Niseko Now: Saturday 14th February 2026
- Feb 14
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 14cm
Snowfall at base this season 786cm
Good morning from Niseko.
We did enjoy snow during the daytime yesterday with ski areas reporting 20-24cm on the mountain.
No further new overnight and mild conditions are expected over the weekend; it looks like a Japan-wide thing.
It is a fine morning with the sun making a starring appearance and some lovely blue skies. Doesn't feel windy either! Looking over to Mt Yotei; not wearing any cloud hat this morning and a certain hazy kind of feel going on.
It should be a fine - though busy - day.
Forecasts seem to show a return to snow by Monday morning along with a dip in temps.
Last night I saw the monthly forecast put out by JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency). I kind of wish I hadn't, as it showed a high chance of 'warmer than normal' temperatures for the whole of northern Japan and Hokkaido. I should point out that this was a very general forecast and certainly not specific for Niseko, but it's still better to see 'normal' or 'colder than normal' on these things. We'll just have to see what Nature delivers.
I can't quite believe it is the middle of February already. That means I'm about half way through my reporting for the season. Golly.
Today is Valentines Day, another one of those Japanese traditions dating back to well before the Edo period*.
Don't worry, though, guys if you forgot chocolate for your lady friend... you can give your 'reciprocal chocolate' on White Day on the 14th March.
Here's what Wikipedia says:
"White Day is celebrated annually on March 14, one month after Valentine's Day, when men give reciprocal gifts to women who gave them gifts on Valentine's Day. It began in Japan in 1978".
So that one is more recent. I'm absolutely certain that it had nothing whatsoever to do with commercial interests. It is, of course, purely about love!
(* Possibly incorrect).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base 6am: -5℃, 5cm new snow, calm, clear. Moiwa 800m: -3.8℃, NW6.7m/s, 40cm new snow, snowdrift development. Annupuri 1100m: -6.4℃, WNW3.3m/s. Village 1000m: -5.0℃, WNW3.1m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -5.7℃, N3.0m/s. Hanazono 800m: -2.5℃, NNW5.8m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NNW12m/s, Kamui Cape NNE2m/s, 1015hPa, 1.0m waves.
We are under a high-pressure zone sandwiched between low-pressure zones, weather is calm with no pressure gradient. There were westerly winds from midnight, with gusts of 15-20m/s at 5am, that have reset areas above 700m. Winds have since dropped. Snowdrifts have stabilized over time, however cornices will still easily collapse. Observations and assessments indicate a low overall avalanche risk. All peak gates are expected to be open, please follow the patrols instructions. Never enter restricted areas. Those working in the hotel or food service industry, in particular, must not break the Rules. If you’re lucky you could lose your job. If you’re unlucky you could lose your life. Do not duck ropes to enter Haru no Taki. These southern slopes are always at risk of avalanches. If one person enters, others will follow their tracks, and accidents will occur. The same can be said for Anbetsu, which has recently been closed to the public. Off-piste skiing in Niseko is not approved by the government. If people continue to carelessly break the rules, the rideable area will shrink further. Authorities allow off-piste skiing as a Special Local Rule, provided that skiers are aware of their responsibilities and are safety conscious. Do not duck ropes. There is no safety in this sport. Is your beacon on? The days are getting longer. Have a great day.
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 20cm
Base: 24cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 305cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 224cm (+9cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
4 of 4 lifts
Gondola until 7:00pm
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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: 390cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 170cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
9 of 9 lifts
Ace Gondola, Ace Family quad, King Gondola and King Holiday pair until 7:00pm
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 290cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 200cm (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
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 20cm
Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 280cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 200cm (no change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
6 of 6 lifts
Jumbo Number 1 quad until 7:30pm
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Planned lift operations:
3 of 3 lifts
Niseko Now2025-2026 season |
Data as of Saturday 14th February 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 786cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 71 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 117cm reported on 13 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.