Niseko Now: Wednesday 17th March 2021
- Mar 17, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 1197cm
Posted on Wednesday 17th March 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Hey, it's snowing!
It doesn't feel like full on winter, but definitely more winter-y than it has been of late. And there is even a few cm on the ground with Hirafu and Hanazono both reporting 5cm.
As we start the day the top lifts at Hirafu, Village and Annupuri - as well as the Annupuri gondola - are not opening as planned. You guessed it, pesky wind. The Niseko Village gondola is moving, but at a reduced speed. Hirafu Gondola open as planned.
Temperatures should keep about where they are over the coming week, so it's not heating up just yet.
There is still a lot to enjoy for the people able to be here. (Though perhaps not this bit: 'The current snowfall is mixed with yellow sand and tar'!)
Quiet and peaceful...
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
6:25am Benkei cape: NW18m/s. Kamui Cape: SW14m/s, 1004hPa, 1.6m waves. Hanazono 1000m: -7.1℃, ENE3.3m/s. Hanazono 720m: -4.1℃, WNW5.1m/s. Moiwa 800m: -4.7℃, W5.8m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -7.5℃, W7.4m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -7.1℃, WSW4.3m/s. Mizuno no Sawa Top: -6.2℃, WSW speed n/a. Kutchan town: -0.9℃, SSW4.9m/s, no new snowfall, 163cm snow depth. Moiwa base -3.0℃, 3cm snowfall, intermittent snow, poor visibility.
Following the passing of the low pressure system the pressure gradient has increased, there is 3cm of snowfall at the base and 15cm of wind affected wet snow, mixed with hail, above 600m. 30cm soft slabs around knolls are observed at 800m. Above 1000m there are strong northerly winds, lift operations are effected and gate openings undecided. From observation and the snowfall transition, leeward snow drifts are becoming slabs. If snowdrift thickness exceeds 40cm, the avalanche risk on cornice slopes and knolls will become high. Avoid cornices and knolls when dropping in from ridge lines. Ride one by one and avoid the gully bottoms.
Today's snow is unexpectedly good. Be careful hitting trees. If a surface avalanche fractures less than 50cm and you are wearing a beacon, there is a good chance of rescue and survival. Of course there are many factors in play, like the terrain, but because the debris impact is lower and a burial likely to be shallower, chances are good if you have a beacon on. Try not to trigger them in the first place though. Most avalanches are triggered by humans. The current snowfall is mixed with yellow sand and tar. The snow surface under this new “stop” snow is rough. Enjoy the new snow but be careful. Wear a helmet.
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Planned ski area operations: Wednesday 17th March 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: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 470cm (+5cm)
- Base: 205cm (+5cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 5 lifts today - Ace Family Quad, Ace Quad Center 4, Hirafu Gondola, King Quad 3, King 4
Open until (planned):
- Wednesday 5th May
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 303cm (-8cm)
- Base: 205cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 3 lifts today - Hanazono 1, 2 and 3
Open until (planned):
- Sunday 28th March
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Niseko Annupuri
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 3cm
- Base: 3cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 320cm (+0cm)
- Base: 190cm (-10cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 4 lifts today - Jumbo 2 and 3 rested
Open until (planned):
- Wednesday 5th May
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Niseko Village
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 320cm (-11cm)
- Base: 197cm (-9cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 5 lifts today - Niseko Gondola, Village Express, Community, Banzai, Wonderland
Open until (planned):
- Sunday 4th April [may re-open 1st-5th May]
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Night skiing has now finished for the 2020-2021 season
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Wednesday 17th March 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 1197cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 90 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 325cm reported on 24 days March 2021 snowfall 75cm reported on 8 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.