Niseko Now: Friday 1st January 2021
- Jan 1, 2021
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 18cm
Snowfall at base this season 428cm
Posted on Friday 1st January 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning everyone and Happy New Year.
We start 2020 with more fresh snow and limited visibility. The webcam images this morning are looking quite similar to yesterday. The snow doesn't look like it's going to quit any time soon.
At the beginning of the day a bunch of lifts are on hold including all the top lifts and the gondolas at Annupuri and Village.
And it is cold! Annupuri is reporting a temperature of -23C as their peak reading as of 8:30am.
Going to need a few layers to keep warm and toasty in those conditions.
Talking about toast, it's time for my first slice of the year. I might even treat myself to two. (That's how gnarly I am).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data. Cape Benkei: NNW20m/s. Cape Kamui: WSW16m/s, 1008hPa, wave 2.6m. Hanazono 1000m: -19.3℃, SSE4.5m/s. Hanazono 720: -14.6℃, NNE3.5m/s. Mizuno no Sawa 900m: -17.9℃, NW5.3m/s. Moiwa 800m: -16.4℃, NNW10.5m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -19.4℃, WNW7.4m/s. Kutchan Town: -11.7℃, W4.0m/s, snow depth 114cm, 1009.4hPa. Moiwa base: -12, light winds, snowfall 20cm.
The winter weather pattern continues with a snow bearing wind and snow drift development. On SE Annupuri aspects and Mikaeri Bowl, depending on elevation and slope, the build up has been large. From tests fracture propagation speed is high and with little stimulation travelling long distances. Fracture face 40-60cm. On leeward slopes above 800m, steep open slopes and creek sidewalls the avalanche risk is high. Avoid knolls and cornices, ride one by one. Do not hang around in the middle of slopes or in the creek bottoms.
Snow drift and cornice development is continuing and stabilizing, however the wind has been inconsistent and development is not uniform. The upper 50cm deposited in the last 6hrs is easily fracturing. Peak gate opening is yet to be decided. Please respect the Patrols decisions. The snow is good. Be careful of frost bite, its cold. Is your beacon on? Happy New Year.
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Planned ski area operations: Friday 1st January 2021
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 240cm (+5cm)
- Base: 150cm (+5cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift on hold at start of the day
- Ace Family Quad, Ace Number 2 Center Four open for night skiing
Courses:
- All courses open
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 195cm (+10cm)
- Base: 145cm (+5cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift on hold at start of the day
- No night skiing
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 160cm (+10cm)
- Base: 120cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Gondola and top lift on hold at start of the day
- Jumbo Number 1 quad opens for night skiing
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 170cm (+10cm)
- Base: 115cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Gondola and top lift on hold at start of the day
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Night time operations are available in the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas until 7th March 2021.
Lifts marked [*] are scheduled to be operating during night skiing, until 8:00pm.
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 Friday 1st January 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 428cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 32 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 18cm 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.