Niseko Now: Friday 15th January 2021
- Jan 15, 2021
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 9cm
Snowfall at base this season 663cm
Posted on Friday 15th January 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning once again from Niseko. The days whiz by and here we are in the middle of January...
This morning I have measured 9cm of fresh snowfall.
I am happy to report that it does not seem to be as windy this morning - definitely feels calmer, but I see that Niseko Village have their top lift noted as 'on hold' at the start of the day. The other top lifts are shown as set to open.
There are mostly cloudy skies all around early on and we're generally expecting that for the day. Once again, some hints of light blue behind the clouds.
Perhaps a little snow overnight night (would be good to keep the run of numbers going!) and then some colder conditions returning and more significant snow forecast for late weekend and early week.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data. Cape Benkei:NW13m/s. Cape Kamui: WSW9m/s, 1024hPa, wave 1.9m. Hanazono 1000m: -13℃, ESE1.7m/s. Hanazono 720: -10.3℃, NW6.7m/s. Moiwa 800m: -9.7℃, NNW7.9m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -12.9℃, WNW5.3m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -12.5℃, WNW2.7m/s. Mizuno no Sawa 900m: -11.8℃, SSW0.0m/s. Kutchan Town: 5.0℃, SW2.0m/s, snow depth 152cm, 1024.6hPa. Moiwa base: -8, 10cm snowfall in last 12hrs, calm, good visibility.
The atmospheric pressure gradient started to flatten out around midnight after 12hrs of winds above 25m/s. Around 11pm last night winds had dropped to 15m/s at 800m. 5-15cm of wind influenced small light crystal snow fell overnight, this should create a Jan15 layer. Over the last 24hrs there has been 150-200cm of cornice and snowdrift development, from tests it is hard, consolidated and has stabilised, however it collapses widely in tests with the grooming machines. From data and observation below 1000m the avalanche risk is falling however on cornice slopes around 1200m the risk remains high. Do not traverse knolls or open cornice slopes. Carelessly slope stimulation can trigger an avalanche. Do not wait in the valley bottoms, this is where the avalanche will run.
Peak gates are expected to be open. Please respect the patrol’s decisions. Avalanche will happen regardless of the amount of snow. They only become accidents when people are involved. Focus on the avalanche conditions, not the amount of snow. Risks are always higher right after a blizzard. Be cautious. Is your beacon on? Have a good day.
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Planned ski area operations: Friday 15th 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 (+0cm)
- Base: 170cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All planned lifts operating (see note below)
- 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:
- All three lifts operating
- There is no night skiing at Hanazono
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 240cm (+10cm)
- Base: 150cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts apart from Jumbo Number 3 operating during the daytime
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift operates for night skiing
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 230cm (+10cm)
- Base: 150cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola, Community Chair and Banzai Chair
- 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 Friday 15th January 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 663cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 46 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 253 cm reported on 15 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.