Niseko Now: Thursday 11th February 2021
- Feb 11, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 6cm
Snowfall at base this season 972cm
Posted on Thursday 11th February 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It's a national holiday today - National Foundation Day - and so we can (perhaps) expect more people around today than a usual weekday. The Swinging Monkey lift at Hirafu is operating this morning, as are all of the lifts at Annupuri.
This morning we have a break from the snow falling and while there is still a lot of cloud around there is actually some blue skies in places. There may be some sunshine today and there is a high chance of sunny blue skies tomorrow and on Saturday too. Is that rain I see on the forecast for late Sunday. Yuck!
So expect a warmer spell to be followed by a dip in temps again along with fresh snow around Tuesday.
Let's hope it doesn't warm up too much in the next few days.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data 6:25am. Cape Benkei:NW12m/s. Cape Kamui: E2m/s, 1014hPa, wave0.7m. Hanazono 1000m: -10.3℃, WNW7.6m/s. Hanazono 720: -7.8℃, NW6.1m/s(10min avg). Moiwa 800m: -8.1℃, NNW5.8m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -11.7℃, WNW5.3m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -11.2℃, NNW2.3m/s. Mizuno no Sawa Top: -10.2℃, WNW5.2m/s. Kutchan Town:-7.7℃, SSE0.9m/s, snow depth 197cm, 1014.7hPa. Moiwa base: -7, good visibility, trace new snow in last 12hrs, calm.
From observation and data the general avalanche risk is low. Gates are expected to be open depending on lift operation. Please listen to the patrols advice and prepare before going out of bounds. Do not duck ropes. Although there is only a little new snow, above 800m is reset. The snow is good today.
The Niseko Rules were established to prevent off piste accidents. In the 80’s when the lifts were extended to 1150m accidents became more common. Then unfortunately in the 90’s Niseko became No1 for avalanche accidents in Japan. As a result Niseko was forced to address accident prevention. Even on gentle mountains like Niseko avalanches sometimes happen and with so much powder riding going on good luck wasn't going to cut it anymore. This is why the Niseko Rules were created. Strictly off limits areas Haru no Taki and Yu no Sawa are not off limits just because they are dangerous. Events conspired at that time that to install the gate system, giving access to the peak and most other areas on the mountain, required blocking access to several valleys lower on the mountain. Over time, access to Mizu no Sawa was opened again following an avalanche control program by the ski resorts. Please take time to understand why and what the Niseko Rules are.
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Planned ski area operations: Thursday 11th February 2021
The below information is manually checked each morning from official sources.
The numbers in brackets show the change in the official snow depth numbers since the previous report.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 15cm
- Base: 15cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 440cm (+10cm)
- Base: 255cm (+5cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: Ace Family Quad, Ace Quad Center 4, Hirafu Gondola, King Number 3 Quad, King Number 4, Swinging Monkey
- Ace Family Quad and Ace Number 2 Center Four lifts operate for night skiing
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 20cm
- Base: 15cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 320cm (+0cm)
- Base: 240cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: All lifts
- There is no night skiing at Hanazono
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Niseko Annupuri
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 20cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 270cm (+0cm)
- Base: 200cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: All lifts
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift operates for night skiing
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Niseko Village
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 2cm
- Base: 2cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 340cm (+2cm)
- Base: 232cm (+2cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: Niseko Gondola, Community Chair, Banzai Chair and Wonderland Chair
- Community Chair and Banzai Chair lifts operate for night skiing
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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. There may be other lift operation changes at the moment due to coronavirus situation. Do be sure to check for details with ski areas.
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Thursday 11th February 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 972cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 69 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 34cm (31st December and 18th January) November 2020 snowfall 62cm reported on 6 days December 2020 snowfall 348cm reported on 25 days January 2021 snowfall 387cm reported on 27 days February 2021 snowfall 175cm reported on 11 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.