Niseko Now: Thursday 13th March 2025
- Mar 13, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 726cm
Posted on Thursday 13th March 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Not the most inspiring of mornings with warm temperatures and rain, though that has largely eased off now and there is even a bit of sun shining through. Visibility has clearly improved since the Avalanche Report (below) was put together.
Unfortunately, pesky southerly wind is also an issue this morning. Summit lifts are on hold, as are the gondolas at Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri.
It may feel like we are well into spring season now, but lift ticket prices only enter 'spring season' (ie. become a bit cheaper) from 24th March. Until then, according to the ski areas, we are still in 'regular season'.
But on that note, might we see a return to more winter-like conditions in the coming days? We might indeed, and it will be interesting to see how the next week develops. I am hopefully there will be some fresh layers to enjoy.
------------------------------------
In my monthly recap a few weeks ago, some people picked up on one of my comments:
"I usually quite enjoy the season from March onwards. There may well be less powder, but there are way fewer people around, too. In some ways, it takes me back to when I first came here, which is probably another reason I like it".
Yes, the spring season. I love beautiful fluffy powder snow as much as anyone. Obviously, in spring, we don't get the regular powder we expect (and demand) during the peak season. But the more laid-back atmosphere with significantly fewer people around appeals to me. It can be a lot of fun if you can successfully forget to obsess about fresh! A different kind of fun.
Like I said, the lack of crowds reminds me somewhat of when I first came here.
Without revealing too much, I first came here several decades ago, not long after the famous Japanese ski boom in the late 80s and early 90s. The first time I skied here was incredible. It was indeed a revelation. I will never forget those early years and, indeed, all of my wonderful experiences during my early time in Japan. Heady days!
I have subsequently lived in the wider area for quite a while.
Back then, 'Niseko' (meaning the skiing and immediate area, etc) was very different from what it has become. And, particularly in this last decade or so, it has transformed (almost) beyond recognition.
Which do I prefer, Niseko from several decades ago or Niseko in 2025? I have been asked, and so I will answer:
Easy. Niseko from several decades ago. But why?
- Generally, I (think correctly) remember there being more snow.
- The snow was more consistent, too, and the season felt longer.
- There were way (way!) fewer people around than now.
- Everything was way (way!) cheaper than it is now.
- There was also a local Japanese community, which has sadly since largely disappeared (certainly in the resort areas).
Yes, it was a more 'rustic' experience than it is now. (Incidentally, much like many ski areas around Japan, even now in 2025). But that rustic thing does have its own charm.
And it felt like Japan.
Over the last few days, I have been trying to think of possible reasons why anyone would prefer Niseko now (see what I did there?) over how Niseko was back then.
Some new modern lifts. More bars and restaurants. And posh accommodation. Stuff like that. ***
The only people I think would - hand-on-heart - really prefer 'now' over a few decades ago are those making tons of cash out of the current boom.
Please don't misunderstand my above comments.
I do not inherently dislike change.
And I have nothing against people being successful and making money.
I'm not keen on greed, though. And I see lots of what is happening here now purely about money, not skiing.
The passion used to be about skiing. It still is for some, of course and I count myself in that group.
But now, for some/many, the passion just seems to be about the pursuit of becoming extremely wealthy.
I admit that makes me a little sad and a lot contemplative.
I suppose this is what happens to lots of trendy ski destinations (of a certain quality) that gain worldwide attention. Perhaps it is inevitable.
Obviously, I have a long history with Niseko, and have been here as it has changed. Perhaps I am the frog in the water being heated up. I do wonder how I would feel if I now came to Niseko for the first time. Or perhaps if I came here for the first time since the mid-1990s... that would be mad.
These are just my thoughts.
Finally, and, of course, I still very much love this place. That is why I live here. It is also why I am willing to dedicate up to an hour every morning for six months each year telling you lot about it! :)
------------------------------------
*** I may well have missed something, and I am genuinely interested in hearing from you if you feel I have. If there's anything I feel is significant, I will discuss it here in a future report.
------------------------------------
Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base +6℃, rain is melting the snow. Moiwa 800m: -1.5℃, SSW8.2℃, rain and thick fog, no visibility. Mikaeri 750m: -1℃, WSW1.3m/s, thick fog, no vis. Annupuri 1100m: -0.1℃, WSW10.1m/s, thick fog and no vis. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -0.1℃, S15.4m/s, thick fog and no vis. Coastal data: Benkei cape W9m/s, Kamui cape S14m/s, 1004hPa, 0.7m waves.
A thick fog and cold rain morning under 600m elevation due to the 1000hPa low-pressure system moving north over the Japan Sea. Visibility is bad. The isobar gaps are tight on the east side of the system and a strong southerly wind is blowing above 1000m elevation. The wind will shift to the west as the system passes and winter will come back to the mountains. It’ll be wet and cold today, so it's recommended to call it a day early and go to the Onsen. The temperature will drop at night and the roads and slopes will freeze. Treacherous road conditions are expected, drive carefully. Cars cannot stop quickly on frozen roads. Glide avalanche risk is rising in valleys’ sidewalls of all elevations. Do not sneak out the ropes behind the ski patrols back. Glide avalanches are highly likely to occur in the Yu-no-Sawa and Haru-no-Taki area. These areas are strictly off-limits for a good reason, don’t go riding in there. One track left in there will lead many others to follow and end up in an accident. Avalanche related experiments by NIED are in operation at Moiwa peak. We appreciate your cooperation. The weather is changing daily, adjust your plans wisely according to the conditions. We hope that nothing major occurs today. Have a nice day.
------------------------------------
Individual ski area information for Thursday 13th March 2025
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
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: 290cm
Base: 205cm
Lifts:
The gondola is scheduled to be open 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: 330cm
Base: 120cm
Lifts:
The Ace Gondola, Ace Family quad, King Gondola and King Holiday pair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 220cm
Base: 140cm
Lifts:
The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are scheduled to be open 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: 260cm
Base: 120cm
Lifts:
The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
------------------------------------
Night skiing
Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Sunday 23rd March 2025
Niseko Now 2024-2025 season |
Data as of Thursday 13th March 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 726cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 85 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (6th February) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 311cm reported on 28 days January 2025 snowfall 161cm reported on 19 days February 2025 snowfall 196cm reported on 24 days March 2025 snowfall 20cm reported on 6 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.