Good morning from Niseko and a very Happy New Year to you all, wherever you may be.

What a fine morning it was yesterday. Clouds moving around during the day, but I imagine that everyone here to enjoy the snow would have been pleased with their days 'work' on the slopes.

There's 10cm of fresh snowfall to add to my tally and hopefully a little more than that to fill in tracks this morning, and it is a cold start to the year. Light snow has been falling this morning and that may well ease off during the day.

The forecast is looking good for regular snowfall over the coming week and happily it doesn't look like wind should be affecting us much at all. I like the sound of that.

It looks like the peak gates and Mizuno no sawa gates should be open today. Enjoy.

So, yes, all is good. Maybe I will see some of you out there today.

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A message from SnowJapan

If you didn’t already know, we are currently running a special ski lift ticket prize draw on SnowJapan. Full details can be found here, so please do go and take a look.

We have already received many entries for the prize draw. Good luck to everyone who has entered.

Lots of you have very kindly taken the chance to send us comments and thoughts about our website. We don’t often get to hear this kind of feedback, so it really is fantastic to read so many supportive comments and good ideas. We really do appreciate it. Thank you.

One thing that comes across is how much our website means to so many people out there. We can of course always see the large website traffic statistics, but in the end, they are just numbers. Comments and words of encouragement from real people make it all that much more... real. At times the volume of things that need to be done can get to feel somewhat overwhelming, so it is nice to hear the support.

Hopefully, one thing that comes across to people who know our site is the love, care and enthusiasm that we put into it. We are going to keep on (stubbornly!) doing what we are doing, always trying to improve and move forward.

Many of you have asked how you can help support us. The easiest way to help is to simply spread the word about the site - just let other people know about SnowJapan.com. Whether it’s a post on social media, a link on your website, in conversation or whatever. And please don’t forget to mention SnowJapan if you contact any of the accommodations or other businesses that you find on our site. It all goes towards helping us.

Thank you again. And Happy New Year!

May 2019 be particularly snowy one.

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Niseko Avalanche Report:

Niseko base 6am: -5℃, 10cm snowfall in 24hours, light snow. Moiwa800m: -8.7℃, SW10m/s, 50cm snowdrifts in 24hours and cornices developments. An avalanche due to collapsing cornice has been observed in Mikaeri bowl. Hirafu peak: -9℃, W15m/s, snowdrifts development. Niseko Village Mizuno no Sawa: -8.91℃, NW10m/s, 11cm snowfall in 24hours, 125cm snowdepth. Annupuri1120m: 170cm snowdepth. Kutchan weather station: -3.5℃, 115cm snowdepth. Benkei cape: NW13m/s, Kamui cape: WSW9m/s, 1017hPa, 1.8m waves.

Peak gates and Mizuno no sawa gates are scheduled to open today. Please make sure to be prepared for the backcountry before stepping out. Wearing helmets and carrying avalanche gears (beacon, probe, shovel) are very highly recommended. There are many hazards lurking in the out of bounds area, always be prudent and make conservative decisions. Cracks and gaps are forming in unexpected places. Use caution, especially in Higashi-One. Largely developed cornices can fall in 200cm thickness and cause a slide as they collapse.

Avalanche risk remains high in the Backbowl, Osawa, Mikaeri Bowl. Better not remain in valley bottoms. The snow in the treeruns is fast, beware of hitting trees. The light is weak and the terrain is difficult to see. Pay attention. Do not enter the strictly off-limits areas. Ski patrollers are watching. Respect the Rules and enjoy your day.

Happy New Year!

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Ski resort operation information: Tuesday 1st January 2019
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report. Subject to change!

Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 260cm
- Base: 115cm

Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart are normally operating
- The Ace Family quad (until 8:30pm), Ace Center 4 quad (8:20pm), Hirafu Gondola (until 8:10pm) and Holiday Number 1 pair (until 8:30pm) lifts are normally open during the evening
- The Center Four lift will be open early between 7th-31st January 2019 (more details soon - when I can find them!)

Niseko HANAZONO Resort

Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 190cm
- Base: 136cm

Ski lifts operating:
- All Hanazono lifts are normally operating
- The Hanazono lifts are normally open until 3:30pm

Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono Courses:
- All official courses are now available

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Niseko Annupuri

Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 220cm
- Base: 120cm

Ski lifts operating:
- All Annupuri lifts are normally operating
- The Jumbo 1 lift is normally open until 8:30pm during the evening
- Annupuri First run from 7:20am until 8:20am on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 12th, 13th, 14th January. (1,500 yen charge)

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Niseko Village

Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 230cm
- Base: 120cm

Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart from the Country Road Chair are normally operating
- The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are normally open until 8:00pm during the evening

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Night time operations are available in the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri resort areas. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO resort area.