Niseko Now: Saturday 23rd January 2021
- Jan 23, 2021
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 9cm
Snowfall at base this season 766cm
Posted on Saturday 23rd January 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It feels colder this morning once again and snow is falling. I can report to you another 9cm. Ski areas themselves are reporting around 10-15cm over the 24 hours and the Avalanche Report notes 10cm in 12 hours.
All scheduled lifts should be running this morning and it looks like the gates will be opening. Somewhat limited visibility out there at the start of the day by the looks of the webcam images, but some forecasts tell us to expect improving clearer skies from this morning.
And tomorrow should be nice and sunny from the start.
After today a return to snowfall is forecast for around mid week.
I have a bit of a headache this morning so I am going to lay low with some coffee and, of course, toast. And get ready for sun tomorrow!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
6:25am Benkei cape: N7m/s, Kamui cape N3m/s, 1025hPa, 1.1m waves. Hanazono 1000m: -12.2℃, NNW4.5m/s, Hanazono 720m: -9.8℃, NNW1.2m/s. Moiwa 800m: -9.5℃, NNW3.8m/s. Annupuri: -12.5℃, WNW3.3m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -12.0℃, NNW1.5m/s. Mizuno no Sawa top: -11.0℃, NNW3.6m/s. Kutchan town: -7.5℃, NNW0.9m/s, 152cm snow depth, 1025.5hPa. Moiwa base: -9℃, 10cm of clean crystal snowfall in 12h, calm.
The Snowdrifts that developed up to 200cm thick above 800m elevation have now stabilized, however cornices remain unstable and are highly likely to largely break with skiing stimulation. According to observations and weather data transitions, the avalanche risk is low today. All gates will open from the morning. Cracks are starting to open in various places and the ones just under knolls cannot be seen from above. Please be very careful as if falling head-first, you probably won’t be able to come out by yourself.
The snow condition is fantastic, however the weather is likely to suddenly change. Snow and wind will quickly pick up as soon as the isobars move back close to each other. It is not recommended to ride the Backbowl today, but if you do, ski down the fall line, don’t go across the slope. Scott Schmidt rode this slope in 3 turns back in the days. Avalanches sweep through the valley bottom, do not remain in there. It is highly recommended to wear a helmet and carry a beacon, shovel and probe. These equipment can save your and others’ lives. Have a great weekend.
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Planned ski area operations: Saturday 23rd 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: 340cm (-5cm)
- Base: 200cm (-10cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: Ace Family Quad, Ace Quad Center 4, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1, King Number 3 Quad, King Number 4, Swinging Monkey
- Ace Family Quad and Ace Number 2 Center Four lifts operate for night skiing
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 263cm (+8cm)
- Base: 190cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: All three lifts
- There is no night skiing at Hanazono
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 260cm (+10cm)
- Base: 190cm (+10cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: All lifts
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift operates for night skiing
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 240cm (+0cm)
- Base: 160cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: Niseko Gondola, Community Chair, Banzai Chair and Wonderland Chair
- Community Chair and Banzai Chair lifts operate 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.
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 Saturday 23rd January 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 766cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 53 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 356cm reported on 22 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.