Niseko Now: Monday 22nd February 2021
- Feb 22, 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 1064cm
Posted on Monday 22nd February 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Yesterday it was getting fairly bright around lunchtime and brighter still by the end of the day with quite a lot of blue sky out towards Mt Yotei. Even so there was some very pretty light snow falling in places.
The 1cm of snow that I am posting this morning is from post-report yesterday morning.
This morning I can see Mt Yotei from the start of the day. Yes, we have a clear morning at last.
And... all of the lifts that are scheduled to be open are doing so at the start of the day and peak gates are expected to be open.
Spring does feel like it is kind of around the corner, or perhaps around a few corners. Hopefully big ones. Before we get there we have more snow to receive. Starting tomorrow, and if the forecasts are right, we can expect those snow clouds to be back with us for a bunch of days again. We will be back to snow and cold, and we can delay those thoughts of spring. I like the sound of that.
Today is a national holiday in Japan and while some people will have today as a holiday, lift operations seem to be normal 'weekday'.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data 6:25am. Cape Benkei:S8m/s. Cape Kamui: calm, 1011hPa, wave 0.7m. Hanazono 1000m: -11.8℃, SSW6.8m/s. Hanazono 720: -5.8℃, SW8.8m/s. Moiwa 800m: -9.4℃, SSE2.1m/s. Annupuri 1100m:-12.0℃, WSW3.3m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -9.9℃, WSW5.7m/s. Mizuno no Sawa Top: -11.3℃, ESE windspeed n/a. Kutchan Town: -10.2℃, no new snow, snow depth 180cm. Moiwa base: -10, calm, sunny, no new snow.
There is very little atmospheric pressure gradient, the seas and mountains are calm with very little snow fall or snowdrift development. From observation, data, groomer and patrol reports the general avalanche risk is low. Peak gates are expected to be open. Please listen to the patrol’s opinions before going out of bounds. The snow is shallow and riding well. Be careful crashing, hitting things, falling in cracks or creeks. Do not hang around in the creek bottoms where avalanches might run. The mountain is a bit like spring. Have a good day. Don't forget your helmet and beacon.
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Planned ski area operations: Monday 22nd 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: 10cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 450cm (-5cm)
- Base: 230cm (-5cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 5 lifts today - Ace Family Quad, Ace Quad Center 4, Hirafu Gondola, King Quad 3, King 4
- Night skiing: Ace Center Four quad (every day) and Ace Family quad (Saturdays only at the moment)
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 7cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 307cm (+2cm)
- Base: 212cm (-3cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 3 lifts today - Hanazono 1, 2 and 3
- There is no night skiing at Hanazono
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Niseko Annupuri
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 5cm
- Base: 2cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 290cm (+5cm)
- Base: 210cm (+2cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 4 lifts today - Jumbo 2 and 3 rested on weekdays
- 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:
- Planned: 4 lifts today - Niseko Gondola, Community, Banzai, Wonderland
- 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 Monday 22nd February 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 1064cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 77 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 267cm reported on 19 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.