Niseko Now: Thursday 21st January 2021
- Jan 21, 2021
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 757cm
Posted on Thursday 21st January 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It is noticeably not as cold this morning. We are starting the day with cloudy skies and what looks like somewhat limited visibility on the mountain, though we may well see things clearing up before the end of the day.
The forecast looking ahead shows a few days of calmer and generally clearer skies coming up. Perhaps some extended periods of sunshine. After all this snowfall in the last few weeks, I think everyone here will be enjoying some of that for a change. Even so, it should be keeping quite cold so snow conditions should remain really good.
There is still a bit of a westerly wind around still this morning but hopefully lift operations will not be affected. They are all scheduled to be operating from the beginning of the day. Actually, no, scratch that. Since I started writing this, I see that the top lifts at Village and Hirafu are now on hold. Doh.
-----
Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data 6:25am. Cape Benkei:WNW15m/s. Cape Kamui: SW17m/s, 1016hPa, wave 1.4m. Hanazono 1000m: -5.8℃, SSW5.4m/s. Hanazono 720: na. Moiwa 800m: -4.7℃, W1.6m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -6.5℃, W5.6m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -6.1℃, WSW3.8m/s. Mizuno no Sawa Top: -5.8℃, WSW3.8m/s. Kutchan Town: -3.6℃,SSW4.4m/s, snow depth 164cm, 1020.2hPa. Moiwa base: -6, lightwinds, 20cm of new snow in the last 12hrs.
There is a moderate south westerly wind coming off the edge of a high pressure system, thick fog, wind and snow from the sea of japan are coming in at 1000m on the Hanazono face of HigashiOne. Yesterday's snowdrifts have consolidated and stabilised, however at 6am the winds picked up again and 20cm of light crystal snow fell to dawn. From data, observation and tests, the general avalanche risk is low. Peak gates are expected to be open. Please be prepared and listen to the patrol's opinion before going out of bounds.
Niseko respects your freedom to ride out of bounds, while at the same time paying serious attention to your safety. Out of bounds areas are not managed terrain or part of the ski resort. You can get rescued, but charges will apply. Please respect and follow Niseko Rules. Wear a helmet to protect your head. Also carry a beacon, probe and shovel. They are not only looks, they can save your life. The snow is good again today.
Avalanche Information will not be issued tomorrow.
-----
Planned ski area operations: Thursday 21st January 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: 210cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: Ace Family Quad, Ace Quad Center 4, Hirafu Gondola, King Number 3 Quad, King Number 4, Swinging Monkey
- Ace Family Quad and Ace Number 2 Center Four lifts operate for night skiing
-----
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 270cm (-10cm)
- Base: 203cm (-7cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: All three lifts
- There is no night skiing at Hanazono
-----
Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 250cm (+0cm)
- Base: 180cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: Annupuri Gondola, Dream Quad, Jumbo Quad Number 1, Jumbo Pair Number 4
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift operates for night skiing
-----
Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 230cm (+0cm)
- Base: 150cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: Niseko Gondola, Community Chair, Banzai Chair and Wonderland Chair
- Community Chair and Banzai Chair lifts operate for night skiing
-----
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.
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Thursday 21st January 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 757cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 52 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 347cm reported on 21 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.