Niseko Now: Friday 26th February 2021
- Feb 26, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 8cm
Snowfall at base this season 1101cm
Posted on Friday 26th February 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
This morning there is cloud, there is some light snow falling and there is even a bit of sunshine breaking through in places.
Ski areas are reporting around 5-10cm of fresh snow since yesterday.
We might get some more cm of snow today (though I wouldn't expect much) and expecting a weekend with a chance of sunshine and relatively mild temperatures.
Come Tuesday temps are going to drop again with more snow due early in the week to take us into March.
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I have so far reported 304cm of snowfall during this month. I just took a quick look at the tables and that is, in fact, the most for a February since the 2012-2013 season. More on all that kind of thing early next week...
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data 6:25am. Cape Benkei:NNW10m/s. Cape Kamui: W11m/s, 1018hPa, wave 1.2m. Hanazono 1000m: -11.6℃, ESE3.5m/s. Hanazono 720: -8.8℃, NW8.8m/s. Moiwa 800m: -10.0℃, NNW9.4m/s. Annupuri 1100m:-12.7℃, W wind speed n/a. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -12.4℃, WNW3.8m/s. Mizuno no Sawa Top: -11.8℃, WNW6.1m/s. Kutchan Town: -7.8℃, 9cm snow in last 24hrs, snow depth 195cm. Moiwa Base 300m: -9, 20cm new snow in last 24hrs, light wind, sunny.
Weak low pressure snow fell from midnight to dawn, a N10m/s wind above 800m is blowing however there is little significant snowdrift development. From tests, snowdrifts under the overnight snow have consolidated and stabilised and general avalanche risk is low. Peak gates are expected to open. Although the snow is shallow, it is good. Take care hitting yesterday's tracks, falling into cracks or hitting trees. Ride one by one and dont wait in the creek bottoms. Is your beacon on? Helmets are strongly recommended. Have a good day.
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Planned ski area operations: Friday 26th February 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: 12cm
- Base: 12cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 470cm (+0cm)
- Base: 240cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 5 lifts today - Ace Family Quad, Ace Quad Center 4, Hirafu Gondola, King Quad 3, King 4
- Night skiing: Ace Center Four quad (every day) and Ace Family quad (Saturdays only at the moment)
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 12cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 325cm (+1cm)
- Base: 233cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 3 lifts today - Hanazono 1, 2 and 3
- There is no night skiing at Hanazono
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Niseko Annupuri
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 300cm (+10cm)
- Base: 210cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 4 lifts today - Jumbo 2 and 3 rested on weekdays
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift operates for night skiing
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Niseko Village
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 310cm (+10cm)
- Base: 220cm (+5cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 4 lifts today - Niseko Gondola, Community, Banzai, Wonderland
- Community Chair lift operates 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.
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Friday 26th February 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 1101cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 81 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 304cm reported on 23 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.