Niseko Now: Saturday 5th December 2020
- Dec 5, 2020
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 7cm
Snowfall at base this season 106cm
Posted on Saturday 5th December 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
A very good morning to you from Niseko.
The four ski areas that make up Niseko United are all part open from this morning, and they are all reporting a snow depth of 60-75cm on upper slopes; 30-40cm at base areas.
The available runs/courses are limited and disconnected from each other, but the sun is out and it feels like a good time to get in those first turns of the 2020-2021 season.
At Niseko Grand Hirafu the appropriately named (mid-mountain) Center course and the base Family courses are open. You need to take the Ace Number 2 Center Four quad lift back down after showing off your gnarly skills on the Center course.
At Niseko Annupuri, the Paradise and Junior mid-lower courses are open.
All three quads over at Niseko HANAZONO are moving. (Well, they will be come 8:30am).
And over at Niseko Village the lower Community and Banzai Chair lifts are operating.
Right now there is some cloud around, some white and some grey, but quite a lot of blue sky and the sun is shining down through my window. It looks like it should be a fine morning.
Perhaps a bit more snow later tomorrow and early in the week, though likely nothing major.
For now, time to enjoy the first day with all the ski areas open.
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Ski resort operation information: Saturday 5th December 2020
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 75cm
- Base: 30cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Ace Family quad
- Ace Number 2 Center quad
- Ace Number 3 pair
Courses available:
- Family
- Center
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 70cm
- Base: 30cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Hanazono Number 1 quad
- Hanazono Number 2 quad
- Hanazono Number 3 quad
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Niseko Annupuri
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 60cm
- Base: 30cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Dream Number 1 quad
- Jumbo Number 1 quad
Courses available:
- Paradise Course
- Junior Course
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Niseko Village
Part open
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 60cm
- Base: 40cm
Ski lifts operating:
- Community Chair
- Banzai Chair
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Night time operations are available in the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas from Saturday 19th December 2020.
There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area.
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Saturday 5th December 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 106cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 9 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 32cm (10th November) November 2020 snowfall 62cm reported on 6 days December 2020 snowfall 44cm 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.