Niseko Now: Thursday 11th December 2025
- Dec 11, 2025
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 101cm
We have fresh snow again this morning with the promise of more over the next few days. Might get windy too, though it isn't just now.
I am pleased to see that the Annupuri gondola is going to be operating from today, opening up the Utopia and Shirakaba runs at that ski area.
A few more runs have also opened at Hirafu and Hanazono, too. Check out the list below.
With this ongoing and incoming fresh snowfall, hopefully we will be gradually be seeing more of the mountain opening over the coming days.
Yey!
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According to the Niseko United website, Niseko Village has received a magnificent 55cm+55cm+60cm of fresh snowfall over the last 3 days. 170cm!
That would be absolutely incredible, if it were true. Obviously, it is not correct. For at least three days now, they have been putting what is presumably the 'snow depth' number (60cm today) in the '24 hours snowfall' field. On the same page, the snow depth at peak is showing as 0cm.
This is on the official Niseko United website. We are all human and so mistakes will be made. But day after day? I know I can sometimes go on about this kind of thing, but I think it's important. Please show some care.
(And I wonder if 'AI' will pick up on that and delight everyone by spreading it around).
I promise not to mention it again. Well, not for a few days at least. ;)
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base at 6am: 0℃, light wind, 15cm new snow from midnight. Moiwa Mikaeri 800m: -3℃, NW0.8m/s, snowing, poor visibility. Hanazono 800m: -6.7℃, SSW2.3m/s. Coastal weather: Benkei cape S3m/s, Kamui cape N5m/s, 1013hPa, 1.4m waves.
Strong pre-low-pressure snowfall from midnight. A low-pressure system of 1012 hPa is moving westward from the Sea of Japan, with southwesterly winds and snow intensifying this afternoon. Snow accumulation will increase, and snowdrifts are expected to develop rapidly above 800m elevation.
The current low-pressure snowfall is likely to trigger point avalanches on steep course-side cut slopes and cliff bands. Beware. Snow accumulation will increase rapidly before and after the front passes. Avalanche risk will rise sharply from this afternoon through tomorrow.
Wind-affected snowdrift slabs, developed intermittently by strong winds exceeding 15m/s, may appear hard and stable. However, the slab structure remains unstable until winds drop below 10 m/s and consolidation begins. Avalanches are likely to occur due to the increased weight of the slab (leeward snowdrifts) regardless of the snow stratigraphy. Do not over-rely on pit checks. Even if the cause is understood after an accident, the dead cannot be brought back.
Isobar widths will narrow going forward, with blizzards persisting. There is no safety in this sport. This is a ski resort; follow the rules. Patrols are always concerned for your safety.
Tomorrow’s avalanche report is suspended. Have a good day. When driving, apply brakes early to prevent a collision and running off the road.
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 13cm
Base: 13cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 110cm (+8cm change since yesterday)
Base: 58cm (+8cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
All four lifts
Planned open courses:
Mango Salad
Silver Dream
Juicy Fruit
Parallel
Yotei Sunset
Crystal Garden
Stairway to Heaven
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Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 20cm
Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 130cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 50cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
Ace Gondola
Ace Number 3 pair
King Gondola
King Number 3 six
Swinging Monkey
Planned open courses:
Center
Jumbo
Shirakaba
Rinkan
Beginners access
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Planned lift operations:
Upper Village Gondola
Village Express
Community Chair
Banzai Chair
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 60cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 40cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
Annupuri gondola
Dream Number 1 quad
Jumbo Number 1 quad
Planned open courses:
Utopia
Shirakaba
Paradise
Junior
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Planned lift operations:
Number 1 pair
Number 2 pair
Niseko Now2025-2026 season |
Data as of Thursday 11th December 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 101cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 15 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 21cm (4th December) November 2025 snowfall 29cm reported on 7 days December 2025 snowfall 72cm reported on 8 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.