Niseko Now: Sunday 21st March 2021
- Mar 21, 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 1198cm
Posted on Sunday 21st March 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
Some very light snow is falling at the moment and there's a dusting-like thin layer around, enough for me to award the report today with a cm. Ski areas are reporting up to 3cm on the mountain.
We'll probably be lucky if it remains as snow, as forecasts show rain.
Lots of cloud about this morning. And, it's windy. A southerly one as I write this the top lifts at Hanazono, Hirafu and Annupuri are showing purple (on hold). Gondolas all appear to be moving.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
6:25am Benkei cape: S14m/s, Kamui cape: ESE3m/s, 1012hPa, 0.6m waves. Hanazono 1000m: -5.7℃, SSE11.0m/s. Hanazono 720m: -3.2℃, SSW8.1m /s. Moiwa 800m: -3.8℃, ESE3.2m/s. Annupuri1100m: -6.0℃, SE3.4m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -5.6℃, SSW3.1m/s. Mizuno no Sawa top: -5.2℃, SSE3.1m/s. Kutchan town: 1.0℃, E4m/s, 1cm snowfall in 24h, 152cm snowdepth. Moiwa base: -2.0℃, 2cm new snow, calm, cloudy and good visibility.
A strong southerly wind is blowing and the visibility is poor due to thick fog above 1100m elevation as a low pressure system is approaching. Peak gates 2 & 3 will be shut. Other gates opening are to be determined. Please respect the ski patrol’s decision. Some snowdrifts have developed above 1000m elevation with the strong southerly wind. Shallow surface avalanches should be expected at the north face, east and west ridge (Higashi-One & Nishi-One) slopes. Sunlight is weak today and the surface undulations are difficult to see. Please beware of cracks and slip-drops. Some fresh snow can be found but the conditions are tricky and variable. Be cautious not to fall, hit trees and get injured. Boundary ropes are there for good reasons and should not be crossed thoughtlessly. One track under the rope would lead many others to follow it and increase the chances of accidents. Please respect the Niseko Rules. It is strongly recommended to wear a helmet and carry avalanche equipment.
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Planned ski area operations: Sunday 21st March 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: 3cm
- Base: 3cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 470cm (-5cm)
- Base: 200cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 7 lifts today - Ace Family Quad, Ace Quad Center 4, Holiday 1, Hirafu Gondola, King Quad 3, King 4, Swinging Monkey
Open until (planned):
- Wednesday 5th May
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 310cm (+0cm)
- Base: 198cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 3 lifts today - Hanazono 1, 2 and 3
Open until (planned):
- Sunday 28th March
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Niseko Annupuri
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 3cm
- Base: 3cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 320cm (+0cm)
- Base: 185cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 6 lifts today - all lifts
Open until (planned):
- Wednesday 5th May
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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: 317cm (+0cm)
- Base: 194cm (-1cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 5 lifts today - Niseko Gondola, Village Express, Community, Banzai, Wonderland
Open until (planned):
- Sunday 4th April [may re-open 1st-5th May]
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Night skiing has now finished for the 2020-2021 season
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Sunday 21st March 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 1198cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 91 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 325cm reported on 24 days March 2021 snowfall 76cm reported on 9 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.