Niseko Now: Sunday 31st January 2021
- Jan 31, 2021
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 22cm
Snowfall at base this season 797cm
Posted on Sunday 31st January 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
It's snowing still and this morning Hanazono and Hirafu are reporting 20-30cm of fresh snowfall, with 10cm being reported at the other two areas.
New snow is good, of course!, but I'm afraid wind is still an issue this morning on the mountain. The top lifts at Hirafu and Annupuri are on hold and the Niseko Annupuri gondola has yet to get going. Other than that all other lifts appear to be starting the day.
Forecasts seem to be showing the snow (and hopefully wind too) easing later in the day.
Tomorrow looks set to be a short mild spell - even bringing us some rain (booo) - though happily that does not long lasting with colder temperatures coming back inform Tuesday... and regular snow.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
6:25am Benkei cape: NNW17m/s, Kamui cape: W15m/s, 1015hPa, 2.0m waves. Hanazono1000m: -13.9℃, ESE5.7m/s. Hanazono720m: -11.2℃, NNW５.2m/s. Moiwa800m: -11.8°C, NNE15.1m/s. Annupuri1100m: -14.6℃, WNW8.5m/s, Yu no Sawa 1100m: -14.0℃, NNW5.7m/s, Mizuno no Sawa top: -13.2℃, NW6.2m/s. Kutchan town: -6.3℃, W5.0m/s, 157cm snow depth, 1016.9hPa. Moiwa base: -6℃, light wind and 30cm windblown snowfall in 12h.
A strong north westerly wind is still blowing at the edge of the high pressure system. 25m/s gusts were recorded at Moiwa 800m at 6am. 50cm wind-affected but soft snowpack have formed mainly around 600-700m elevation. Evaluating from this morning’s observations and weather transition, the avalanche risk in areas under tree-line (<800m) is lowering, however it will remain high in leeward (SE) aspect slopes in alpine areas (>800m) during the morning. Better not rush off-piste even if the chair-lifts start running. Gates opening is yet to be determined. Please respect the ski patrol’s decisions.
The snow is moderately dense enough not to touch the bottom. The snow in the tree-runs is good. Do not drop into knolls and open steep slopes at once, ride one by one and do not clusterat the bottom of the gullies. Today is a good day but caution is required. Have you switched on your beacon? It is also strongly recommended to wear a helmet in order to minimize risks of critical head injuries.
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Planned ski area operations: Sunday 31st 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: 350cm (+30cm)
- Base: 190cm (+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: 260cm (+20cm)
- Base: 190cm (+15cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts operating
- 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:
- Two top lifts 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: 250cm (+10cm)
- Base: 170cm (+10cm)
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 Sunday 31st January 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 797cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 58 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 387cm reported on 27 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.