Niseko Now: Tuesday 13th January 2026
- Jan 13
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 19cm
Snowfall at base this season 422cm
Another 19cm of snow to report this morning.
Yikes! There's a lot of people around seeking out the fresh snow.
Good job we got it right now, ne. :)
All lifts are go!
------------------------------------
Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -7℃, light wind, 25cm of crystal snow. Moiwa 800m: -9.4℃, NNW1.9m/s, 30cm snowfall. Annupuri 1100m: -11.4℃, WNW6.0m/s. Village 1000m: -10.3℃, WSW2.8m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -10.9℃, ENE2.0m/s. Hanazono 800m: -8.3℃, N1.2m/s. Sea of Japan Benkei cape WNW5m/s, Kamui cape SW10m/s, 1002hPa, 2.5m waves.
The wind has weakened ahead of the low-pressure system, and sea wave heights have decreased. The development of wind slabs above 800m has subsided, and 30–40cm of light, crystalline snow has settled on the mountain. The snow surface has not formed slabs, and the avalanche risk is currently low. In the Hirafu area, lift operations will be delayed as crews require time to recover installations. Please follow instructions from the Ski Patrol. Hanazono Gate 5 is expected to open as soon as preparations are complete. Moiwa Gate 6, at a lower elevation, will be open for a limited time. Keep in mind that outside the gates is not the ski resort. When heading out, consult with the ski patrol and ensure you have your beacon, probe, shovel, as well as a rope. Do not duck the boundary ropes. The Niseko Rules are built on a foundation of trust between users and the resort.
The snow is deep. If you enter the backcountry without proper equipment, you will not be able to return to the resort. Bring snowshoes or touring skins. There is no such thing as “perfect safety” in this sport. Cautiousness will prevent accidents; overconfidence invites them. Have a good day.
------------------------------------
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 10cm
Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 243cm (+3cm change since yesterday)
Base: 153cm (+3cm 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: 25cm
Base: 25cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 305cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 120cm (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: 200cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 110cm (no change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
7 of 8 lifts (not Country Road)
Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 20cm
Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 190cm (+30cm change since yesterday)
Base: 150cm (+20cm 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 Tuesday 13th January 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 422cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 42 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 204cm reported on 12 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.