Niseko Now: Tuesday 23rd March 2021
- Mar 23, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 1201cm
Posted on Tuesday 23rd March 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
Up above us this morning we have a pleasing blend of fast moving cloud, blue sky and sunshine in places - there's some big dramatic shadows on the slopes of our mountain at the moment and changing by the minute.
During the day today and tomorrow we are expecting such a mix, perhaps with the sun being a major feature. It will be rather mild too.
There's even another thin layer of snow too.
If it were calm I'd say it was a lovely spring morning. I was worried that perhaps top lifts might be affected by wind but as of 8:30am it would seem things are opening as planned. Let's hope it stays that way.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
6:25am Benkei cape: NW11m/s, Kamui cape: SW10m/s, 1012hPa, 1.4m waves. Hanazono 1000m: -3.5℃, ESE2.8m/s. Hanazono 720m: -2.7℃, WSW3.7m/s. Moiwa800m: -3℃, W7.1m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -7.3℃, WNW6.2m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -7.0℃, WSW2.7m/s. Mizuno no Sawa top: -6.3℃, WSW speed n/a. Kutchan town: 1.6℃, SW3.0m/s, 3cm snowfall in 24h, 145cm snow depth. Moiwa base: -1.5℃, light snowfall, sunny.
The sky cleared up as a high-pressure system approaches, however the wind remains strong as the pressure gradient is still steep. The strong wind moved some snow and developed snowdrifts and cornices. The cornice at Annupuri’s south peak has grown huge. The peak gates may open if the wind calm down and the peak chairs start running. Surface slab avalanche risk will remain high in steep 40° slopes throughout the morning. Better avoid wide open slopes and/or slopes under cornices in the morning.
The climax avalanche hazard is rising as the season is shifting to Spring. These type of avalanches are extremely destructive, sweeping everything in its path. It is highly recommended to avoid hiking up or riding down the valley bottoms. Climax avalanches in Niseko can occur not only during the day but at night/twilight time even when the temperature is low. There will never be a 100% safe winter mountain. We only hope that no accidents will occur today. Have you switched your beacon on? Have you worn a helmet? Have a nice day.
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Planned ski area operations: Tuesday 23rd 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: 5cm
- Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 475cm (+5cm)
- Base: 195cm (+0cm)
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: 1cm
- Base: 1cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 310cm (+0cm)
- Base: 192cm (-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: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
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 (+0cm)
- Base: 192cm (+0cm)
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 Tuesday 23rd March 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 1201cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 93 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 79cm reported on 11 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.