Niseko Now: Wednesday 3rd February 2021
- Feb 3, 2021
- 5 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 19cm
Snowfall at base this season 827cm
Posted on Wednesday 3rd February 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It is a very cold morning here. Annupuri are reporting a temperature of -21C at their peak and it is -13C down here at base early morning. Brrrrrr. Post report I'll be looking forward to some toasty toast.
Anyway. Snow! And quite a lot of it. I imaging there will be varying amounts around the mountain, courtesy of wind. I just measured a few different numbers close to each other, so I am just having to go with my usual trusted spot.
The snow has actually eased off from actually falling for the moment. There is even a few breaks appearing in the clouds and I can see some light blue through them as we approach 8:30am. Maybe even some sun? Might well be temporary.
Unfortunately, we still have those pesky winds messing around with us. The day starts with the Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri gondolas on hold as well as the top lifts (apart from the top Hanazono which is opening as planned).
We can only hope the wind calms down soon.
Still, there should be lots of fine fresh snow to enjoy on the mountain (the Avalanche Report is mentioning 40cm of fresh) and un-Niseko-like quietness going on to allow the lucky people here to enjoy it.
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Someone sent in a mail asking if I am going to continue the daily reports... 'because business is bad'.
I'm not sure where that is coming from but... huh?!
Firstly, of course I plan to continue. (The end of last season I nearly stopped before the lifts stopped, but that was a rather different situation. On the same day I said that, the ski area announced closing. You can look back at how that happened in the archive reports).
Secondly, and most importantly, I'm not posting these reports to try and persuade you to come to Niseko. Or as a front man for some travel agency or marketing operation. Quite the opposite. Business being good or bad --- whose business? --- is totally irrelevant.
I post theses reports because I love Niseko, I enjoy doing it and I also enjoy keeping and sharing a record of the season. And SnowJapan is the perfect vehicle for doing that; one I respect very much.
The same general concept goes for all the reports on SnowJapan.
Some people still never seem to get it. This site is not a company trying to sell you stuff. If it were that kind of beast, I would not be posting these reports!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data 6:25am. Cape Benkei:NW18m/s. Cape Kamui:W14m/s, 1008hPa, wave3.0m. Hanazono 1000m: -19.4℃, ENE4.4m/s. Hanazono 720: -16.5℃, N7.4m/s. Moiwa 800m: -16.8℃, NNW12.8m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -19.8℃, W10.9m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -19.2℃, WSW6.1m/s. Mizuno no Sawa Top: -18.3℃, WNW8.5m/s. Kutchan Town:-11.9℃, W4.8m/s, snow depth 158cm, 1008.6hPa. Moiwa base: -14, 40cm new snow in last 12hrs, blizzard.
Currently in a winter type weather pattern, the isobars are close together, snow storms at the sea and mountains. Above 800m 25+m/s winds and snow with rapid cornice and snowdrift development. From tests snow drifts are unstable and avalanche risk is very high. Better to keep off un groomed open steep slopes today. Avoid stimulating cornices and knolls.
Most accidents happen right after a snow storm. Developing snow drifts are like a stack of 3-5cm layers. During strong winds development continues this way and consolidation is delayed. If the developing snow drift collapses, surface avalanches occur easily. This type of danger continues for a while after the weather gets better and wind drop below 10m/s.
Gate openings yet to be decided. Stay off steep slopes looking for powder. Snow conditions continually change. Last week was good, today not so much. There is no safety in the mountains. Carry safety equipment like a beacon and helmet. Its cold but the snow is good.
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Planned ski area operations: Wednesday 3rd February 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: 15cm
- Base: 15cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 360cm (+10cm)
- Base: 200cm (+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
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 12cm
- Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 270cm (+10cm)
- Base: 200cm (+15cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts operating
- Planned: All three lifts
- There is no night skiing at Hanazono
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Niseko Annupuri
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 260cm (+0cm)
- Base: 190cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift 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
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 250cm (+0cm)
- Base: 170cm (+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 Wednesday 3rd February 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 827cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 61 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 February 2021 snowfall 30cm reported on 3 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.