Niseko Now: Friday 25th December 2020
- Dec 25, 2020
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 7cm
Snowfall at base this season 312cm
Posted on Friday 25th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning to you all and Merry Christmas.
Living in Japan for a long time, Christmas has gradually lost some of the meaning it once had for me, but it feels weirder than usual this year. There's usually various events for Christmas with, for example, Santa skiing on the slopes and giving presents to kids and stuff like that, but I don't seem to be able to find that kind of information this year. It might well be happening to some degree, but it's not being shouted about as usual. That's my observation, anyway.
We had to put up with some rain yesterday I'm afraid. Booooo. Never welcome once the snow starts and always a worry when the temperatures get milder, but we can't do much about it.
The better news is that there is 7cm of fresh snowfall from overnight here at base village level as of 8am, and it definitely feels colder too. Not a thick layer of fresh then on top of what we had yesterday, but it should be building up. It is snowing quite nicely at the moment and we should now be getting back to sustained colder conditions and consistent snowfall.
Not much of the mountain can be seen as I write this and it looks like visibility is going to be rather limited this morning.
Wherever you are in the world, and whether Christmas means much to you or not so much, best wishes to you all. Stay safe and... let's just keep on going and gambatte-ing. :)
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data. Cape Benkei: NNW12m/s. Cape Kamui: N11m/s, 1004hPa, wave 1.3m. Hanazono 1000m: -9.8℃, SSW1.4m/s. Hanazono 720: -6.5℃, NW4.5m/s. Moiwa 800m: -7.1℃, NNW7.7m/s. Annupuri 1000m: -10.0℃, WNW4.8m/s. Kutchan Town: -3.6℃, SSW3.2m/s, snow depth 68cm, 1004hPa. Moiwa Base: -5℃, light winds, 5cm new snow from 3am.
We are currently under the influence of a weak typical winter weather pattern, cornices and snowdrifts slowly developing over 800m. There is only a little new snow on the 23rd Dec layer, however snowdrifts growth is up to 40cm. From observation and data the general avalanche risk is low. A weak NW wind is blowing at the Hirafu ridgeline (1200m). Light winds have reset Mikaeri leeward slope. Snow is good. Below 600m bushes are still thick and the creeks are not covered. Beware hidden stumps and creeks off piste. Broken ribs are a season ender.
The groomers are in good condition but visibility is bad and its hard to see the contours. Be careful going too fast and hitting something. Only Gate 6 is open at the moment but all gates are expected to open before New Year. Powder will be OK today. Don't over estimate your skills, make cautious decisions . Wear your helmet and beacon. Have a good day.
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Planned ski area operations: Friday 25th December 2020
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 200cm (+5cm)
- Base: 110cm (+5cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Ace Family quad [*]
- Ace Number 2 Center quad [*]
- Hirafu Gondola
- Holiday Number 1 pair
- King Number 3 quad
- Swinging Monkey
All courses open except:
- Large
- Miharashi
- Dynamic
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 145cm (+5cm)
- Base: 90cm (-5cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 140cm (+0cm)
- Base: 110cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Annupuri Gondola
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad [*]
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
Courses available:
- Utopia
- Silver
- Shirakaba
- Family
- Paradise
- Dynamic
- Junior
- Challenge
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 130cm (+0cm)
- Base: 100cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola
- Village Express [*]
- Community Chair [*]
- Banzai Chair [*]
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Night time operations are available in the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas until 7th March 2021.
Lifts marked [*] are scheduled to be operating during night skiing, until 8:00pm.
There is no night skiing in the Niseko HANAZONO area.
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Friday 25th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 312cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 25 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (10th November and 15th December) November 2020 snowfall 62cm reported on 6 days December 2020 snowfall 250cm 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.