Niseko Now: Sunday 7th March 2021
- Mar 7, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 6cm
Snowfall at base this season 1183cm
Posted on Sunday 7th March 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko.
I have a bit of fresh snow to report to you this Sunday morning. Nice way to start. Especially when winds aren't causing lifts to stop moving - all scheduled to be open as planned at the start of the day.
It feels a bit colder still this morning and there is a lot of cloud around. There's already some breaks in said clouds and even some sunshine in places, and there does look to be a good chance of some sun today. It would be appropriate wouldn't it. Being Sunday and all.
But. Having said that, it is still snowing over here at Hanazono. (I am today writing the report from said location).
So we have some mixed weather around our mountains this morning.
With the fresh snow I think it should be interesting conditions out there this morning.
Sporadic snow at times over the next few days, unlikely to be considerable. I think of any fresh snow as a bonus from now on. Who doesn't like a bonus? :)
I hope you have a good Sunday.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Coastal Data 6:25am. Cape Benkei:NNW7m/s. Cape Kamui: WNW3m/s, 1029hPa, wave 0.9m. Hanazono 1000m: -8.7℃, NNW5.6m/s. Hanazono 720: -10.8℃, NNW2.9m/s. Moiwa 800m: -10.7℃, WNW5.9m/s. Annupuri 1100m:-14.2℃, WNW3.2m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -13.6℃, WNW2.7m/s. Mizuno no Sawa Top: -12.5℃, WNW2.5m/s. Kutchan Town: -8.5℃, N0.6m/s, 7cm snow in last 24hrs, snow depth 197cm. Moiwa Base 300m: -6.0℃, 5cm new snow in last 24hrs, light wind, calm, sunny.
We are under a high pressure system, the wind and snow have eased, there is 20-30cm of snowdrift development leeward slopes above 700mand the slopes are reset. From tests, snowdrifts have stabilised and the avalanche risk is low on leeward slopes 800-1000m. Peak gates incl Moiwa are expected to be open, please follow the patrol’s instructions. There is a 6Mar layer under the fresh snow and thin enough in some areas to bottom out on. Also it is possible to trigger 40cm surface avalanches by stimulating knolls. The snow is good but you will hit the bottom. Be careful. To avoid full depth avalanches stay out of the valley bottoms. Niseko’s full depth avalanche season starts early if conditions are right. Watch out for little signs like cracks. If you are not in the area there will be no accident. Take care around Osawa, Kozan No Sawa, HigashiOne 3rd creek, Oono no Sawa and Goshiki side of Nishi One Chinpoko Rock there could be people below you. Groomers are in fantastic condition. Is your beacon on? Helmet? Emergency supplies? Following unknown tracks can lead you to getting lost. Be careful of a sudden change in weather. Winter will last a little longer.
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Planned ski area operations: Sunday 7th 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: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 480cm (+10cm)
- Base: 220cm (+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: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 330cm (+4cm)
- Base: 235cm (+9cm)
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: 5cm
- Base: 3cm
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 (+0cm)
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 Sunday 7th March 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 1183cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 86 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 61cm reported on 4 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.