Niseko Now: Saturday 14th March 2026
- Mar 14
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 863cm
Good morning from Niseko on this Saturday morning.
I have added the 'planned closing dates' information to the list below. They are all, of course, subject to change. Nature will dictate.
It feels quite mild this morning and temps are around 0-1C with ski areas reporting -4 at peak. There is a lot of cloud and it is still windy; I have to post this report before opening times but it looks like at least top lifts will be affected again this morning.
I have another dusting of snow to report and adding 1cm today. (I'm all out of my 'in hand' mm for rounding up now).
I didn't notice that Asahigaoka ski area had closed on 8th, so sorry about that oversight. No more cheap skiing in the Niseko region! ;)
On that note, it was when I was updating the list below that I noticed that a one day ticket at Niseko Moiwa in peak season was 13,000 yen. Thankfully, they are now selling at 'spring season' prices and a ticket is 'only' 8,400 yen. (Walk up ticket window prices, a bit cheaper if you buy online). I haven't been over there this season actually, so I hadn't really thought about that. Yikes.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base 6am: -1℃, light wind, trace new snow. Moiwa 800m: -3.2℃, ENE4.4m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -5.1℃, NNE6.5m/s. Village 1000m: -4.0℃, NNE10.9m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -4.6℃, N9.9m/s, 5cm new snow. Hanazono 800m: -2.8℃, N3.6m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NE8m/s, Kamui Cape ENE4m/s, 1025hPa, wave n/a.
Strong northeasterly winds blowing from the low-pressure system over the Kuril Islands are causing shallow snowdrifts development above 1000m. Shallow surface avalanches due to crust failure are possible on open, steep slopes like Back Bowl. If caught in these avalanches, sometimes called “magic carpets,” you are carried at high speed to the valley floor and buried in hard debris. The risk of full-depth avalanches is increasing around the mountain. Particular caution is advised on the slopes by run outs between ski resorts below 800m, eg: Mikaeri and Moiwa Bowl, and Hirafu Super Course, where entry is restricted. Full-depth avalanches can be predicted from cracks, but avalanches can occur instantaneously when cracks appear. The main peak gates will be closed to prevent accidents. Please listen to the patrol’s advice. There are many dangers during this transition to spring. When entering the mountains, walk with sufficient distance between your party, do not rest in valley bottoms or at the bottom of possible avalanche slopes. Be careful not to fall into swollen streams, rescue is difficult if you are swept away under a snow bridge. It is recommended to carry a short 8mm x 15m rope along with your beacon. Never enter the restricted areas of Harunotaki, Yunosawa, Moiwa Anbetsu, or the closed Mizunosawa area. Respect the rules. Guides and tour leaders have a great responsibility for safety.
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 2cm
Base: 2cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 295cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 180cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Planned night lift operations:
Gondola until 7:00pm
Planned last day of the season:
Sunday 12th April
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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: 365cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 100cm (no change since yesterday)
Planned night lift operations:
Ace Gondola, Ace Family quad, King Gondola and King Holiday pair until 7:00pm
Planned last day of the season:
Wednesday 6th May
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 255cm (-15cm change since yesterday)
Base: 153cm (+1cm change since yesterday)
Planned night lift operations:
Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair until 7:00pm
Planned last day of the season:
Sunday 12th April
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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: 140cm (no change since yesterday)
Planned night lift operations:
Jumbo Number 1 quad until 7:30pm
Planned last day of the season:
Wednesday 6th May
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Niseko Moiwa has a planned closing date of Sunday 5th April.
Asahigaoka ski area (near Kutchan Station) closed on 8th March.
Niseko Now2025-2026 season |
Data as of Saturday 14th March 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 863cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 87 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 40cm reported on 10 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.