Niseko Now: Sunday 15th February 2026
- Feb 15
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 786cm
Good morning from Niseko.
No fresh snow to report this morning and some cloudier skies to start this Sunday morning. In fact, it looks rather poor visibility higher up early on.
Top lifts are on hold at the start of the day due to rather blowy south-westerly winds.
It is noticeably mild, too. Looks like all of Japan is having a very spring-like weekend. I noticed a spring-themed advertisement on the TV last night, too. I protest!!!
Back to more snow tomorrow perhaps?
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base 6am: +2℃, no new snow, snowmelt. Moiwa 800m: -0.2℃, SSW3.6m/s, thick fog, poor visibility, no new snow. Annupuri 1100m: -1.9℃, SSW6.3m/s. Village 1000m: -1.0℃, SSW7.6m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -1.3℃, SSE8.4m/s. Hanazono 800m: +0.3℃, N4.5m/s. Coastal data: Benkei CapeS8m/s, Kamui Cape S15m/s, 1008hPa, wave 0.9m.
A low pressure system is moving north over the Sea of Japan, bringing warm air and snowmelt to the lower mountain. There are strengthening southerly winds above 1000m and thick fog below 700m. Observations show no new snowdrift development, however some areas are prone to avalanches due to collapsing cornices. Snow from a collapsing cornice is as heavy as a bus. It collapses instantly, making escape impossible. Do not play around with cornices, they can be deadly. Main gates will be closed today. Please follow the patrols instructions. A group was caught entering Haru no Taki yesterday. Niseko Rules are in place to give resort users the ability to ski off-course. Never enter restricted areas. Please follow the Rules to ensure free skiing. The light is weak, making it difficult to see undulations in the slope. Be careful of too much speed and fall. There will be no new snow until the next storm. Be patient. The current snow surface will become a Feb 15 temperature gradient layer. Pay attention to the snowfall trend. Be careful of snow falling from roofs. If children are playing, warn them of the dangers. Have a nice day.
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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: 300cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 210cm (-14cm 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: 0cm
Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 380cm (-10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 160cm (-10cm 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: 0cm
Base: 0cm
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 Sunday 15th 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.