Niseko Now: Wednesday 30th December 2020
- Dec 30, 2020
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 8cm
Snowfall at base this season 376cm
Posted on Wednesday 30th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just two days left in 2020. So quick. Yet, so slow. And so... well, 2020.
I will be reporting snow in these last two reports. Not a massive amount this morning, less than 10cm.
It is another cold morning, but it is about to get even colder especially around 1st January. And the consistent snowfall is due to continue.
Some people have asked about the official snow depth numbers in the list below. As you might have noticed, I am now noting any increases and decreases in those official numbers each morning. Example:
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 230cm (+10cm)
- Base: 125cm (+0cm)
Any actual fresh snowfall doesn't just get added to the snow depth data. So if 10cm falls, it doesn't automatically translate into 10cm being added. In the big picture, there are all sorts of factors going on - including snow compression and melting. As I said when I first started this... best not to dwell on it too much. It might only frustrate! Any further questions on that subject should be directed to the ski areas themselves. I'm sure they'd have a clear answer. ;)
See below for planned gate action.
Take care and see you on that last day of the year.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data. Cape Benkei: NNW6m/s. Cape Kamui: WNW3m/s, 1006hPa, wave 0.8m. Hanazono 1000m: -14.6℃, wind n/a. Hanazono 720: -11.9℃, N3m/s. Moiwa 800m: -12.1℃, NNW1.1m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -15.1℃, WNW2.4m/s. Kutchan Town: -8.3℃, WSW0.3m/s, snow depth 102cm, 1006.2hPa. Moiwa base: -10, 10cm light crystal snowfall, calm, good visibility.
The seas and mountains are calm. Although only a little snow fell last night, snow drift growth in places has been 20cm,with the ridgeline at 1300m seeing strong winds. The general avalanche risk is low. Expect a northerly change in the weather this afternoon bringing wind and snow. Be careful.
Gates 7,8 at Annupuri and Gates 4,5 at Hirafu are expected to be open today. Times yet to be determined. Please respect the patrols decisions. Do not traverse from Gate 8 to Osawa cornice face. From Gate 4 do not go past Fujiwara no Sawa. There is a higher risk of avalanche on the Higashi One cornice face. From Gate 5 beware unseen obstacles and hitting trees.
Do not duck ropes to ride out of the resorts, you must use the gates. The 23 Dec low pressure snowfall has formed a significant layer in the snowpack. Todays snowfall(Dec 30) is also expected to form a significant layer, it will be on top of a structurally stable 60-100cm hard slab. On top of the Dec30 layer, if the snow bearing wind picks up with associated snowdrift development, the avalanche risk will rapidly increase. Pay attention to the snowfall transition. Wear your helmet and beacon. A beacon can save you or your friends life. Also don’t forget a shovel and probe. On and off piste is both good. Have a good day.
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Planned ski area operations: Wednesday 30th 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: 230cm (+10cm)
- Base: 125cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All planned lifts operating (see note below)
- Ace Family Quad, Ace Number 2 Center Four open for night skiing
Courses:
- All courses open
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 180cm (+10cm)
- Base: 135cm (+20cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts operating
- No night skiing
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 150cm (+0cm)
- Base: 110cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts operating during the daytime
- Jumbo Number 1 quad opens for night skiing
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 150cm (+0cm)
- Base: 100cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Niseko Gondola
- Village Express [*]
- Community Chair [*]
- Banzai Chair [*]
- Wonderland 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.
The Ace Pair Number 1, 3 and 4, King Pair Number 1 lift and King Quad Number 2 lifts are being rested for the season at Niseko Grand Hirafu.
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Wednesday 30th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 376cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 30 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (10th November and 15th December) November 2020 snowfall 62cm reported on 6 days December 2020 snowfall 314cm reported on 24 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.