Niseko Now: Sunday 13th December 2020
- Dec 13, 2020
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 129cm
Posted on Sunday 13th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just a light dusting really overnight and I wish I had a 0.5cm setting... I am going to be kind as it feels like a slight 'round-up' to record 1cm today. Detail fans, don't worry - I will take that into account in another report.
It is a cold morning and it is going to remain cold through the day (and hopefully the week). My trusty thermometer is saying -5C, and I note that Niseko Grand Hirafu say -10C up top and Annupuri are reporting -15C.
Just cloudy now and some very light snow again in place. But very light, not the kind that adds up.
From later on today we are expecting regular snowfall - and heavy at times, not just a dusting. I think we can let ourselves be excited about what is ahead this week.
Let us hope that the forecasts are right and we get a decent amount over the coming days.
-----
On their official updates this morning, for snow conditions at base, Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Annupuri have chosen 'powder snow', while Niseko Village has chosen 'hard pack'.
I would say it is definitely one of those more than the other. (!)
I often wonder about this. When we get a significant dump of beautiful fresh fluffy light snow - and snow conditions are clearly much better than they currently are - is that still just going to be 'powder snow' on the official information? I think it probably is.
Which I think is kind of unfortunate, because if it's always going to be 'powder snow', it's kind of difficult to gauge.
Just my personal opinion on these things. Let me add that I do realise that no reports are going to be perfect - mine included.
-----
Ski resort operation information: Sunday 13th December 2020
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 100cm
- Base: 55cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Ace Family quad
- Ace Number 2 Center quad
- King Number 3 quad
Courses available:
- Family
- Sennoki
- Alpen
- Green
- Kokutai
- Detour for Beginners
- Center
- Shirakaba
- Rinkan (lower part)
- Jumbo
- Connection between King Number 3 and Center course
-----
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 70cm
- Base: 25cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
-----
Niseko Annupuri
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 65cm
- Base: 35cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad
Courses available:
- Utopia Course
- Shirakaba Course
- Paradise Course
- Junior Course
-----
Niseko Village
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 50cm
- Base: 20cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola
- Village Express
- Community Chair
- Banzai Chair
-----
Night time operations are available in the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas from Saturday 19th December 2020.
There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area.
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Sunday 13th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 129cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 14 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (10th November) November 2020 snowfall 62cm reported on 6 days December 2020 snowfall 67cm reported on 8 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.