Niseko Now: Wednesday 17th February 2021
- Feb 17, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 48cm
Snowfall at base this season 1023cm
Posted on Wednesday 17th February 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
After an early morning brief walk I didn't venture outside at all yesterday. It was pretty wild out there. Annupuri closed at 3:30pm and night skiing was, of course, cancelled. I wonder how many people actually got their skis or board on yesterday...
Check out the reported new snowfall numbers being reported by the areas! Hirafu reporting 70cm at peak, Village reporting 50-70cm. I can't recall the last time I saw such large numbers from the ski areas. Annupuri have 0cm as their snowfall number. Obviously that has just not been updated this morning (at the time of writing). They are probably busy. But, of course, I can't update their number for them... and I can't mind-read in advance of them posting! ;)
The only number I have control over in this report* is my observed snowfall from here at base. Often it is quite simple. I measure it at my trusted (not too wind-affected) spot, make a few observations nearby, and that's it. On a morning like this morning, though, with the wild wind that we have experienced over the last day, you can probably look in different places and measure a different number in each place. So I am going to just go with my usual spot - and my number is 48cm.
The unfriendly weather conditions continue this morning and at opening time only the one lift at Hirafu (Ace Family quad), two lifts at Village (Community and Banzai) and three lifts at Annupuri are scheduled to be operating (Dream quad, Jumbo 1 and 2 -- planned to open but delayed as they deal with snow).
It is all rather limited and I'm sure many people will be sitting it out and waiting for things to calm down. That is probably a wise idea. It doesn't feel safe out there.
Once the weather does calm down though - by Friday? - conditions should be excellent!
* For each report I manually check and update all other numbers from official sources.
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Update at 8:50am:
It looks like there are people lined up for the base Hanazono lift and it is moving; presumably it is opening.
It also looks like only the Dream and Jumbo 1 lifts are scheduled to open at Annupuri, rather than three lifts.
Things might change further.
See you tomorrow.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data 6:25am. Cape Benkei:WNW16m/s(3:25am SW22m/s). Cape Kamui: SW23m/s(23:25 SW27m/s), 986hPa, wave5.6m. Hanazono 1000m: -9.8℃, SE speed n/a. Hanazono 720: 11.7℃, ENE5.8m/s. Moiwa 800m: n/a. Annupuri 1100m: -14.8℃, W9.9m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -14.2℃, WSW6.1m/s. Mizuno no Sawa Top: -13.4℃, WSW8.4m/s. Kutchan Town: -7.9℃, SW5.2m/s, snow depth 207cm, 990.6hPa. Moiwa base: -9, light wind, snow, bad visibility, 40cm in last 12 hrs.
The wind above 1000m is still strong with cornice and snow drift development continuing. At 2am the wind below 800m began to drop, however snowfall increased at 700m level. From observation, developing snowdrifts are not stable and there is the possibility of an avalanche with a large fracture face on knolls and cornice slopes. From data evaluation the general avalanche risk is high. If the wind drops and lifts start running, stay away from creek terrain today. Even the forests are not safe today. Waist or chest deep snow is always dangerous, but today there is the possibility of avalanches in the trees too. Be careful if heading to the Chise/Goshiki areas. Gate opening yet to be decided. The grooming machines are doing snow removal on the runs rather than just packing it down. The snow on the sides of the runs is deep. The avalanche risk will fall when the weather settles down. Have a good day.
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Planned ski area operations: Wednesday 17th 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: 70cm
- Base: 0cm (obviously not updated)
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 460cm (+50cm)
- Base: 240cm (+40cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: See above
- 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: 40cm
- Base: 25cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 315cm (+35cm)
- Base: 225cm (-35cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: All closed
- 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 (obviously not updated)
- Base: 0cm (obviously not updated)
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 290cm (+0cm)
- Base: 200cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: See above
- 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: 70cm
- Base: 50cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 260cm (+26cm)
- Base: 220cm (+20cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: See above
- Community Chair lift operates 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 Wednesday 17th February 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 1023cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 72 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 48cm (17th February) 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 226cm 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.