Niseko Now: Monday 22nd March 2021
- Mar 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 1199cm
Posted on Monday 22nd March 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
A bit of a dusting greets us this morning and there's perhaps a few cm of snow on the slopes. Light snow is falling as I write this and it is currently just around 0C.
The Annupuri Gondola doesn't seem to be moving this morning but other than that lifts are starting the day as planned.
Update just before I post this: all top lifts are now on hold.
Doh!
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
6:25am Benkei cape: NW17m/s, Kamui cape: W13m/s, 998hPa, 1.6m waves. Hanazono 1000m: -1.0℃, ESE2.9.0m/s. Hanazono 720m: -2.2℃, ENE speed n/a. Moiwa 800m: -2.6℃, WNW8.9m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -5.0℃, WSW8.8m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -4.5℃, SSW0.4m/s?. Mizuno no Sawa top: -3.8℃, WSW speed n/a. Kutchan town: 1.6℃, W7.3m/s, 1cm snowfall in 24h, 147cm snow depth. Moiwa base: -1.5℃, high winds, snowstorm, poor visibility.
We have been loosing about 10cm of snow daily at the base but today we have a snowstorm. Above 800m snow drift development and mid winter conditions are observed. From the snowfall transition, observation and data, on leeward cornice and knoll slopes above 800m the avalanche risk is increasing. The snowdrifts (wind slab)that are developing due to the strong winds are not consolidating as they grow. No matter what the condition of the older snow is, developing snowdrifts can fracture from an external stimuli and cause an avalanche. That's why many accidents occur during wind storms. Niseko is working to prevent accidents based on this concept. Gates will be closed to prevent accidents. When the wind drops, the risk drops.
Sometimes the wind meters get frozen in damp conditions and data is unavailable. In these conditions frostbite is a danger. The mountain is moving into spring with repeated freeze thaw cycles. To avoid getting caught in a full depth avalanche don't climb up creek gullies or ride down into valley bottoms. Always take a helmet, beacon and rescue equipment.
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Planned ski area operations: Monday 22nd 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: 1cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 470cm (+0cm)
- Base: 195cm (-5cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 5 lifts today - Ace Family Quad, Ace Quad Center 4, Hirafu Gondola, King Quad 3, King 4
Open until (planned):
- Wednesday 5th May
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 2cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 310cm (+0cm)
- Base: 195cm (-3cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: All 3 lifts
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: 4 lifts today - Jumbo 2 and 3 rested
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: 320cm (+3cm)
- Base: 192cm (-2cm)
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 Monday 22nd March 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 1199cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 92 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 77cm reported on 10 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.