Niseko Now: Saturday 20th February 2021
- Feb 20, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 1060cm
Posted on Saturday 20th February 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I had to cancel my 'research' yesterday and was not able to make it out on the mountain.
Wind is making the headlines this morning, preventing top lifts and the Annupuri and Village gondolas from starting the day as planned.
Light (but kind of wet) snow is falling at the moment, and it feels relatively mild. The ski areas themselves are describing snow conditions as 'spring' this morning. That's all relative too, of course, but whatever I don't think we want to be mentioning spring too much while we are still in February. And on that front the good news is that it should be colder again tomorrow and from around Monday night onwards we should be once again back to snow building up.
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I am getting a little confused with the Hirafu night skiing lifts situation - two lifts plan to be moving again tonight. I'm guessing it's a weekday/weekend thing at the moment, but will investigate today and get that cleared up, promise.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
6:25am Benkei cape: W8m/s, Kamui cape: SW22m/s, 992hPa, 1.8m waves. Hanazono 1000m: -2.8℃, WSW5.7m/s. Hanazono 720m: -1.7℃, SE3.3m/s. Moiwa 800m: -0.7℃, NNW5.9m/s. Anupuri 1100m: -3.2℃, WSW10.5m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -2.8℃, SW11.5m/s. Mizuno no Sawa Top: -2.2℃, SW10.3m/s. Kutchan town: 1.9℃, SW6.6m/s, 187cm snow depth, no new snowfall. Moiwa base: 1℃, 5cm wet snowfall in 12h.
A strong southerly blizzard blew above 1000m elevation as the warm front passed and made uneven snowdrifts developed in various places. The avalanche hazard level is rising in leeward slopes above 1000m elevation. This new low-pressure snowfall can easily slide, even in the forests, if the snowpack exceeds 30cm thickness. Those avalanches move slower, however are heavier and powerful, and can slide in a wide area like dry snow surface slab avalanches. Please use extra caution, and stay alert even in the tree runs. 15-20cm humid snow (low-pressure snowfall) is blanketing the forests under 800m elevation, a little heavy but good for riding. Please be careful not to hit trees.
A noticeable new layer (Feb 20th) will form under the future snowpack.
Gates opening is yet to be decided. Please respect the ski patrol decision. The groomers condition is good, however, the low-light makes it difficult to see the undulations. Beware of over speeding. We strongly recommend wearing a helmet and carrying a beacon. Stay alert and have a good day.
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Planned ski area operations: Saturday 20th February 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: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 460cm (-10cm)
- Base: 235cm (-5cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Ace Family Quad and Ace Number 2 Quad Center Four lifts operate for night skiing
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 305cm (-13cm)
- Base: 215cm (-10cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- There is no night skiing at Hanazono
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Niseko Annupuri
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 290cm (+5cm)
- Base: 210cm (+3cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift operates for night skiing
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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: 270cm (+0cm)
- Base: 230cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Community Chair lift operates 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.
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Saturday 20th February 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 1060cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 75 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 263cm 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.