Niseko Now: Tuesday 24th March 2026
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 873cm
Good morning from Niseko.
It's a brighter morning, and a bit bluer too, with a hazy look especially looking over to Mt Yotei.
Talking of which, I did get to play a bit of that 'Ghost of Yotei' game. Very pretty, but it all seems a bit too complicated and time-consuming to me. And I couldn't find my house. Clearly it wasn't around in the early Edo period. And neither were the ski lifts and fancy condos. Slightly disappointing.
Getting back on topic, here's a new exciting 'feature' for my report in this final stretch:
The following lifts are now closed:
Hirafu: Ace Number 3 pair, Ace Number 4 pair
Village: Morino Chair
Annupuri: Jumbo Number 2 pair, Jumbo Number 3 pair
(Those lifts not operating does not affect open terrain).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -2°C, clear. Moiwa 800m: -1.8°C, NNW 5.0m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -3.5°C, NNW 3.9m/s. Niseko Village 1000m: -2.6°C, N 6.6m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -4.0°C, N 10.8m/s. Hanazono 800m: -2.5°C, NNE 2.7m/s. Sea of Japan Benkei Cape: light winds. Kamui Cape: ENE 4m/s, 1018hPa, wave height unknown.
Clear skies within a high-pressure system, though north winds are relatively strong in high elevation. With no new snowfall, snowdrifts or significant wind-slab development, the risk of surface avalanches is low. All gates are scheduled to open; follow the instructions of the ski patrol. On open 40-degree slopes around 1200m that have frozen, avalanches caused by crust failure are likely to occur. Use caution. Snowmelt will progress during the day. Be alert for full-depth avalanches in Moiwa Bowl at 800m, the lower sections of the Backbowl West Ridge, and the Goshiki Onsen side of the West Ridge. To avoid accidents, do not stay at the bottom of gullies. Cross creeks and dangerous zones one person at a time with wide intervals. Do not ski in strictly prohibited areas.
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 0cm
Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 285cm (-2cm change since yesterday)
Base: 170cm (no change since yesterday)
Planned last day of the season:
Sunday 12th April
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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: 350cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 90cm (no change since yesterday)
Planned last day of the season:
Wednesday 6th May
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 253cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 144cm (no change since yesterday)
Planned last day of the season:
Sunday 12th April
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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: 270cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 120cm (-10cm change since yesterday)
Planned last day of the season:
Wednesday 6th May
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Niseko Moiwa has a planned closing date of Sunday 5th April.
Asahigaoka ski area (near Kutchan Station) closed on 8th March.
Niseko Now2025-2026 season |
Data as of Tuesday 24th March 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 873cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 90 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 154cm reported on 19 days March 2026 snowfall 50cm reported on 13 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.