Niseko Now: Wednesday 4th February 2026
- Feb 4
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 4cm
Snowfall at base this season 718cm
A little new snowfall since yesterday and mid-morning we have cloud of the rather dark type in places and some blue sky to see in some directions too. A bit of sun currently over at Hanazono.
It feels a milder this morning and might get into low positive (C) numbers during the day.
Much colder conditions again and another good fresh delivery of snow is due from Friday onwards, according to most forecasts.
All lifts are go!
(Well, apart from that lazy Country Road one at Niseko Village).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa Base: -2°C, 10cm new snow from the low-pressure, calm. Moiwa 800m: -4.8°C, 15cm new snow has reset the surface. Annupuri 1100m: -6.8°C, WNW 6.7m/s (W15m/s at 2:00 AM). Niseko Village 1000m: -5.5°C, W 4.0m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -6.4°C, N 3.5m/s. Hanazono 800m: -3.2°C, SW 4.4m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape WNW 12m/s (NW 18m/s at 4:00 AM). Kamui Cape: SW 13m/s, 1014hPa, Wave height 1.8m.
Warm air is flowing in ahead of the low-pressure system, bringing 15cm of new snow to the western side of the mountain range. Above 800m, pre-dawn high winds have caused the snow to form soft slabs, resetting the surface. No significant risks were noticed during the morning observations and gates are expected to open. Follow the instructions of the ski patrol. Do not enter the Ambetsu strictly prohibited area by crossing past Gate 6. As long as there are people who ignore the rules, Gate 10 will not be reinstated. This current low-pressure snowfall will become a failure layer under the wind-affected snowdrift slabs brought by the next storm. Pay close attention to the snowfall transition. The snow is shallow but still good. Poor visibility, stay alert for sudden weather changes. On open steep slopes, shallow avalanches characteristic of low-pressure snowfall—powdery like flour—can easily occur. Do not stay put at the bottom of the gullies. Is your beacon on? Are you feeling 100%? No hangovers? Have a great day.
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 5cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 295cm (-10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 203cm (-12cm 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: 5cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 370cm (-15cm change since yesterday)
Base: 150cm (-15cm 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: 286cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 190cm (-5cm 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: 10cm
Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 290cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 200cm (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 Wednesday 4th February 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 718cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 62 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 49cm reported on 4 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.