Niseko Now: Monday 1st February 2021
- Feb 1, 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 803cm
Posted on Monday 1st February 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
As we start the new month there is a modest amount of fresh snow to report and, alas, a few top lifts are not able to start up as planned... and indeed it would appear that the wind is if anything going to be more of a factor as the day goes on, so keep that in mind. Kind of annoying. All three Gondolas are open as planned though.
Having said that, there's plenty area open and the snow is good and it is not busy, so fun times are always close at hand.
Forecasts show today being on the milder side with colder conditions again tomorrow through Thursday, along with that regular snowfall we are used to.
I'll post my monthly re-cap review of January and the season so far either tomorrow or Wednesday.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data 6:25am. Cape Benkei:SSE6m/s. Cape Kamui:S10m/s, 1021hPa, wave1.5m. Hanazono 1000m: -11.4℃, S6.7m/s. Hanazono 720:-8.1℃, WSW6.3m/s. Moiwa 800m: -8.4℃, WSW1.7m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -11.4℃, W5.0m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -10.8℃, SW6.4m/s. Mizuno no Sawa Top: -10.6℃, WSW3.0m/s. Kutchan Town:-7.0℃, SE2.5m/s, snow depth 155cm, 1024.8hPa. Moiwa base: -8, 10cm new snow in last 6hrs, calm.
The wind and snow have settled down overnight. Snow drifts will continue stabilizing under the 10-15cm of light crystal snow that fell pre dawn.. From observation and data the avalanche risk at 800-1000m is low. Strong impact tests by groomers at 800m showed fracture at 80-100cm on Jan 29th layer. Be careful on knoll terrain and cornice slopes above 1000m where snowdrifts have not stabilised yet. Ride one by one and do not hang around in the valley bottom.
Gates are expected to be open. Prepare before going out of bounds. Do not duck ropes. A southerly wind is expected to pick up before noon as a low pressure system approaches. Take early action. The snow condition is fantastically good. Is your beacon on? Don't forget your helmet. Have a good day.
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Planned ski area operations: Monday 1st February 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: 350cm (+0cm)
- Base: 190cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift on hold at start of the day
- Planned: Ace Family Quad, Ace Quad Center 4, Hirafu Gondola, King Number 3 Quad, King Number 4
- Ace Family Quad and 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: 255cm (-5cm)
- Base: 185cm (-5cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts operating
- Planned: 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: 260cm (+0cm)
- Base: 190cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift on hold at start of the day
- Planned: All lifts apart from Jumbo Number 2 and 3
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift operates for night skiing
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 250cm (+0cm)
- Base: 170cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: Niseko Gondola, Community Chair, Mori no Chair, Banzai Chair and Wonderland Chair
- 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.
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 Monday 1st February 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 803cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 59 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 34cm (31st December and 18th January) 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 6cm reported on 1 day |
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.