Niseko Now: Tuesday 5th January 2021
- Jan 5, 2021
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 496cm
Posted on Tuesday 5th January 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
At the risk of sounding like I am repeating myself, I have another 12cm of snow measured up this morning for the report with news of continued snowfall. Just very light snow falling right at this moment with a lot of cloud around, though over towards Mt Yotei there are some places where the sun seems to be struggling to make a special appearance.
All planned lifts appear to be starting up for the day as planned.
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I'd just like to make one comment about the coronavirus situation. While the numbers in Japan are still increasing (to over 3000 a day) and there is talk of a 'state of emergency' being declared for Tokyo and surrounding prefectures later this week, it seems that the numbers of cases being confirmed here in Hokkaido have been steadily going down over the last few weeks after various efforts being made. That is one little bit of brighter news amongst all the rest of it. Let us hope that other areas will follow that trend soon. All we can do is our bit...
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I posted my summary of the season so far in the report yesterday. So if you missed that: first of all - naughty; and secondly, use the link below to find it.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data. Cape Benkei: NNW14m/s. Cape Kamui: W8m/s, 1021hPa, wave 2.0m. Hanazono 1000m: -14.2℃. Hanazono 720: -12.0℃, NNW4.7m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -15.3, NNW3.7m/s. Mizuno no Sawa 900m: -14.3℃, WNW4.0m/s. Moiwa 800m: -12.9℃, NNW9.4m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -15.8℃, WNW7.6m/s. Kutchan Town: -8.4℃, SW4.5m/s, snow depth 127cm, 1022.2hPa. Moiwa base: -10, 20cm snowfall in last 12hrs, light winds, good visibility.
Although the winter pressure pattern has weakened, cold air is still flowing into the area, The snow wind has weakened and snowdrifts above 1000m are starting to stabilise. From data and snowfall transition the general avalanche risk is falling, peak gates are expected to be open. On the ridgeline around 1200m of Kozan no sawa side wall, cornice and snowdrift development stabilisation is delayed and avalanche risk will continue. If an avalanche occurs here it will be of large scale, so don't hang around in the valley below. Also cornices have grown very big and large pieces can easily break off. Don't rest under them to avoid the wind.
This information is published to prevent accidents in the out of bounds areas. Out of bounds areas are not managed and your safety is your own responsibility. In Niseko we are always paying attention to rider safety, when the gates are closed do not go out of bounds. Ducking the ropes is prohibited. Be careful falling into cracks or hitting trees. Wear your helmet and beacon. Also a probe and shovel is recommended. Keep on eye out for a sudden change in weather. Have a good day.
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Planned ski area operations: Tuesday 5th 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: 270cm (-15cm)
- Base: 160cm (+10cm)
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: 203cm (+3cm)
- Base: 152cm (+2cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All lifts operating
- No night skiing
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 190cm (+15cm)
- Base: 140cm (+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: 190cm (+5cm)
- Base: 130cm (+5cm)
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 Tuesday 5th January 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 496cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 36 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 86cm 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.