Niseko Now: Wednesday 11th March 2026
- Mar 11
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 861cm
Some cloud this morning and quite a lot of blue sky.
It is hard to believe the major earthquake event was 15 years ago. I remember it vividly. And that is perhaps a good thing.
A moment to reflect.
I've had my toast and I'm off out to enjoy some first tracks.
------------------------------------
Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -7°C, no snowfall, clear. Moiwa 800m: -7.5°C, NE 3.9m/s, no snowfall, good visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -9.8°C, NNE 4.8m/s. Village 1000m: -8.5°C, NNE 6.4m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -9.3°C, N 5.8m/s. Hanazono 800m: -6.7°C, NW 1.6m/s. Sea of Japan Benkei Cape: WNW 5m/s. Kamui Cape: ENE 2m/s, 1027hPa, wave height unknown.
Under a high-pressure system with no pressure gradient, strong cold air is flowing in from the north. Based on observations and data evaluation, no full-depth avalanches have occurred and the snowpack is stable. The overall avalanche risk is low. With the good weather, all summit gates will open. Moiwa Gate 6 is expected to open during the morning; follow the instructions of the ski patrol. On open steep slopes above 1000m, the surface crust may break, potentially causing shallow surface avalanches. These slides, known as “magic carpet” avalanches, are triggered by riding stimulation and are dangerous due to their high speed. In the past, one person lost their life in such an avalanche in the Backbowl sidewalls. Ride one by one in the out of bounds areas. In the afternoon, the snow will soften and the risk of full-depth avalanches will increase. Use particular caution on the west ridge toward the Goshiki side. In the past, avalanches there have reached the prefectural road. Do not stay at the bottom of the slopes or gullies. Use similar caution in Moiwa Bowl and Mikaeri Bowl.
Today is the anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. On March 11, 2011, more than 17,000 precious lives were taken by the earthquake and tsunami that struck the Tohoku coast. We must never let this memory fade. Have a great day.
------------------------------------
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 0cm
Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 300cm (-10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 180cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
4 of 4 lifts
Gondola until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 0cm
Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 375cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 105cm (no change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
9 of 9 lifts
Ace Gondola, Ace Family quad, King Gondola and King Holiday pair until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 268cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 160cm (no change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
8 of 8 lifts
Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 0cm
Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 270cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 150cm (no change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
6 of 6 lifts
Jumbo Number 1 quad until 7:30pm
------------------
Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Planned lift operations:
3 of 3 lifts
Niseko Now2025-2026 season |
Data as of Wednesday 11th March 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 861cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 85 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (on 12th January) November 2025 snowfall 29cm reported on 7 days December 2025 snowfall 189cm reported on 23 days January 2026 snowfall 451cm reported on 28 days February 2026 snowfall 154cm reported on 19 days March 2026 snowfall 38cm 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.