Niseko Now: Saturday 16th January 2021
- Jan 16, 2021
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 6cm
Snowfall at base this season 669cm
Posted on Saturday 16th January 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
So I do have snow to report to you this morning. Due to the mild conditions at the moment it's kind of heavy and wet.
Unfortunately at the start of the day today all of the peak lifts are on hold due to persistent windy conditions, as is the gondola at Niseko Village.
It looks like all of the peak gates are going to be closed today due to 'treacherous conditions'. Hopefully those conditions will be improved soon with fresh snow.
I'm going to sit it out.
And have some toast. Hope you have a good Saturday.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Benkei cape 6:25am: WSW8m/s. Kamui cape: SSW26m/s, 995hPa, 1.9m waves. Hanazono 1000m: -3.9℃, SSW13.2m/s, Hanazono 720m: -4.6℃, S6.0m/s, Moiwa800m: -1.4℃, SSW7.0m/s, Annupuri 1100m: -3.6℃, SSW7.4m/s, Yu no sawa 1100m: -3.4℃, SSW13.8m/s, Mizuno no Sawa: -2.5℃, SW9.7m/s, Kutchan: +2.6℃, SW6.9m/s, 141cm snow depth, 999.6hPa. Moiwa base: -1℃, 20cm wet snowfall in 12h, good visibility.
The temperature went up as a low-pressure system passed. A strong southerly wind blew above 800m elevation with thick fog and storms. Wind and snow is forecasted to pick up again as the wind shifts westerly and temperature drops. Wet and heavy snowdrifts have developed dramatically above 800m elevation This heavy snowpack is extremely unstable and would break with the slightest stimulation. The avalanche risk in the north-facing 30+° slopes above 750m is extreme today. The chairlifts might start running as the wind shifts and settles, but better stay away from open steep slopes above 650m elevation today.
It’s a good day to stay in the tree-runs. The snow around 600m elevation forests haven’t been too affected by the wind and is not in bad shape. Sunlight is weak and it’s difficult to see the surface undulations. Heavy snow is also likely to catch the skis/board, so be careful not hitting trees. All peak gates will be shut today. Please follow the ski patrol's instructions. Treacherous conditions today, please be careful.
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Planned ski area operations: Saturday 16th 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:
- Top lift on hold
- Ace Family Quad, Ace Number 2 Center Four lifts operate for night skiing
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 230cm (+2cm)
- Base: 170cm (+5cm)
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: 240cm (+0cm)
- Base: 150cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift 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: 230cm (+0cm)
- Base: 150cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift and Gondola 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 Saturday 16th January 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 669cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 47 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 259 cm reported on 16 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.