Niseko Now: Sunday 1st February 2026
- Feb 1
- 9 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 8cm
Snowfall at base this season 677cm
It's snowing nicely as I write this and we expect incoming snow today and tomorrow.
The reported snowfall numbers are varied this morning. Hanazono and Hirafu are reporting what seem rather large number, Annupuri saying 7cm and the Avalanche Report is only reporting a trace amount.
Hopefully all lifts will be opening as scheduled this morning.
Here's what I wrote yesterday.
A look back at the season so far: until the end of January 2026
Hurray! It's monthly recap thingy time!
As always, the initial important note. The numbers I am introducing below are all the snowfall measurements I observed near the base of Hirafu. The monthly and annual numbers in these reports are comparable, because they come to you from the same spot and are being observed by the same person every day over the last 14 seasons.
Keep in mind that 'snowfall numbers at base' is by no means the full story of how the season is going. My observed snowfall data does not account for the fact that there is usually more snow at higher elevations or say anything about snow quality. (More information on snowfall numbers here). More insight into the season can be gained in the daily commentary I write in my report each morning.
Always remember to look beyond the numbers.
Anyway, with all that out of the way, let's numbers! Thankfully, they are much improved.
Here's how much snowfall I have measured in January each season since the 2012-2013 season.
January 2026: 451cm
January 2025: 161cm
January 2024: 298cm
January 2023: 332cm
January 2022: 325cm
January 2021: 387cm
January 2020: 224cm
January 2019: 285cm
January 2018: 305cm
January 2017: 152cm
January 2016: 303cm
January 2015: 257cm
January 2014: 461cm
January 2013: 443cm
451cm! Now that's a good number and way more than January last year. It was reported on 28 days, so there were only 3 days in the month when I was not able to report any observed snowfall at base.
451cm is also only 10cm less than the 'most ever' observed snowfall in January since recorded measurements began on SnowJapan in 2014.
What a contrast with the previous month. (More on that later).
Here's how much snow has been observed since the beginning of the season.
2025/2026 season up to the end of January 2026: 669cm
2024/2025 season up to end of January 2025: 510cm
2023/2024 season up to end of January 2023: 665cm
2022/2023 season up to end of January 2022: 685cm
2021/2022 season up to end of January 2021: 717cm
2020/2021 season up to end of January 2020: 797cm
2019/2020 season up to end of January 2019: 516cm
2018/2019 season up to end of January 2018: 702cm
2017/2018 season up to end of January 2017: 899cm
2016/2017 season up to end of January 2016: 443cm
2015/2016 season up to end of January 2015: 608cm
2014/2015 season up to end of January 2014: 806cm
2013/2014 season up to end of January 2013: 859cm
2012/2013 season up to end of January 2012: 979cm
December 2025 was always going to temper the impressive January 2026 showing, but we are now in a much-improved position than we were a month ago.
In fact, let's sort that list into 'ranking' order:
2012/2013 season up to end of January 2012: 979cm
2017/2018 season up to end of January 2017: 899cm
2013/2014 season up to end of January 2013: 859cm
2014/2015 season up to end of January 2014: 806cm
2020/2021 season up to end of January 2020: 797cm
2021/2022 season up to end of January 2021: 717cm
2018/2019 season up to end of January 2018: 702cm
2022/2023 season up to end of January 2022: 685cm
2025/2026 season up to the end of January 2026: 669cm
2023/2024 season up to end of January 2023: 665cm
2015/2016 season up to end of January 2015: 608cm
2019/2020 season up to end of January 2019: 516cm
2024/2025 season up to end of January 2025: 510cm
2016/2017 season up to end of January 2016: 443cm
So we are still less than a bunch of previous seasons, but very respectable, especially considering the comeback aspect.
Looking forward to the rest of the season, here's how much of the total snowfall of a season had been reported at the end of January in previous seasons:
By the end of January 2025, as a % of the season total: about 65%
By the end of January 2024, as a % of the season total: about 75%
By the end of January 2023, as a % of the season total: about 68%
By the end of January 2022, as a % of the season total: about 63%
By the end of January 2021, as a % of the season total: about 66%
By the end of January 2020, as a % of the season total: about 71%
By the end of January 2019, as a % of the season total: about 74%
By the end of January 2018, as a % of the season total: about 71%
By the end of January 2017, as a % of the season total: about 65%
By the end of January 2016, as a % of the season total: about 61%
By the end of January 2015, as a % of the season total: about 70%
By the end of January 2014, as a % of the season total: about 74%
By the end of January 2013, as a % of the season total: about 66%
Looking at that data, we can normally expect to have seen about 65-70% of the total at this point in the season. So 30-35% still to come.
How about February in previous seasons?
February 2025: 196cm (706cm)
February 2024: 144cm (809cm)
February 2023: 289cm (974cm)
February 2022: 337cm (1054cm)
February 2021: 325cm (1122cm)
February 2020: 143cm (659cm)
February 2019: 198cm (900cm)
February 2018: 299cm (1198cm)
February 2017: 160cm (603cm)
February 2016: 266cm (874cm)
February 2015: 196cm (1002cm)
February 2014: 178cm (1037cm)
February 2013: 316cm (1295cm)
The number in brackets is the season total as of the end of February.
At least another 3m please!
A few thoughts
Early season excitement aside, December 2025 was not an easy/fun month to report on. But I have been enjoying thinking about the real contrast between that month and the month we have just experienced.
