Niseko Now: Sunday 14th December 2025
- Dec 14, 2025
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 149cm
Good morning from Niseko.
It does not feel quite as cold this morning but we do expect a drop in temperatures later and over the next several days. Along with fresh snow and some windy conditions.
Just a bit of snow since my report yesterday. At base level, Hanazono is reporting 2cm, Annupuri is reporting 5cm... and Hirafu is reporting 15cm. Hmmmm...
Following on from my comments about nighta/evening skiing yesterday, here is some historic data showing when the floodlit skiing has closed at Niseko Grand Hirafu in previous seasons:
1986 season: night skiing until 9:30pm
1987 season: night skiing until 9:00pm
1993 season: night skiing until 9:30pm
1996 season: night skiing until 9:30pm
2003 season: night skiing until 9:00pm
2012 season: night skiing until 8:30pm
2021 season: night skiing until 8:00pm
2022 season: night skiing until 7:00pm
2023 season: night skiing until 7:00pm
2024 season: night skiing until 7:00pm
2025 season: night skiing until 7:00pm
I'd love to be able to be out there until 9:30pm!
(And also know the reasons for the early closing time in recent years).
The mountain is not fully open yet, along with gates. As noted in the Avalanche Report below, please stay in bounds and... just respect stuff. Like good folk do.
Anyway, it's time for some Sunday morning toast!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base at 6am: -5℃, light winds, no new snow, good visibility. Moiwa Mikaeri 800m: -9℃, E1.6m/s, no new snow. Hanazono 800m: -5.2℃, SSW4.4m/s, no new snow in the last 12hrs. Coastal data: Benkei cape SSE4m/s, Kamui cape SSE4m/s, 1019hPa, wave height 0.6m.
There has been no new snowfall and wind slabs above 800m have consolidated. The overall avalanche risk is low, however be careful as cornices around 1000m are prone to breakage. Due to the lack of snow the bamboo grass has not yet flattened, making only groomed runs suitable for skiing. Lets hope the next storm covers them up. Snowfall is expected to start in the afternoon from the front of an approaching low pressure system. Strong winds and snow will follow, bringing rapid cornice and snowdrift growth on the lee sides of ridges. The avalanche risk will increase. Pay close attention to future snowfall trends.
Most avalanche accidents occur during or immediately after snowstorms. When entering the mountains, please consider the risks of weather changes and plan your climb and skiing accordingly. Skiing off-piste is not yet permitted. Do not thoughtlessly duck under ropes. Guests must follow the ski resort rules and must not cut lift lines. Respect for all is required regardless of nationality. Have a fun, injury-free Sunday.
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 10cm
Base: 2cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 145cm (-10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 73cm (-12cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
All 4 lifts
Gondola until 7:00pm
Planned open courses:
All main runs open except Legend of Shinya
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Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 15cm
Base: 15cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 185cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 75cm (no change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
Ace Gondola
Ace Family quad (until 7:00pm)
Ace Number 3 pair
King Gondola
King Number 3 six
Swinging Monkey
Planned open courses:
Family
Sennoki
Alpen
Beginners access
Green
Shirakaba
Center
Kokutai
Rinkan
Jumbo
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 125cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 60cm (no change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
Niseko Gondola
Upper Village Gondola (until 7:00pm)
Village Express (until 7:00pm)
Community Chair
Banzai Chair (until 7:00pm)
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 5cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 100cm (-10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 50cm (-10cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
Annupuri gondola
Dream Number 1 quad (until 7:00pm)
Jumbo Number 1 quad
Jumbo Number 2 pair
Planned open courses:
Utopia
Shirakaba
Paradise
Junior
Family
Junior
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Planned lift operations:
All 3 lifts
Niseko Now2025-2026 season |
Data as of Sunday 14th December 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 149cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 18 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (on 12th December) November 2025 snowfall 29cm reported on 7 days December 2025 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 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.