Niseko Now: Sunday 10th January 2021
- Jan 10, 2021
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 33cm
Snowfall at base this season 597cm
Posted on Sunday 10th January 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
My oh my.
Tons of fresh snow.
I am hearing that controversial comment from some people - 'too much snow'. Sounds silly, right?
Mostly from people involved in the fun task of shovelling it out of the way, watching skiers and snowboarders walk over to first lifts. Others are worried that some less experienced people might get carried away with it and face some real dangers. As the Avalanche Report below states... 'maybe a little too deep'.
Be excited; always take care.
So this morning I am measuring 33cm of snow since my report yesterday. And there's going to be more than that in places, especially at higher elevations (60cm being mentioned below).
The ski areas themselves are reporting 15-40cm across the mountain, though not moving those snow depth numbers much.
It remains extremely cold and I am happy to report that wind is not an issue and so lifts should be opening as planned this morning.
Visibility, though, is limited.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Benkei cape: WNW10m/s, Kamui cape: WNW10m/s 1010hPa, 1.4m waves. Hanazono1000m: -16.8℃, ENE0.7m/s. Hanazono720m: -13.1℃, W6.4m/s, Moiwa800m: -14.3℃, WNW4.0m/s, 60cm snowfall in 12h. Annupuri1100m: -17℃, W3.5m/s. Yu no sawa1100m: -16.4℃, WSW1.9m/s, Mizu no sawa top: 15.6℃, WNW1.9m/s. Kutchan weather station: -15.0℃, E1.2m/s, 151cm snow depth, 1011.4hPa. Moiwa base: -13℃, light wind, 60cm snowfall in 12h, 30cm in 6h.
A westerly 10m/s wind has kept blowing under a moderate wintery pressure distribution and made cold air flow in. The snow has kept falling, up to 60+cm throughout the mountain. Snowdrifts have developed slowly under 1300m elevation, made cornices grow at the Backbowl’s sidewall and a thick knoll is present under the deposited snowdrift. Large scale surface slab avalanche hazard is still highly considerable in those aspects. Stay away from the Backbowl even if the peak gates open. The general avalanche risk below 1000m elevation seems relatively low, however unpredictable accidents can occur in winter mountains.
The snow is good but maybe a little too deep. Better not venture out of the gates without carrying snowshoes or skins. Powder baskets are recommended on ski poles. Gate 8 in Annupuri is scheduled to open today. Listen to the ski patrol’s instructions before stepping out of the gate. Do not go ride the cornice slopes and never stay at the bottom of the gully. One avalanche will sweep through the bottom. Carry a beacon, probe and shovel and wear a helmet. We hope we can end the day without accidents. Have a good one.
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Planned ski area operations: Sunday 10th January 2021
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 290cm (+0cm)
- Base: 170cm (-5cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All planned lifts operating (see note below)
- Ace Family Quad, Ace Number 2 Center Four open for night skiing
Courses:
- All courses open
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 225cm (+5cm)
- Base: 170cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts operating
- No night skiing
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 200cm (+0cm)
- Base: 150cm (+10cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts operating during the daytime
- Jumbo Number 1 quad opens for night skiing
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 210cm (+10cm)
- Base: 150cm (+10cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All open apart from Upper Village Gondola, Morino and Country Road
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Night time operations are available in the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas until 7th March 2021.
There is no night skiing in the Niseko HANAZONO area.
The Ace Pair Number 1, 3 and 4, King Pair Number 1 lift and King Quad Number 2 lifts are being rested for the season at Niseko Grand Hirafu.
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Sunday 10th January 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 597cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 41 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 34cm (31st December) November 2020 snowfall 62cm reported on 6 days December 2020 snowfall 348cm reported on 25 days January 2021 snowfall 187cm reported on 10 days |
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.