Niseko Now: Friday 21st February 2020
- Feb 21, 2020
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 5cm
Snowfall at base this season 624cm
Posted on Friday 21st February 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just a bit more snowfall to report to you this morning. There is a lot of cloud around at the moment but some blue sky as well and the sun has been making itself seen too at times this morning.
All lifts are scheduled to be operating as planned this morning.
Tomorrow is still looking likely to be rather mild but it should not last too long with snow due again for Sunday.
And that's about all I have for this morning! I hope you have a good day.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa Mountain Base: -5°, 5cm in last 12 hrs. Moiwa 800m: measured NW 6m/s(equip failure), -7.0°, 30cm snowdrift development. Yu no Sawa 1000m: WNW 293deg 3.3m/s, -10.4°. Niseko Village 900m: WNW 293deg 3.3m/s, -9.6°. Hirafu 1000m :WNW 291deg 0.7m/s(propeller icing?), -10.8°. Hanazono 720m: NNW 324deg 3.4m/s, -7.0°. Annupuri 1100m: Wind meter failure Annupuri 1000m: snow depth 180cm Coastal data: Benkei Cape: 12m/s. Kamui Cape WNW 9m/s, 1031hPa, wave 1.5m. Kutchan Weather Station:-2.2°, 5cm new snow in last 24hrs.
We are on the edge of a high pressure system, moderately strong westerly winds that have caused snowdrift development above 800m. With little snow overnight, yesterday's tracks are still visible. From data and observation snowdrifts have stabilized and general avalanche risk is low. Peak gates are expected to be open. Off-piste snow extremely variable. Be careful falling into cracks or hitting trees. Today's snow is shallow but good and winds have dropped from yesterday. Moiwa Gate 6, the upper Moiwa Bowl area is starting to crack from ground heat, take care.
When going out the gates carry a beacon, shovel, probe, short rope and some emergency food. Next winter a beacon and helmet will be compulsory to use the Niseko gates system. Have a good day.
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Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 280cm
- Base: 110cm
All lifts are normally operating EXCEPT:
- Ace Number 1 pair lift (normally rested)
- King Number 2 quad lift (normally rested)
All courses normally open
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: 199cm
- 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 Friday 21st February 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 624cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 66 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 108cm reported on 15 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.