Niseko Now: Wednesday 3rd March 2021
- Mar 3, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 34cm
Snowfall at base this season 1175cm
Posted on Wednesday 3rd March 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Light snow is still (just about) falling but it is increasingly bright in some directions - even some blue sky showing through in places. There is also another very good layer of fresh snow out there this morning.
With a good chance of the blue skies winning out as the morning goes on, it should be a fine day to be out and about. Do be sure to read the avalanche report (below).
Unfortunately... yes, wind. We seemed to be doing well re: wind earlier in the season but it has definitely been more of an issue in recent weeks. As of 8:30am top lifts and the gondolas at Hirafu and Annupuri aren't moving. However, they might well get open - delays are being mentioned at Hirafu, where only the Family quad is open at the start of the day, so fingers crossed more might open.
It should remain cold today. Milder temperatures are due tomorrow with a good chance of one of those beautiful clear sunny mornings.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Coastal Data 6:25am. Cape Benkei:N12m/s. Cape Kamui: E2m/s, 1024hPa, wave 1.7m. Hanazono 1000m: -9.8℃, NNW9.7m/s. Hanazono 720: -10.0℃, NNE5.5m/s. Moiwa 800m: -9.8℃, NNW3.1m/s. Annupuri 1100m:-13.0℃, NNW6.1m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -12.3℃, NNE3.4m/s. Mizuno no Sawa Top: -11.5℃, NNE2.9m/s. Kutchan Town: -5.9℃, 35cm snow in last 24hrs, snow depth 235cm. Moiwa Base 300m: -6.0℃, light wind, snow, good visibility, 15cm of crystal snow from dawn.
From 4am the wind dropped and snowdrift development eased, 15cm of crystal snowfall fell from dawn. The intense low pressure yesterday caused major snow drift development, up to 250cm in some locations. Snow drifts are an aggregate of crushed low pressure snow and from observation slabs are heavy, unstable and 150cm in depth. Snow drifts have not consolidated and have been collapsing under the grooming machines which has significantly delayed getting everything groomed. As of 6am the wind has dropped, however the avalanche risk will remain high at all elevations and aspects for the next 24hrs. The risk of large scale surface avalanches triggered by natural cornice or snowdrift collapse continues. Do not wait under open slopes or in valley bottoms. Avalanches are a natural occurrence, they only become accidents when people are involved. Be careful out there.
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Planned ski area operations: Wednesday 3rd March 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: 20cm
- Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 490cm (+20cm)
- Base: 225cm (-5cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 5 lifts today - Ace Family Quad, Ace Quad Center 4, Hirafu Gondola, King Quad 3, King 4
- Night skiing: Ace Center Four quad (every day) and Ace Family quad (Saturdays only at the moment)
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 23cm
- Base: 22cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 350cm (+10cm)
- Base: 265cm (+23cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 3 lifts today - Hanazono 1, 2 and 3
- 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: 340cm (+0cm)
- Base: 210cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 4 lifts today - Jumbo 2 and 3 rested
- 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: 330cm (+0cm)
- Base: 220cm (+6cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 4 lifts today - Niseko Gondola, Community, Banzai, Wonderland
- Community Chair lift operates 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.
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Wednesday 3rd March 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 1175cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 84 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 48cm (17th February) 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 325cm reported on 24 days March 2021 snowfall 53cm reported on 2 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.