Niseko Now: Friday 2nd April 2021
- Apr 2, 2021
- 6 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 Friday 2nd April 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
The run of beautiful clear weather continues this morning.
We might see some cloud tomorrow along with the chance of some rain according to some forecasts.
Good job I have some other prepared words for you...
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The 2020-2021 Niseko season so far: until the end of March 2021
Now that we are into April it is once again time for me to look back at the season and snowfall numbers so far - see how this season has shaped up compared with previous seasons.
As always I feel I should start with this. I take my measurements from near the base of Niseko Grand Hirafu. There is usually more snow at higher elevations, but it is impossible for me to take measurements from the top of the mountain every morning for all sorts of practical reasons. My observed snowfall numbers on these Niseko Now reports over the years can be compared like-for-like, because they are my own observations and are coming from the same place each season.
This is how much snowfall I have measured during the month of March over the last nine years:
March 2021: 79cm
March 2020: 59cm
March 2019: 45cm
March 2018: 49cm
March 2017: 83cm
March 2016: 109cm
March 2015: 139cm
March 2014: 113cm
March 2013: 164cm
I was a bit surprised when I saw that actually, because 79cm is more than I remembered. That is surely due to the fact that the bulk of that 79cm came right at the beginning of the month with just a few cm here and there beyond that.
It certainly felt like there wasn’t much fresh snow during March.
I recommend you take a look at the Snowfall Analysis page to check out the graphs and data tables to see for yourself how the snowfall was spread across the month.
Those three digit numbers back in 2013-2016 still kind of stick out. That got me curious, so I took a look back at the Japan Meteorological Agency snowfall numbers recorded for Kutchan town. They recorded over 2m of snowfall in March of 2010 and 2011.
But get this. 346cm of snowfall was recorded during March 1970 --- and during that 1969-1970 season the total snowfall was over 20m. Sugoi!
More than usual there has been more time for people to think about various stuff this season - covid-19, the inbound market, how the heck will 2021-2022 shape up?, etc. All we can do for now is muse about these things and - sorry if I’ve said it before - hope for the best.
Here is the total amount of snowfall observed at base this season:
2020/2021 season up to end of March 2021: 1201cm
2019/2020 season up to end of March 2020: 718cm
2018/2019 season up to end of March 2019: 945cm
2017/2018 season up to end of March 2018: 1247cm
2016/2017 season up to end of March 2017: 688cm
2015/2016 season up to end of March 2016: 986cm
2014/2015 season up to end of March 2015: 1141cm
2013/2014 season up to end of March 2014: 1150cm
2012/2013 season up to end of March 2013: 1459cm
The total numbers still look really good. No doubt the marketing types will be latching on to some of those. ;)
(* Hey... if you wish to use these numbers that I have spent the season putting together each morning, please give SnowJapan.com appropriate credit!)
Other general comments I have about the season are going to be pretty much what I said in my recap last month. It has been unusually quiet and subdued, and lacking the usual mega-buzz atmosphere that goes on here especially in peak season. All for obvious reasons of course.
Back to some numbers.
This is how much snowfall I have recorded during the month of April in the last eight winter seasons:
April 2020: 10cm
April 2019: 6cm
April 2018: 13cm
April 2017: 0cm
April 2016: 6cm
April 2015: 3cm
April 2014: 13cm
April 2013: 32cm
With temperatures often rising above average this spring, I think we’ll be lucky to get any more.
The snowfall numbers that the Japan Meteorological Agency report from their observation station in Kutchan town are as follows:
March 2021: 89cm
March 2020: 75cm
March 2019: 59cm
March 2018: 59cm
March 2017: 90cm
March 2016: 125cm
March 2015: 141cm
March 2014: 118cm
March 2013: 124cm
2020/2021 season up to end of March 2021: 949cm
2019/2020 season up to end of March 2020: 684cm
2018/2019 season up to end of March 2019: 867cm
2017/2018 season up to end of March 2018: 1013cm
2016/2017 season up to end of March 2017: 831cm
2015/2016 season up to end of March 2016: 823cm
2014/2015 season up to end of March 2015: 966cm
2013/2014 season up to end of March 2014: 922cm
2012/2013 season up to end of March 2013: 1024cm
I think that's it for now. I will of course do a season wrap up in my last report of the season. I plan to be posting reports here each morning until the last day of the season. All being well, that should be 5th May.
See you tomorrow.
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Planned ski area operations: Friday 2nd April 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: 425cm (-5cm)
- Base: 135cm (-5cm)
Ski lifts & courses:
- Planned: 5 lifts today - Ace Family Quad, Ace Quad Center 4, Hirafu Gondola, King Quad 3, King 4
- All courses apart from lower area of Super are open
Open until (planned):
- Wednesday 5th May
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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: 300cm (-10cm)
- Base: 110cm (-10cm)
Ski lifts & courses:
- Planned: 4 lifts today - Jumbo 2 and 3 rested
- 12 courses remain open
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: 270cm (-8cm)
- Base: 137cm (-0cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 4 lifts today - Niseko Gondola, Village Express, Community, Wonderland
Open until (planned):
- Sunday 4th April [may re-open 1st-5th May]
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The Niseko HANAZONO ski area is now closed for the season
Night skiing has now finished for the season
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Friday 2nd April 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 April 2021 snowfall 0cm |
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.