Niseko Now: Saturday 6th March 2021
- Mar 6, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 1177cm
Posted on Saturday 6th March 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It feels colder this morning and we have some snow falling. I'd say right now it's somewhere between light and moderate. Definitely feels more like winter after a mild day yesterday.
Lifts at all areas apart from Annupuri appear to be starting the day as planned. At the time of writing the gondola as well as top lifts over there is on hold.
As you can see from the images below, away from the mountain there's some blue sky. Perhaps changeable weather today...
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Coastal Data 6:25am. Cape Benkei:NNE11m/s. Cape Kamui: NE6m/s, 1020hPa, wave 2.3m. Hanazono 1000m: -10.0℃, NW6.8m/s. Hanazono 720: -7.6℃, NNW4.8m/s. Moiwa 800m: -7.8℃, WNW8.1m/s. Annupuri 1100m:-10.4℃, NNW7.0m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -9.72℃, NNW5.1m/s. Mizuno no Sawa Top: -9.0℃, NNW2.5m/s. Kutchan Town: -4.1℃, 1cm snow in last 24hrs, snow depth 194cm. Moiwa Base 300m: -6.0℃, refrozen, moderate wind, no new snow, good visibility.
Following the passing of the front at 10pm last night a north to westerly wind picked up and the temperate dropped. Below 600m the snow surface is re-frozen, above 800m the “stop” snow from yesterday has changed but it is still easy to dig in to. There has been minor snow drift development from wind blown snow. The wind is expected to drop after noon when the isobars start to space out. The snow condition is shallow and not so good but it's always good to get out on the hill. From now into spring the possibility of deep surface or full depth avalanches is increasing. Avalanches in May are easier to identify because they show signs of cracks or block collapses, however during this transition period between winter/spring there are no easily identifiable signs. An avalanche may occur at the same time as the crack forms or it may occur in the early hours when temps are coldest. To avoid accidents try to stay out of the valley bottoms. No people - no accident. Be careful on Goshiki faces of Annupuri west ridge. Full depth avalanches have pushed down to the guard rails on the road in the past. Gate opening yet to be decided. Please follow the patrol's decisions. REPEAT- Stay out of the valley bottoms. Have a good weekend.
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Planned ski area operations: Saturday 6th 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: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 470cm (-10cm)
- Base: 210cm (-10cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 7 lifts today - Ace Family Quad, Ace Quad Center 4, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday 1, King Quad 3, King 4, Swinging Monkey
- 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: 2cm
- Base: 1cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 326cm (-9cm)
- Base: 226cm (-18cm)
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: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 340cm (+0cm)
- Base: 210cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 6 lifts today - all
- 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: 0cm
- Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 330cm (+0cm)
- Base: 210cm (-10cm)
Ski lifts:
- Planned: 5 lifts today - Niseko Gondola, Village Express, 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 Saturday 6th March 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 1177cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 85 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 55cm 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.