Niseko Now: Saturday 27th December 2025
- Dec 27, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 13
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 16cm
Snowfall at base this season 194cm
Good morning from Niseko and I am very happy to be able to bring some excite news.
Yesterday morning we had a brief spell when snow eased off and it was quite bright - where I was anyway - and then the snow moved in again and it was falling beautifully at times.
But it got really windy too and lots of lifts were affected, confining everyone to lower runs.
This morning I have 16cm of lovely fresh snow to report to you and cold temperatures. I find it interesting how my observation is actually more than what Hirafu and Hanazono are reporting (even from upper areas). Perhaps that is explained by the windy conditions and the light snow being blown around. It's one of those days when there's more or less depending on where you are. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a fair bit more than that in places.
Geeking over numbers aside, there's a good layer to share around and the snow is really nice quality too.
It seems like it's going to be less windy this morning, but wind might still be an issue through the day. As of 8:30am, lifts appear to be opening as scheduled.
It is still snowing here but seems to be easing off in places - there's even a bit of blue sky appearing at Annupuri. May be temporary.
I hope it's not too early to say something like this and not just me wishing it, but it feels more like the Niseko we love. The mountain is still not all open and we need more snow, but I hope we might have reached a turning point and can now get stuck into full-on winter.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base 6am: -12℃, 20cm new snow and minor snowdrift development. Mowia 800m: -15℃, WNW5.1m/s, cornice and snowdrift development. Mikaeri 800m: -14℃, WNW6.3m/s, increased snowfall. Annupuri 1100m: -17.6℃, WNW6.4m/s. Annupuri 1160m:, WNW5.9m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -17.3℃, N1.8m/s, increased snowfall. Hanazono 800m: -14.3℃, N3.2m/s. Coastal Data: Benkei Cape NW17m/s, Kamui Cape W13m/s, 1011hPa, 3.2m waves.
A typical winter pressure pattern resulted in a blizzard which peaked at 2:00 AM, after which the isobars widened. Winds and snow continued, with an average wind speed of 15 m/s at 1000m. However if the isobars narrow again, expect wind and snow to strengthen. From observation, snowfall trends, and data, it appears that snowdrifts (wind-driven snow slabs) are stabilizing and the avalanche risk is beginning to decrease. However, we need to wait until the wind dies down and the slabs are able to consolidate and stabilise before disturbing them. The snow is excellent, but it is still thin. Be careful of hitting trees along the trails. You can’t beat trees. Patrol is worried about injuries. The slopes are starting to look good. There are a lot of people, so please ski safely. There is no safety in this sport. Please be considerate of others and ski safely. Cutting in line on the lifts calls into question your dignity. Please respect ski resort regulations and the Niseko Rules. It will be a while before the gates are able open. Please listen to the patrol’s advice. It’s cold today. Be careful of frostbite. Have a nice day.
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 10cm
Base: 15cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 130cm (+15cm change since yesterday)
Base: 70cm (+20cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
4 of 4 lifts
Gondola until 7:00pm
Planned open courses:
All main runs apart from Setsuzoku, Legend of Shinya (and Hanazono Park)
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Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 10cm
Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 180cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 30cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
7 of 9 lifts
Ace Gondola
Ace Family quad (until 7:00pm)
Ace Number 3 pair
King Gondola
King Holiday pair
King Number 3 six
Swinging Monkey
Planned open courses:
Family
Sennoki
Super
Beginners access
Green
Shirakaba
Center
Kogen
Dai-ni no kabe
Kokutai
Holiday
Rinkan
Jumbo
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 106cm (+11cm change since yesterday)
Base: 45cm (+20cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
6 of 8 lifts
Niseko Gondola
Upper Village Gondola (until 7:00pm)
Village Express (until 7:00pm)
Community Chair
Banzai Chair (until 7:00pm)
Morino Chair
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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: 110cm (+20cm change since yesterday)
Base: 55cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
5 of 6 lifts
Annupuri gondola
Dream Number 1 quad (until 7:00pm)
Jumbo Number 1 quad
Jumbo Number 2 pair
Jumbo Number 3 pair
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Planned lift operations:
3 of 3 lifts
Niseko Now2025-2026 season |
Data as of Saturday 27th December 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 194cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 26 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (on 12th December) November 2025 snowfall 29cm reported on 7 days December 2025 snowfall 165cm reported on 19 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.