Niseko Now: Friday 5th February 2021
- Feb 5, 2021
- 5 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 32cm
Snowfall at base this season 881cm
Posted on Friday 5th February 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It is another very cold morning and we have another fine layer of beautiful fresh snowfall. I have just measured 32cm.
Unfortunately, wind is an issue again this morning and the top lifts at Hirafu, Village and Annupuri are on hold at the start of the day, as is the gondola at Annupuri. Village gondola open but moving at a reduced speed. Lets see if the wind might behave later on in the day; looks like it should be better tomorrow. The forecast still has a mix of cloud and light to moderate snow at times over the coming week.
There may be all sorts of 'stuff' going on this season, but one good thing is that we are doing well for snow.
And for that, I think we should be thankful.
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Now that I am checking all the 'snow depth' and 'snowfall' numbers every morning - and reporting them within this report (below) - it is indeed a bit frustrating when they clearly are not updated. Like today, Niseko Village says 2cm at base which is the same as it was yesterday and clearly not right for this morning. I want to keep on reporting them but feel I must omit that this morning and make a note of it. Remember, pinch of salt and all that.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data 6:25am. Cape Benkei:WNW19m/s. Cape Kamui:WSW17m/s, 1011hPa, wave2.9m. Hanazono 1000m: -16.4℃, NNE3.2m/s. Hanazono 720: -13.8℃, ESE4.3m/s. Moiwa 800m: -13.6℃, N9m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -16.7℃, WNW10.0m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -16.2℃, WNW3.9m/s. Mizuno no Sawa Top: -15.1℃, WNW6.4m/s. Kutchan Town:-8.9℃, WSW7.3m/s, snow depth 184cm, 1011.9hPa. Moiwa base: -12, 30cm new snow in last 12hrs, minor blizzard. Note: wind speed is average over 10min.
The atmospheric pressure gradient is steep with blizzard conditions at the sea and mountains. From this morning’s observation, there is major snowdrift development above 800m, 300cm in some locations with cornices collapsing naturally. Wind is predominantly from the north. Wind and snow is expected to continue with the wind swinging around to a westerly. The avalanche risk continues to be high on SE leeward slopes of knolls and cornices above 800m. There is the possibility of large scale surface avalanches(100cm fracture) on Kozan no Sawa around 1000m and Osawa cornice face. Please do not ride these slopes even if the gondola or lifts operate. Also avoid the valley bottoms, these are avalanche paths. You cannot avoid a 100km/hr avalanche if it hits while you are down there.
The northerly wind has created soft slabs on Higashi One around 1100m and there is the possibility of large scale avalanches occurring. Please stay off these steep slopes even if the gates open. If someone puts in a high traverse others will use it, increasing the chance of an accident.
Peak gate openings yet to be decided. Please follow the patrol's instruction. Snow is good in the trees. Have you got your helmet? Is your beacon on?
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Planned ski area operations: Friday 5th 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: 35cm
- Base: 35cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 400cm (+30cm)
- Base: 230cm (+15cm)
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: 25cm
- Base: 30cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 295cm (+24cm)
- Base: 225cm (+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: 30cm
- Base: 25cm
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: ?cm Apparently not updated by the ski area
- Base: ?cm Apparently not updated by the ski area
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 Friday 5th February 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 881cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 63 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 84cm reported on 5 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.