Niseko Now: Monday 29th December 2025
- Dec 29, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 13
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 211cm
I can report 1cm this morning. But it's an 'and counting' kind of situation, as it is snowing quite nicely now.
I note Annupuri appears to be reporting 10cm over there.
Anyway, I hope that the taps will be turned on a bit more forcefully over the next few days. While this morning doesn't feel cold, it does look like it should be getting noticeably colder starting from tomorrow.
There's some really low visibility out there in places now. Some of the very bright orange people over at Hanazono might be visible easily enough, but otherwise take extra care out there. With a lot of people around, it's easy to bump into folk. That often doesn't end well.
All scheduled lifts are moving as normal.
Someone asked about when will top lifts and gates open. I really don't know. I'm don't hear the inside discussions on those things and am in no way related to any of the people/businesses making those decisions. I'm guessing we need more snow for it to happen.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base: -1℃, no snowfall, calm. Moiwa 800m: -3℃, ESE3.0m/s. Mikaeri 800m: -6℃, SE1.6m/s, snowing. Annupuri 1100m: -5.4℃, S3.5m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -4.9℃, N8.9m/s, snowing. Hanazono 800m: -3.3℃, 3.2m/s. Sea of Japan Benkei cape: S6m/s, Kamui cape S9.6m/s, 1015hPa, 1.3 waves.
Warm air is flowing in ahead of the low-pressure system. With no significant snow clouds, wind slabs have stabilized. Based on observations and data evaluation, the overall avalanche risk is currently low.
Please be advised that out-of-bounds skiing from the resort and climbing to the summit are not yet permitted. Within the resort area, all users are obligated to follow the Resort Regulations and the Niseko Rules. This mountain brings together a diverse range of people; these rules are implemented to ensure the safety of every individual. If one person ducks a rope, others will follow. Do not attempt to climb to the peak from the resort, and do not enter strictly prohibited areas such as Yu-no-Sawa. Rope-ducking is taken very seriously here; if caught, your lift pass will be confiscated.
On the mountain today, the groomed runs are in good condition. However, visibility is flat due to low light, making it difficult to see bumps and contours—please ski with caution. The resort is crowded, so please be considerate of those around you. Winds are expected to pick up as the front approaches. Stay alert for weather changes.
It’s still a good day to be out. Have a great day!
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 2cm
Base: 1cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 130cm (-8cm change since yesterday)
Base: 74cm (-6cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
4 of 4 lifts
Gondola until 7:00pm
Planned open courses:
All main runs apart from Legend of Shinya
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Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 5cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 210cm (+30cm change since two days ago)
Base: 45cm (+15cm change since two days ago)
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:
Most runs apart from the top are now open
Courses yet to open are Furiko, Large, Konayuki, Miharashi and Dynamic
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 120cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 55cm (+10cm 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: 10cm
Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 120cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 70cm (+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 Monday 29th December 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 211cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 28 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (on 12th December) November 2025 snowfall 29cm reported on 7 days December 2025 snowfall 182cm reported on 21 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.