Niseko Now: Monday 26th January 2026
- Jan 26
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 19cm
Snowfall at base this season 644cm
Good morning from Niseko.
Another 19cm to report this Monday morning after snow much of yesterday (and some started up again this morning).
It is snowing now, still, and quite a lot in places though over at Annupuri it is rather bright and even a bit of sunshine breaking through the clouds.
I enjoy following the other daily reports on SnowJapan. It seems down there in Niigata Prefecture they have had one of their mad snow periods. I'm not sure how I would cope with 120cm of snowfall in 1 day. Not even sure I'd like it, though it sure sounds exciting. That is just mad, though. I would like to experience it one day.
Someone asked how can official snow depth go down when there's 30+cm of new snowfall? Hey, ask the ski areas! Official snow depth numbers, to me, are only mildly interesting in the big picture, and not something to dwell on. They often feel like they don't make much sense, best not to overthink.
It's interesting (well, a bit) how Niseko Village does seem to keep on updating that not particularly useful snow depth number, whilst still completely ignoring the daily snowfall number (which is 0cm every day). 0cm of fresh every day sounds really rubbish. I'm not going there!
Everywhere else - with all the consistent new snow being reported - conditions should be excellent! ;)
All lifts are go! Let's transporting peoples for excite snowy experience.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base 6am: -8℃, light wind, 15cm snowfall. Moiwa 800m: -10.4℃, major snowdrift development from the north. Mikaeri 800m: -13℃, NNW1.0m/s, snow depth 350cm. Annupuri 1100m: -12.6℃, WNW5.1m/s, gusts to 15m/s. Village 1000m: -11.3℃, N7.2m/s, gusts to 15m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -12.1℃, N8.1m/s, gusts to 15m/s. Hanazono 800m: -11.3℃, NNW2.8m/s, gusts to 20m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NNW12m/s, Kamui Cape WNW10m/s, 1018hPa, 2.8m waves.
Over 48 hrs of northerly winds and snow have caused large snowdrifts to form downwind. Winds peaked at 5pm yesterday with 20m/s gusts. At 800m, aeolian snow slabs of over 150cm have formed. Observations and tests indicate that the snow is compacting, bonding and is stabilizing. However, due to the large amount and weight of snow, in some areas there is still a possibility of fractures at deeper layers. The risk of avalanches remains HIGH on steep slopes under cornices. Areas like Higashi One(East Ridge), the North Face, Kozan no Sawa(Back Bowl) and Osawa. Gates 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be closed. Other gates are undecided. Please wait for the patrol’s decision. Never duck ropes.
This is a ski resort. The government does not generally allow off-piste skiing from ski resorts. If accidents continue, more restrictions will result. Niseko respects your freedom to ski off-piste, but at the same time, we ask skiers to be aware of their responsibilities and act accordingly. Avalanches are natural phenomena, accidents only happen when people are involved. There is no safety in this sport. Avoid more than 1 skier on the slope at the same time. Do not remain creek and gully bottoms. Are your beacons on? Beware of sudden changes in the weather. Have a nice day.
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 30cm
Base: 18cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 291cm (+11cm change since yesterday)
Base: 197cm (+7cm 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: 25cm
Base: 25cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 380cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 160cm (+10cm 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: 290cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 200cm (+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: 40cm (same as yesterday or just no update?)
Base: 40cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 250cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 180cm (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 Monday 26th January 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 644cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 55 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 426cm reported on 25 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.