Niseko Now: Thursday 22nd January 2026
- Jan 22
- 5 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 14cm
Snowfall at base this season 553cm
Good morning to you all from a still-snowy and cold Niseko.
Yes, the snow continues, and I have another 14cm to add this morning with more still promised. Hirafu is reporting 30cm fresh snowfall - both at base and top. That base number feels... too enthusiastic... but I can imagine the top number might actually be real. Hanazono and Annupuri are both reporting up to 20cm.
Might it actually snow every day until the end of the month? That is actually a fun prospect. (Though, secretly, I personally might enjoy a few hours of cheeky blue sky here and there).
Lifts all appear to be opening as planned this morning.
I wasn’t planning to follow up on my comments yesterday, but a follow up seems required.
Quite a few people sent some very thoughtful (and at times very detailed) comments yesterday in response to my somewhat long-winded writing about more serious stuff. Thank you very much, it has been genuinely interesting to read all these points of view. I’m sorry that I am unable to reply to them all individually, but I have read them and might well pick up on a few points in a future report.
It is good to hear from people who clearly love and respect Japan and are similarly concerned about some of the consequences of rapid change, the mis-behaviour by a few, and related issues.
I would like to emphasise that, when I was discussing visitors to Japan, I did not mention, or indeed imply, any specific nationality. That really didn't occur to me when I was preparing my comments.
Knuckleheads are knuckleheads, wherever they come from, ne.
One person made a point of saying that they still like to think that, in general, people are good. Yes, while such a thought almost seems quaint and old-fashioned in this world at this moment in time, I do like to believe that, too. After all, the loud knuckleheads stand out much more than the good folk just peacefully going about their lives, don’t they. I am thankful that the people in my life are good, and I wish the same for you.
Oh yes, thank you to the person who has nominated me for next year's 'Noble Peace Prize'. That made me chuckle (before sigh-ing). Seriously, though, I clearly deserve it. Coming to think of it, I'm extremely upset that it has taken so long for the myriad amount of my achievements to be so recognized.
Fun word, knucklehead. I’ll try not to overuse it. Promise.
:)
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -10℃, light wind, 10cm snowfall. Moiwa 800m: -11.5℃, data n/a, no cornice and snowdrift development, good visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -13.6℃, NW3.5m/s. Village 1000m: -12.2℃, N5.4m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -13.1℃, NNW7.1m/s. Hanazono 800m: -10.3℃, NW3.7m. Sea of Japan Benkei cape NNW8m/s, Kamui cape N11m/s, 1003hPa, 1.4m waves.
The 120 cm cornice shows consolidation and sintering, and 30 cm less wind-affected snow has accumulated evenly on the upper slopes. Based on observations and data evaluation, the overall avalanche risk is low. All peak gates, including Moiwa Gate 6, will open. Be prepared and follow the ski patrol’s instructions when you leave the gates. Niseko Rules respect the freedom to ski out of bounds and allow skiing under certain conditions. Always use gates when you go out of bounds. Outside the gate is not part of the ski area. With the exception of Mizunozawa, avalanche control is not performed. The rules designate Haru-no-taki, Yunosawa, and Anbetsu Valley as strictly off-limits areas. You must absolutely not enter these areas. Restricted areas are not designated because they are dangerous. Please understand that this is an unavoidable measure to allow skiing on slopes such as Kita-shamen, Higashi-one, and Mikaeri. If the rules are repeatedly disregarded, regulations will be tightened, as was the case with the recent designation of Anbetsu as a prohibited area.
To prevent accidents, do not stay at the bottom of the valley. Do not cause avalanches. There are people in the valley. Avoid skiing simultaneously and ride the fall line. Do you have a beacon? Do you have a probe, shovel, and rope? This sport is not very safe. Always be prudent. Be aware of sudden changes in the weather. The snow is wonderfully good.
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 20cm
Base: 17cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 255cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 180cm (+5cm 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: 335cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 130cm (no 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: 256cm (+26cm change since yesterday)
Base: 158cm (+23cm 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: 20cm
Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 220cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (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 Thursday 22nd January 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 553cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 51 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 335cm reported on 21 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.