Niseko Now: Friday 27th February 2026
- Feb 27
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 823cm
Today was going to have to be very early or very late... so here we are, pre-toast.
As such I don't have a whole lot to report. What I can say is there's no new cm of snow and a largely cloudy start with what looks like limited visibility higher up. Generally cloudy skies are forecast. Currently just under 0C.
Doing this very early report confirms to me the good logic of aiming to post just after 8:30am most days.
Update: data updated below and... top lifts on hold.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base 6am: -0.5℃, light wind, light snowfall. Moiwa 800m: -2.7℃, ESE2.0m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -4.2℃, SSE1.1m/s. Village 1000m: -3.3℃, SSW2.9m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -3.7℃, N5.5m/s. Hanazono 800m: -2.0℃, N2.8m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape S6m/s, Kamui Cape E2m/s, 1024hPa, wave 0.6.
The isobars are wide, calm at sea and on the mountains. Only light snowfall and fog above 700m. Also there is no significant cornice or snowdrift development. Observations and data indicate a low general avalanche risk. Gate opening will be determined when visibility improves. Please follow patrol instructions. Due to the increasing number of visitors to Niseko in recent years, gate opening and closing must be done carefully. The risk of full-depth avalanches in the spring is increasing. Do not wait in the valley bottom, this is an avalanche path. Also, do not pass through the lower part of Yunosawa restricted area on your way back to your lodging. If this becomes a regular occurrence, accidents will occur again. Be careful of collisions, falls into cracks, and getting lost.
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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: 280cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 175cm (no 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: 0cm
Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 355cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 95cm (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: 274cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 165cm (-1cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
8 of 8 lifts
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: 0cm
Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 280cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 160cm (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 Friday 27th February 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 823cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 77 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 |
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.