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Niseko Now: Sunday 1st March 2020

  • Mar 1, 2020
  • 3 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido


New snowfall at base 4cm
Snowfall at base this season 663cm

Posted on Sunday 1st March 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here


It is noticeably milder this morning, though still under zero early morning.


And there is a bit of fresh snow on the ground too. I am measuring 4cm.


Lots of cloud around this morning and light snow has been falling. As I look out the window now, it's very light and looks like it might stop soon.


There looks to be regular (light?) snow on the forecast over the coming week, with heavier snowfall potential forecast for around Thursday.


As expected, things are quieter than normally expected.


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Niseko Avalanche Report


Mountain Base: -2°, 2cm new snow in last 12hrs, cloudy. Moiwa 800m: SE 129deg 1.5m/s, -5.0°. Annupuri 1100m: SE 125deg 3.3m/s, -7.5°. Yu no Sawa 1000m: SSW 199deg 1.6m/s, -7.0°. Niseko Village 900m: SSE 151deg 3.1m/s, -6.2°. Hirafu 1000m :S 180deg 5.8m/s, -7.2°. Hanazono 720m: SSW 201deg 2.6m/s, -4.3°. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: S 3m/s. Kamui Cape E 5m/s, 1015hPa, wave 0.7m.


We are currently under a low pressure system which has been bringing warm southerly air since yesterday. There has been some snowdrift development on leeward slopes above 600m, about 20cm and heavy. From observation and data the general avalanche risk is low, however there is the possibility of SW facing snow drifts slopes easily collapsing due to effects from solar radiation, take care. All gates are expected to be open when prepared. Watch out for new cracks opening with the rising temperatures. Never enter strictly off limits areas Haru no Taki or Yu no sawa. Please respect and understand the Niseko Rules. Have a good day.


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Ski resort operation information: Sunday 1st March 2020


Niseko Grand Hirafu


Official snow depth (reported by resort):

- Peak: 295cm

- Base: 125cm


All lifts are normally operating EXCEPT:

- Ace Number 1 pair lift (normally rested)

- King Number 2 quad lift (normally rested)


Lifts scheduled for late operations:

- Ace Family quad until 8:30pm

- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad until 8:20pm

- Hirafu Gondola until 8:10pm

- Holiday Number 1 pair until 8:30pm


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Niseko HANAZONO Resort


Official snow depth (reported by resort):

- Peak: 210cm

- Base: 125cm


All lifts are normally operating


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Niseko Annupuri


Official snow depth (reported by resort):

- Peak: 180cm

- Base: 110cm


All lifts are normally operating


Lift scheduled for late operations:

- Jumbo Number 1 quad until 8:30pm


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Niseko Village


Official snow depth (reported by resort):

- Peak: 190cm

- Base: 110cm


All lifts normally operating EXCEPT:

- Country Road Chair (normally rested)


Lifts scheduled for late operations:

- Annupuri Village Gondola until 8:00pm

- Village Express until 8:00pm

- Banzai Chair until 8:00pm



Niseko Now 2019-2020 season

Data as of Sunday 1st March 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 663cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 71 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 33cm (21st January) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 207cm reported on 21 days January 2020 snowfall 224cm reported on 20 days February 2020 snowfall 143cm reported on 19 days March 2020 snowfall 4cm 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.


SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for.



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