Niseko Now: Thursday 14th January 2021
- Jan 14, 2021
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 15cm
Snowfall at base this season 654cm
Posted on Thursday 14th January 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Hello and good morning from Niseko.
The consistent snowfall continues. This morning I am adding 15cm to my report. I was just looking back, the last report when I was not able to report fresh snowfall was on 23rd December!
It isn't the best quality snow that we often expect here due to the milder conditions. But that is not a complaint - just an observation. Currently my thermometer outside says -1C.
We need to be wary of wind again today and as yesterday we are starting the day with top lifts on hold; today including the top Hanazono lift as well.
Should be calmer tomorrow and remaining mild. A return to really cold is due later weekend.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data. Cape Benkei:NW20m/s. Cape Kamui: W18m/s, 1004hPa, wave 1.5m. Hanazono 1000m: -6.8℃, ESE2.6m/s. Hanazono 720: -4.4℃, NNW5.9m/s. Moiwa 800m: -4.4℃, WNW6.9m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -7.1℃, W8.5m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -6.6℃, WSW5.1m/s. Mizuno no Sawa 900m: -5.7℃, WNW4.5m/s. Kutchan Town: 0.5℃, SW4.0m/s, snow depth 152cm, 1005.4hPa. Moiwa base: -2, 10cm snowfall in last 6hrs, moderate wind.
The weather quickly changed at 4am after a cold front passed through, cold wind and snow will persist above 1000m. From observation, there is 50cm of consolidated and stable snow drift development on top of the Jan 12 layer, then the new snow this morning on top of a Jan 13 layer. The snowfall transition indicates the avalanche risk rapidly rising through the day. As of 6am, above 1000m with winds and snow exceeding 20m/s the peak gates are expected to be closed, others are yet to be decided. Please respect the patrol's decisions.
The avalanche risk on surrounding mountains will be the same as on Annupuri today. In the trees after 10am there is the risk of snowdrifts fracturing, be careful. Below 800m in the forests the snow is a bit heavy but good. Be careful losing visibility and falling into holes and cracks or hitting trees. There are always dangers on the mountain. Is your beacon on?
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Planned ski area operations: Thursday 14th January 2021
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report.
The numbers in brackets show the change in the official snow depth numbers since the previous report.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 300cm (+10cm)
- Base: 170cm (+10cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift on hold
- Ace Family Quad, Ace Number 2 Center Four lifts operate for night skiing
Courses:
- All courses open
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 228cm (+8cm)
- Base: 165cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift on hold
- There is no night skiing at Hanazono
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 230cm (+0cm)
- Base: 150cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift and gondola on hold
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift operates for night skiing
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 220cm (+10cm)
- Base: 150cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Gondola and top lift on hold
- Village Express, 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.
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Thursday 14th January 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 654cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 45 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 244 cm reported on 14 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.