If you remember, around Christmas, I was informed that some 'reputable website' (of which I still do not know the identity, and do not wish to know) was excitedly telling the world how Japan was enjoying excellent snowfall and incredible conditions. This was at a time when snowfall was lethargic at best, almost uniformly across Japan, and low snowfall was actually becoming worrisome.
Up to the end of December 2025, I observed the least snowfall since records (on this site) began in 2012. You can read my own recap here, posted on 1st January 2026. In it, I made this point: 'With the top lifts and gates yet to open this season, it still somehow feels like we're waiting for the main event to get started'.
December 2025 was very clearly not up to the standards of the Niseko dream that people pay handsomely for the privilege of enjoying.
I don't know whether that kind of reporting/article is knowingly misleading or just uninformed. Neither of those is good. But, for whatever reason, it was misleading.
And, to get to my main point, the over-the-top superlatives were neither realistic nor earned.
Then we get January 2026.
451cm of snowfall was reported across 28 days in the month, which was almost the most I have ever observed in January.
This has got to be up there as one of the most significant December/January contrasts I have experienced.
In January 2026, unlike December 2025, the superlatives and excitement were earned.
Yeah, I know: in the world of the internet, clicks are everything (* being misleading to get them is a conscious choice) and truth and facts don't really matter as much as they used to (* I like to think they do matter).
I have always thought that for superlatives to have any real meaning, there needs to be a contrast between the poor, average, good and great. Otherwise, it's just a tiresome mush of noise that you can't trust. For those of us who genuinely care, anyway.
Changing the subject...
If you may remember, in recent years, a special structure was built near the base lifts at Hanazono. At first, we - well, I - thought it might be a giant Super Mario pipe thingy, but it turned out to be a 'yurt' (a posh tent).
Two seasons ago, said posh tent housed the wonderful Louis Vuitton Niseko Winter Resort Pop-up Store, enabling us to satisfy our posh bags and other expensive accessory needs on the way to and from the ski lifts.
A similar temporary structure came back for a short period last season, housing the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet Pop-Up Store & Bar. That one offered posh bags that 'pushed boundaries' for bottles of expensive whiskey, according to the marketing blurb.
Are we going to be similarly treated to some expensive (but essential) goodies this season?
Well, not that I'm plugged in to such information sources, but I haven't heard anything, which is rather disappointing. And there's no 'yurt' being built right now.
I did submit my own idea for a facility that would have been called Toast. It would have had 10 or more quality toasters, along with various fresh breads and the like. Satisfying the toast needs of everyone throughout the day! I thought it was a fabulous idea, but I didn't hear back.
Perhaps the maddest thing of this season might end up being that 150,000 yen Fast Pass + First Track Premium Lift Ticket at Hirafu (discussed here).
The other, more serious conversation of the month was my extended comments on 21st January and the following few days. Thanks again to everyone who sent in thoughts and feedback on that subject, I found it very interesting.
Let's all be good boys and girls.
I'll end with a reminder of the official blurb for that Johnnie Walker store last year. Just for the giggles.
"Johnnie Walker Blue Label has collaborated with luxury ski wear brand, Perfect Moment, to craft this season's must-have aprés-ski accessory. Fusing technical excellence with a contemporary, fashion-led design, Perfect Moment pushes boundaries and transforms traditional whisky packaging into a stylish bag, which becomes a crossbody accessory once the bottle is removed."
Funny!
(Where can I buy one?)
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base 6am: -6℃, light wind, trace snow. Moiwa 800m: -9.4℃, data n/a. Annupuri 1100m: -11.8℃, WNW6.1m/s. Village 1000m: -10.5℃, WNW1.9m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -11.0℃, SSE2.1m/s. Hanazono 800m: -8.0℃, NNW4.2m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NNW12m/s, Kamui Cape W5m/s, 1011hPa, wave 1.2m.
Light snow overnight with slow snowdrift development into the early hours of the morning. Winds peaked at 15m/s at 2:00 AM, then remained below 10m/s. Morning observations showed snowdrifts had reset at 20cm, and the avalanche risk is low. All peak gates are expected to be open. Off-piste skiing in Niseko is permitted while Niseko Rules are followed. Although the Niseko Rules are not officially recognized by the government, they were established to balance accident prevention with your freedom to ski, and have been particularly effective in preventing avalanche accidents. In recent years tourism has become more active and diverse, and the customer base has changed which has caused a high number of accidents caused by reasons other than avalanches. In order to prevent accidents and promote the sustainable development of tourism, we once again strongly urge not only ski resorts but also hotels and other accommodation facilities and restaurants to strengthen their efforts to promote the Niseko Rules. Never enter restricted areas. Restricted areas were not established simply because they are dangerous. We emphasize once again that these are unavoidable prohibited areas to allow skiing on the northern slope of the peak, the east ridge, Mikaeri, and other areas. There is no such thing as 100% safety in this sport. We respect the patrol who ensure safety. Is your beacon on?
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 25cm
Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 280cm (+16cm change since yesterday)
Base: 200cm (+18cm 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: 350cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 150cm (+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: 275cm (+3cm change since yesterday)
Base: 170cm (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: 7cm
Base: 7cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 275cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 200cm (-10cm 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 1st February 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 677cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 59 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 8cm reported on 1 day |
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.