Niseko Now: Friday 12th February 2021
- Feb 12, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 974cm
Posted on Friday 12th February 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
What's this!? Beautiful blue skies and calm conditions. Yes, indeedy. We haven't seen much sunshine of late, but we sure have it this morning.
Yesterday, rather than the sun I mentioned might happen, we actually got some light snow starting to fall once again along with limited visibility in places and Mt Yotei again smothered with clouds. It was clearer by the evening, though some very light snow still falling in places. Very pretty.
And so here we are this morning with the sun shining down on us. Sun is forecast for today and for tomorrow too as all of Japan experiences something of a warm weekend.
Let us enjoy these clearer skies while they last - we can enjoy it all the more knowing that snow and cold is due back with us from Tuesday.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data 6:25am. Cape Benkei:E4m/s. Cape Kamui: ENE2m/s, 1028hPa, wave0.7m. Hanazono 1000m: -8.6℃, NNW7.5m/s. Hanazono 720: -7.3℃, NNW2.8m/s. Moiwa 800m: -7.2℃, ESE4.7m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -10.3℃, NNE7.2m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -10.2℃, NNE7.9m/s. Mizuno no Sawa Top: -8.8℃, NNE7.5m/s. Kutchan Town:-14.2℃, NW0.8m/s, snow depth 186cm, 1029.6hPa. Moiwa base: -8, sunny, calm, light frost.
General avalanche risk is low. All gates are expected to be open. Do not duck ropes to enter strictly off limits areas. Wear a helmet and beacon. There was a tragic accident when clearing snow off a roof in Kutchan yesterday. Pay very close attention where you attach your rope, its length and direction of the fall. Adjust the length with a prusik knot or jumar. When a roof slides it is like an avalanche, it moves instantly and you can not get away. Our deepest condolences to all those involved in the accident. Nature does not choose people.
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Planned ski area operations: Friday 12th 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: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 450cm (+10cm)
- Base: 255cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: Ace Family Quad, Ace Quad Center 4, Hirafu Gondola, King Number 3 Quad, King Number 4
- 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: 7cm
- Base: 2cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 320cm (+0cm)
- Base: 233cm (-7cm)
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: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 270cm (+0cm)
- Base: 200cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: All lifts apart from Jumbo 3
- 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: 3cm
- Base: 2cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 340cm (+0cm)
- Base: 232cm (+0cm)
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 Friday 12th February 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 974cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 70 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 177cm reported on 12 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.