Niseko Now: Sunday 17th January 2021
- Jan 17, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 679cm
Posted on Sunday 17th January 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
What a contrast! (Was this forecast? If it was, I sure missed it!)
Yes, it is a beautiful morning here. There is blue skies and sunshine all around at the start of the day.
I see 30cm of snow is being reported in the below report from over in Moiwa, but I am not able to report anywhere near that much myself. I have measured 10cm since yesterday and the United ski areas themselves appear to be reporting 10-15cm.
It's back to being cold, there's some fresh snow, and the sun is shining down on us. I think it is time to get out and enjoy a few hours. If the forecast is correct these clear skies won't be lasting long... got to make the most of it.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
6:25am Benkei cape: E9m/s, Kamui cape: E3m/s, 1012hPa, 1.7m waves. Hanazono 1000m: -13.0℃, NNW4.0m/s. Hanazono 720m: -10.7℃, NNW1.8m/s. Moiwa 800m: -10.4℃, NE6.1m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -13.7℃, NNE5.4m/s. Yu no sawa 1100m: -13.3℃, N5.9m/s. Kutchan -7.0℃, NNW2.0m/s, 139cm snow depth, 1012.5hPa. Moiwa base: -8℃, 30cm snowfall in 12h.
The passing low-pressure generated east to northeast wind with snowfall during the night. Snowdrifts and windblown patches arepresent in western aspects above 500m elevation. The avalanche risk in western aspects, where most snowdrifts have developed, is high. Potential trigger layer is Jan 16th (hoar layer from changing temperature) with 50cm thick slabs on top. The Sea of Japan is relatively calm with an offshore wind.
Peak gates are scheduled to open as the wind settles down and top chairs start running. Pay attention to the ski patrol’s advice before stepping out of bounds. Better not drop into powder slopes until 10am. The slopes around 1000m in Mikaeri and Backbowl area might have been good yesterday but are dangerous today. According to the morning test with the snow cat, the transmission of stimulation is fast and the slabs fractured with a slight stimulation.
Slopes that were exposed to the wind are firm, uneven and crusty. Be careful not to fall and hit obstacles. It is strongly recommended to wear a helmet. Have you switched your beacon on? The snow condition is ever changing.
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Planned ski area operations: Sunday 17th 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: 305cm (+5cm)
- Base: 170cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts that are planned to be open should be operating
- 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: 238cm (+8cm)
- Base: 170cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All three lifts
- 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:
- All lifts that are planned to be open should be operating
- 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:
- All lifts that are planned to be open should be operating
- 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 Sunday 17th January 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 679cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 48 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 269cm reported on 17 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.