Niseko Now: Saturday 24th January 2026
- Jan 24
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 20cm
Snowfall at base this season 591cm
Good morning from a very snowy and cold Niseko.
It's really coming down at the moment! Rather varying snowfall numbers reported by ski areas and the Avalanche Report this morning (up to 50cm up on mountain?!), which is interesting, but they're all nice numbers. (Well, apart from Niseko Vill... ok, I'll stop).
My own base number for the day is 20cm.
That brings my monthly snowfall total so far up to 373cm. Currently that is the most snowfall I have observed in January since the 2020-2021 season. If the number rises to over 4m, it'll be up there with the bumper Januarys of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014.
After all the words of the last few days, I'm going to leave it at that for today.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base 6am: -10℃, 40cm snow in 24hr. Moiwa 800m: -12.8℃, data n/a, 50cm new snow in 24hr. Annupuri 1100m: -15.1℃, light ESE winds, 50cm snow in 24hrs. Village 1000m: -13.8℃, WSW4.1m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -14.4℃, SSW4.3m/s, 40cm new snow. Hanazono 800m: -11.5℃, WNW2.0m/s, 40cm new snow.
Light winds and cold air continue to flow in. Observations and breaking tests indicate stable snow accumulations and little slab formation. The general avalanche risk is low. Surface avalanches occur when snowdrifts create slabs downwind, however slab formation can also occur when solar heat builds up on the surface of large amounts of snow. Be careful on south-facing cliff slopes, like Haru no Taki. All peak gates are expected to open. Fujiwara Gate No. 4 will open at staggered times. The snow is deep. Be prepared before going out the gates. Do not duck ropes to enter the newly established Anbetsu strictly off limits area. Several people were caught by the Moiwa patrol yesterday. I understand your feelings, but for now, please respect the rules. These rules were established out of necessity due to frequent accidents. All resort users must abide by them. Accidents occur due to carelessness and overconfidence. Always be vigilant. There is no safety in this sport. While many Asians visit Niseko, experienced Westerners also come here and climb the mountain. I hope everyone is safe. Have a nice day.
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 10cm
Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 260cm (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: 355cm (+15cm change since yesterday)
Base: 135cm (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: 258cm (+8cm change since yesterday)
Base: 170cm (+10cm 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: 150cm (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 Saturday 24th January 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 591cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 53 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 373cm reported on 23 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.