Niseko Now: Sunday 28th March 2021
- Mar 28, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 1201cm
Posted on Sunday 28th March 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
The sun is out and we have fine blue skies above us this morning. There's some cloud around in places, but it's the kind that compliments the fine weather rather than blocks it.
A beautiful morning and wind is not affecting lifts.
The Avalanche Report below is reporting some snow and does JMA, but the ski areas aren't reporting any and I can't see any cm with my own eyes to put on this report. Curious. Looks like there has perhaps been a dusting on the mountain. With the fine weather this morning I think an investigation is required.
We might get some light rain overnight tonight.
It's going to be a warm few days!
Today is the last chance to ride the Hanazono lifts this season.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
6:25am Benkei cape: S10m/s, Kamui cape: NE4m/s, 1015hPa, 0.7m waves. Hanazono 1000m: -0.9℃, S12.4m/s. Hanazono 720m: 3.4℃, SW12.4m/s. Moiwa 800m: 2.9℃, E2.5m/s. Annupuri 1100m: 0.7℃, SSW3.1m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: 0.7℃, WSW5.7m/s. Mizuno no Sawa top: 1.2℃, SSW6.2m/s. Kutchan town: 3.1℃, S2.2m/s, 3cm new snowfall in last 24hrs, 116cm snow depth. Moiwa base: 2.0℃, light winds, no new snowfall, high clouds, good visibility, refrozen snow.
A southerly wind will pick up during the day due to the large pressure differential between the Pacific high and the Sea of Japan low pressure systems. Peak gates 2 & 3 are expected to be open but be careful of strong winds on higher ridgelines. Snow melt continues with the inflow of warm air. Be careful of block and full depth avalanches from sidewalls in the mountains. Stay out of the valley bottoms if you don't want to get hit by an avalanche. Lift operations finish at Hanazono today so gates 4, 5, & 9 will be closed from tomorrow. Today is the last day to ride Higashi One. Make careful route selection to avoid an accident. The snow is hard in the mornings but by 10am is starting to soften. Be careful falling into cracks and hitting trees. Wear a helmet. Wear a beacon, don't forget to turn it on and check the battery. Have a good day.
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Planned ski area operations: Sunday 28th 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: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 465cm (0cm)
- Base: 170cm (-5cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 7 lifts today - Ace Family Quad, Ace Quad Center 4, Holiday Pair 1, Hirafu Gondola, King Quad 3, King 4, Swinging Monkey
Open until (planned):
- Wednesday 5th May
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 290cm (+0cm)
- Base: 165cm (-5cm)
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: 150cm (+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: 303cm (-12cm)
- Base: 167cm (-11cm)
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 Sunday 28th 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.