Niseko Now: Saturday 26th December 2020
- Dec 26, 2020
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 22cm
Snowfall at base this season 334cm
Posted on Saturday 26th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
We had some strong winds overnight and it is still quite windy - the top Hanazono lift and the Annupuri Gondola are currently on hold. (Just realised, I haven't had to mention winds too much yet this season, have I?)
With 20+cm down below and probably much more in places thanks to the wind, it should be excellent snow out there this morning. Limited visibility though so it is one of those extra care needed kind of days.
The forecast shows consistent snow through into the New Year. This season I have already observed a fair bit more snow than this time last year and it looks like it is going to be piling up before the end of the month. I look forward to putting the data together in the first few days of January. They are going to be good numbers.
Take care out there. See you tomorrow.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Benkei cape: NNW14m/s, Kamui cape: WNW12m/s, 1013hPa, 2.4m waves. Hanazono1000m: -14℃, NNW(max)15m/s, Hanazono 720m: -10.6℃, NNW(max)15m/s. Moiwa 800m: -10.6℃, NNW10.8m/s, (max 18m/s). Annupuri 1100m: -14.6℃, WNW8.6m/s, (max25m/s). Kutchan weather station: -6.1℃, WNW5.7m/s, 83cm snowpack, 1013.3hPa. Moiwa base: -8℃, 15cm wind-affected snowfall in 12h.
Wintery pressure distribution has brought a strong cold air mass. Blizzard conditions at the base until pre-dawn. Cornices and snowdrifts have grown considerably above 600m elevation. Snowdrifts have developed drastically due a strong NW wind above 1000m elevation around 4am, the wind has calmed down since then, but the snowdrifts are still developing steadily.
Lots of wind-affected snow have deposited in leeward tree-runs. According to observations, weather data and snowfall transition, the avalanche risk is considerable in leeward slopes above 800m elevation. 30-50cm thick slides are likely to occur in 30° leeward slopes under cornices. The new snowdrift slabs are slowly stabilizing, however will remain unstable if the storm persists and the avalanche risk will rise. Keep an eye out on the snowfall transition.
Do not stimulate the cornices, do not traverse leeward slopes and do not remain at the bottom of the gullies. Better stay away from open steep slopes today. The snow is heavily wind-affected and dense, good for riding though. Beware of sudden loss of sight due to strong wind. Wearing helmets and avalanche beacons are highly recommended. Stay safe and have a great day. Beware of frostbites.
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Planned ski area operations: Saturday 26th 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: 210cm (+10cm)
- Base: 120cm (+10cm)
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: 160cm (+15cm)
- Base: 105cm (+15cm)
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: 135cm (+5cm)
- Base: 105cm (+5cm)
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 Saturday 26th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 334cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 26 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (10th November and 15th December) November 2020 snowfall 62cm reported on 6 days December 2020 snowfall 272cm reported on 20 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.