Niseko Now: Sunday 18th January 2026
- Jan 18
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 19cm
Snowfall at base this season 491cm
Good morning from Niseko.
It is snowing again as I write this report.
Once again the Avalanche Report has 40cm as it's new snowfall number. The most being reported by the ski areas is 30cm from Hirafu, with Annupuri and Hanazono both saying 10cm at base and Hanazono with 15cm at top. (Just to be clear, I'm not making any particular point here, just relaying the numbers that are out there).
My own measurement of new snowfall as of 8am this morning is 19cm, taking my season to date number up to 491cm.
It felt quite windy out there when I was having my pre-report walk, and snow was certainly being blown around.
Still, all lifts appear to be opening as planned at the start of the day.
I am happy to see regular snowfall on the forecast, too.
That's all I got for you this morning. If you are here to enjoy the current conditions, have fun and take care.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base 6am: -5℃, strong winds, 40cm snowfall. Moiwa 800m: -9℃, data n/a. Annupuri 1100m: -11.2℃, WNW10.4m/s. Village 1000m: -10.0℃, WNW5.6m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -10.6℃, WSW5.9m/s. Hanazono 800m: -7.8℃, NW9.4m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NW15m/s, Kamui Cape W11m/s, 1016hPa, 2.7m wave.
At 1000m, wind peaked overnight at 25m/s @ 2:00 AM. Although the wind was not particularly strong, there was heavy snowfall, with snowdrifts reaching 100-150cm in some areas. Cornices were slowly developing. Observations and data indicate a HIGH avalanche risk on open, leeward slopes above treeline. All peak gates will be closed. Please follow patrol instructions.
Accidents at Haru no Taki continue. Yesterday, a successful rescue was conducted through a collaboration between the Hirafu Patrol, the Hokkaido Police Rescue Team and the fire department. Thank you. We are grateful to the Hokkaido Police Rescue Team for their daily deployments at Anbetsu, Furano Nishidake, and Haru no Taki yesterday. This string of accidents has left us all feeling helpless. It’s like playing whack-a-mole. But we cannot give up. At the Niseko Avalanche Research Center, we continue to compile daily information, hoping that one day accidents will stop. Overconfidence, lack of knowledge and understanding of this sport are what causes accidents. But as long as no one dies it’s OK. We hope that today will also be a safe day. Respect to the patrol. They play an important role in your safety at the ski resort. Snow in the forest is good.
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 15cm
Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 235cm (+8cm change since yesterday)
Base: 160cm (-4cm 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: 30cm
Base: 30cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 320cm (+20cm change since yesterday)
Base: 130cm (+20cm 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: 220cm (-16cm change since yesterday)
Base: 130cm (-2cm 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: 10cm
Base: 10cm
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
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Planned lift operations:
3 of 3 lifts
Niseko Now2025-2026 season |
Data as of Sunday 18th January 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 491cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 47 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 273cm reported on 17 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.