Niseko Now: Sunday 3rd January 2021
- Jan 3, 2021
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 18cm
Snowfall at base this season 470cm
Posted on Sunday 3rd January 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
So that break in the clouds that looked like might be happening yesterday morning did indeed happen. I was delayed in getting on the lifts myself but was treated to some lovely blue sky mid afternoon and conditions were fantastic. Definitely want to try and make the most of those clearer periods when we get them, and at the moment they are scarce.
Like today. This morning we're back to snow falling and limited visibility. Moderate snowfall was coming down just before, though just light snow falling as I look outside my window right now. And the forecasts for the week still has a lot of snow on it. We can probably expect a day of cloud and light snow today.
All lifts that plan to be moving are doing so at the start of the day.
And that's about it for today.
Sorry for the delay in my look back at December. I am on the case and will put it in the report tomorrow.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Benkei cape: NW14m/s, Kamui cape: SW15m/s, 1017hPa, 1.4m waves. Hanazono 1000m: -14.2℃. Hanazono720m: -12.4℃, NW3.4m/s. Mizuno no Sawa: -11.7℃, WNW5.6m/s. Moiwa 800m: -11.7℃, WNW5.6m/s. Annupuri1000m: -14.6℃, WNW6.8m/s. Kutchan weather station: -12.5℃, ENE1.5m/s, 121cm snowpack, 1019.6hPa. Moiwa base: -12℃, light wind, 25cm snowfall in 12h.
A wintery pressure distribution is persisting causing intermittent snowfall with mixed hail and big and small crystal snow. This is caused by various clouds layers present in the sky. Snowdrifts are developing slowly in leeward slopes under 1000m, however the avalanche risk is low according to observations and snowfall transition.
All gates except gate 8 are scheduled to open today. Beware of holes and tree-bombs outside gate9. Looking at the past 10days snowfall transition, 60cm thick surface slab avalanches are still to be expected at the Backbowl’s sidewalls in the west side of the peak. That area is better left untouched for now. Stay away from gullies bottoms. Backbowl’s, Osawa’s and Higashi-One’s gully bottom are the paths for destructive avalanches.
Do not duck ropes. Always ask the ski patrol’s advice before stepping out of gates. It is strongly recommended to wear a helmet. Have you switched your beacon on? Winter sports are never 100% safe. Always be prudent and prioritize safety. Beware of hypothermia and frostbites. The weather is quickly changing. The snow is good today, have a nice one.
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Planned ski area operations: Sunday 3rd January 2021
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: 255cm (+5cm)
- Base: 150cm (+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: 200cm (+0cm)
- Base: 150cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts operating
- No night skiing
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 175cm (+5cm)
- Base: 135cm (+5cm)
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: 180cm (+0cm)
- Base: 120cm (+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 Sunday 3rd January 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 470cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 34 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 34cm (31st December) November 2020 snowfall 62cm reported on 6 days December 2020 snowfall 348cm reported on 25 days January 2021 snowfall 60cm 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.