Niseko Now: Saturday 30th January 2021
- Jan 30, 2021
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 775cm
Posted on Saturday 30th January 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Yesterday the Niseko Village gondola did get moving but the top lifts and the other two gondolas remained closed (well, as far as I can tell). Pesky winds!
I was kind of expecting to be able to report more snow than I am able to this morning. Perhaps there has been more snow but the wind has been blowing it around. Hirafu and Hanazono are reporting 5-10cm so perhaps there is a layer to be enjoyed, though it might be uneven.
Actually this morning it didn't feel too windy down here at base when I was out a while ago - but the top lifts are the dreaded purple colour on the resort map... meaning they're suspended/on hold. The Annupuri Gondola is not opening up as planned at the start of the day but the Niseko Gondola at Niseko Village is operating (at a reduced speed) and the Hirafu Gondola is up and running.
We are expecting snow through the day. Perhaps less so tomorrow but consistent snowfall still on the forecast for the coming week. Just one more report for January 2021!
Enjoy your Saturday.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
6:25am Benkei cape: NNE14m/s, Kamui cape: SE2m, 1001hPa, 2.4m waves. Hanazono 1000m: -8.7℃, NNW10.6m/s. Hanazono 720m: -6.5℃, NNW4.6m/s. Moiwa 800m: -6.5℃, NNE6.2m/s. Anupuri 1100m: -8.8℃, N2.8m/s. Yu no Sawa: -8.4℃, no wind data. Mizuno no Sawa top: -7.5℃, N3.0m/s. Kutchan town: -8.6℃, calm, 137cm snow depth, 999.8hPa. Moiwa base: -4℃, no new snowfall, light wind & snow started from 6am.
Evaluating from the past 12h weather transition and observations, the snowdrifts formed by the southerly wind are now stable and the general avalanche risk during the morning is low. However, the hazard level will rise as new snowdrifts start to develop through the afternoon. Snow that piled up under calm weather is less likely to slide than the snow that’s been affected by strong wind. If everybody acknowledges this fact as a common sense and becomes prudent towards storms, accidents will be less likely to occur. Avalanches are not the only hazard in winter mountains. There are many inherent risks involved in winter activities and there will never be a 100% safe condition.
Gates opening are undetermined, please respect the ski patrol’s decisions. We strongly recommend wearing a helmet and carrying avalanche equipment (beacon, shovel, probe). The snow is not too bad today.
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Planned ski area operations: Saturday 30th January 2021
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report.
The numbers in brackets show the change in the official snow depth numbers since the previous report.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 320cm (+5cm)
- Base: 180cm (+10cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift on hold at start of the day
- Planned: Ace Family Quad, Ace Quad Center 4, Hirafu Gondola, King Number 3 Quad, King Number 4
- Ace Family Quad and Ace Number 2 Center Four lifts operate for night skiing
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 240cm (+0cm)
- Base: 175cm (+10cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift on hold at start of the day
- Planned: All three lifts
- There is no night skiing at Hanazono
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 260cm (+0cm)
- Base: 190cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift and gondola on hold at start of the day
- Planned: All lifts apart from Jumbo Number 2 and 3
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift operates for night skiing
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 240cm (+0cm)
- Base: 160cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift on hold at start of the day
- Planned: Niseko Gondola, Community Chair, Mori no Chair, Banzai Chair and Wonderland Chair
- Community Chair and Banzai Chair lifts operate 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.
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.
There may be other lift operation changes at the moment due to coronavirus situation.
Do be sure to check for details with ski areas.
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Saturday 30th January 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 775cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 57 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 34cm (31st December and 18th January) November 2020 snowfall 62cm reported on 6 days December 2020 snowfall 348cm reported on 25 days January 2021 snowfall 365cm reported on 26 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.