Niseko Now: Thursday 29th January 2026
- Jan 29
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 668cm
It is a beautiful morning with clear blue sky and sunshine, and just some limited friendly-looking little cloud in places.
I do not have any cm of snowfall to report, other than the 5cm that Hanazono reports at top.
But that doesn't seem to matter on a morning like this (especially after all the recent snowfall).
There is more snow on the way, but it might be later tomorrow before it starts up again.
And that is all I have this morning! I wish you a fine day.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base at 6am: -10℃, light wind, no snowfall. Moiwa 800m: data n/a, no snowfall, calm. Annupuri 1100m: -12.0℃, N2.7m/s. Village 1000m: -10.6℃, NNE3.3m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -11.3℃, N3.3m/s, no snowfall, calm. Hanazono 800m: -9.1℃, NW1.9m/s. Sea of Japan Benkei cape S3m/s, Kamui cape E5m/s, 1014hPa, 1.5m waves.
We are in a low-pressure zone, with a wide atmospheric gradient, and both the sea and the mountains are calm, with no snowfall. Based on tests, data evaluation, and risk trend analysis, the overall avalanche risk is low. All peak gates will open. Listen to the patrol’s advice and prepare before leaving the gates. Do not duck ropes and ride strictly off-limits areas to seek snow. Do not enter the recently restricted Anbetsu area by following map apps.
Niseko Avalanche Information assesses avalanche risk based on weather changes and snowfall trends, providing updates every morning. This approach fundamentally differs from the widely used method that relies solely on weak-layer theory. While it is a scientific truth that surface avalanches originate from weak points within the snowpack, here we primarily predict slope and elevation-specific hazards based on the development and progression of snowdrifts created by blizzards, aiding in accident prevention.
The groomers are in perfect condition today. Visibility is good in the morning, but beware of sudden weather changes. Tomorrow’s information will be suspended for maintenance. Have a good day.
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 5cm
Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 280cm (-10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 175cm (-25cm 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 (-15cm change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (-35cm 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: 288cm (-7cm change since yesterday)
Base: 180cm (-15cm 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: 0cm
Base: 0cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 260cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 210cm (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 Thursday 29th January 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 668cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 57 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 450cm reported on 27 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.