseko Village: Top - 250cm Base - 30cm Niseko Gondola Wonderland Chair --- 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 be at least part open until Tuesday 6th May. -- Niseko Hanazono Resort is now closed for the season. Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Thursday 1st May 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 May 2014 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 1163cm Posted on Sunday 27th April 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Similar conditions this morning. A real hazy look going on but bright and generally just very spring-like. Once again temperatures expected to rise up to around 20 degrees. Overnights are getting noticeably milder too now - last night only dipping down to around 5 degrees. We can perhaps expect more cloud later on today and into tomorrow, perhaps even a spot of rain according to some forecasts, but it's still mainly fine conditions expected through most of next week. Oh and by the way Niseko Village have their Gondola and the top Wonderland lift operating for this Golden Week period. Tomorrow is not actually a national holiday of course - but Tuesday is. --- Official snow depth numbers and planned operating lifts at time of writing: Grand Hirafu: Top - 250cm Base - 20cm Ace Number 2 Center Four lift King Number 3 Triple King Number 4 (* Hirafu Gondola will open only on 27th, 29th April and 3-6th May) Annupuri: Top - 300cm Base - 40cm Annupuri Gondola Jumbo No1 quad Jumbo No4 pair Niseko Village: Top - 250cm Base - 50cm Niseko Gondola Wonderland Chair --- 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 be at least part open until Tuesday 6th May. -- Niseko Hanazono Resort is now closed for the season.. Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Sunday 27th 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 0cm Snowfall at base this season 1163cm Posted on Monday 5th May 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here It's a quite dull start to the day here, with overcast skies. Not warming up again too much, and a moderate wind. Hirafu have the Ace 3 lift running this morning but the top King 4 lift is not moving at the moment - due to the wind. The other two areas seem to be open as planned for the moment. Snow continues to melt away leaving more and more ground on show on the lower slopes in particular. Tomorrow is the last day of the season. Always sad to see the snow go, but we've had a long season and no doubt in another 5 months we'll be raring to go again. I'll be wrapping things up tomorrow in my last report for the 13/14 season. --- Official snow depth numbers and planned operating lifts: Grand Hirafu: Top - 185cm Base - 0cm Ace Number 2 Center Four lift King Number 3 Triple King Number 4 Hirafu Gondola Annupuri: Top - 250cm Base - 30cm Annupuri Gondola Jumbo No1 quad Jumbo No4 pair Niseko Village: Top - 230cm Base - 30cm Niseko Gondola Wonderland Chair --- 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 be at least part open until Tuesday 6th May. -- Niseko Hanazono Resort is now closed for the season. Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Monday 5th May 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 May 2014 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 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 0cm Snowfall at base this season 1163cm Posted on Friday 25th April 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here Good morning from Niseko, and it's another fine and sunny morning as expected... cold overnight but it's into double digits already this morning as of 9am. It should be a warm day. Same tomorrow with this warming trend continuing. 20 degrees anyone? Snowfall seems something of a distant memory now at this stage. There's a moderate wind this morning but the lifts that plan to be open seem to be operating. Hirafu Gondola plans to be open tomorrow and Sunday and then Tuesday... basically the 'holidays' over the Golden Week period. --- Official snow depth numbers and planned operating lifts at time of writing: Grand Hirafu: Top - 260cm Base - 40cm 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 Hanazono Resort is now closed for the season. Niseko Village is closed at the moment but plans to re-open between 26th April and 6th May (Golden Week). Niseko Now 2013-2014 season Data as of Friday 25th 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 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