Good morning everyone and... Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas! (Or am I too late - some Christmas trees will probably be taken down by the time you read this Christmas morning report!)

It was a rather windy day yesterday and I believe it affected some lift operations. All lifts appear to be starting the day as planned this morning.

I am measuring 6cm of fresh snow on the ground this morning and light snow has been falling. There are a few areas where the clouds are thinner and look like might even be clearing a little.

Hirafu have added 15cm to their peak snow depth, and while the movement of those numbers often does not reflect the actual amount of fresh snow falling for various reasons, it is of course very reasonable to expect more up there than down here at base areas.

The forecast for the coming week is still looking... very snowy, and I am officially excited.

I'll leave you now and hope that you all have a fun and safe day.

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"Don’t let your selfish actions ruin other visitors holidays" (Avalanche Report below)

I find it rather sad that such a comment/request needs to be said.

But alas it sometimes does.

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Niseko Avalanche Report

Mountain Base 6.00am: -5°, 10cm new snow in the last 12 hrs, snowdrift development in some areas. Moiwa 800m: -10°, W8m/s, 15cm new snow, snow drift development. Mikaeri: 15cm new snow, snowdrift development. Hirafu peak ridge line: -12°, NNW10m/s, snowdrift development on leeward slopes, snow depth 180cm, 700m snow depth 70cm. Kutchan Weather Station: snow depth 70cm. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW13m/s. Kamui Cape: W10m/s, 1018hPa, wave 2.7m.

The isobars are starting to spread out and the wind is beginning to drop. Above 800m new cornice and snowdrift development are starting to stabilise. The risk of avalanche is starting to fall but cornices are still collapsing easily, take care. There is only a little new snow in the trees but it is good. The bamboo on leeward slopes around 800m is starting to get buried, but there still isn’t enough snow in lower areas. We are aiming to get Moiwa gate 6 and Fujiwara gate 4 open before the end of the month. Please be patient.

Niseko Rules exist to protect your freedom to ride out of bounds to a minimum level of safety. Do not disregard the rules to ride out of bounds. These areas are not managed and many natural hazards exist.

Many people are coming to Niseko, don’t let your selfish actions ruin other visitors holidays. The morning groomers are fantastic, have a good day.

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Ski resort operation information: Tuesday 25th December 2018
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: 210cm
- Base: 95cm

Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart from Ace Number 4 pair lift and King Number 2 quad lifts are operating

Niseko HANAZONO Resort

Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 140cm
- Base: 95cm

Ski lifts operating:
- All Hanazono lifts are operating

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

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Niseko Annupuri

Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 170cm
- Base: 90cm

Ski lifts operating:
- All Annupuri lifts are operating

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Niseko Village

Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 180cm
- Base: 95cm

Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart from Morino Chair and Country Road Chair are operating

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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.