Niseko Now: Friday 16th January 2026
- Jan 16
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 456cm
Good morning from Niseko.
Just over 1cm of snow to add this morning but I think the more important news is that wind has eased off and top lifts are scheduled to open as planned at the start of the day.
My report was late yesterday, but I added some numbers in there that might be interest to snowfall data watchers. You can find the report here if you missed it.
I know many of you probably do anyway, but please be sure to check the Avalanche Report below.
I haven't mentioned recent accidents on the mountain in my reports as I can't really add anything of value. Of course, my thoughts are with the family and friends of people involved. Sombre incidents like this make you take a moment and re-assess everything. Or they probably should, anyway.
Take care out there, everyone.
------------------------------------
Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base 6am: -5℃, no new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: -7.9℃, trace new snow, other data n/a. Annupuri 1100m: -10.4℃, WNW6.6m/s, trace new snow. Village 1000m: -9.3℃, W4.8m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -10.2℃, ESE2.6m/s. Hanazono 800m: -6.7℃, ENE3.7m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NW13m/s, Kamui Cape SW12m/s, 1006hPa, 1.5m waves.
A temporary relaxation of the atmospheric pressure gradient has reduced wind speed and wave height at sea and on the mountain. Snowdrift development has subsided, and the general avalanche risk has decreased. Gates will open as soon as preparations are complete. However Moiwa will remain closed. Check with patrol and prepare before heading out the gates. The area outside is not part of the ski resort. Annupuri gate 8 will open today. Avoid the cornice slope on the other side of the valley, ride the fall line and start the exit traverse before the creek at the bottom. Be careful not to fall into the creek by staying out of the valley bottom. The dangers of the mine stream on the southeast face of the summit are unpredictable. Do not take beginners there carelessly. Ski along the fall line, not traverse the upper slope. Stay out of the valley. The dangers of the SE face of the peak in upper BackBowl are unpredictable. Do not carelessly take beginners there. Ride the fall line, never traverse the upper slope. Stay out of the valley.
The entire Anbetsu River will temporarily be designated a completely off-limits zone under Niseko rules. Skiing there has been permitted for over 15 years, but accidents continue to occur. Going forward, all access from Moiwa Ski Resort and other resorts will be prohibited. Do not try to find loopholes. A single track can lead to an accident. Niseko respects the freedom to ski out of bounds. But at the same time, we are constantly concerned about mountain accidents due to low temperatures. There is no safety in this sport. Overconfidence leads to accidents, and caution prevents them. Yesterday, Hirafu and Village patrols conducted rescue operations in the strictly off-limit area Haru no Taki. Respect the rules.
------------------------------------
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 0cm
Base: 3cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 220cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 160cm (-15cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
4 of 4 lifts
Gondola 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: 295cm (-15cm change since yesterday)
Base: 105cm (-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
------------------
Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 236cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 132cm (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
------------------
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: 200cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 130cm (no change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
6 of 6 lifts
Jumbo Number 1 quad until 7:30pm
------------------
Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Planned lift operations:
3 of 3 lifts
Niseko Now2025-2026 season |
Data as of Friday 16th January 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 456cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 45 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 238cm reported on 15 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.