Niseko Now: Sunday 4th January 2026
- Jan 4
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 6cm
Snowfall at base this season 277cm
Good morning from Niseko.
I have 6cm of fresh snow to report this morning and it is snowing as I put this report together.
It's a bit windy out there too blowing the freshly fallen snow around and limiting visibility.
The wind is affecting some lifts at the start of the day. As of 8:30am opening, the Annupuri Gondola and top lift at that ski area is on hold and the Niseko Gondola at Niseko Village is operating at reduced speed. Other lifts seem to be opening as planned.
Forecasts still showing a good-looking (meaning regular snow) settled winter pattern. Looks like for the moment wind might be the biggest thing to worry about.
For the Asahigaoka fans out there, that small ski area near Kutchan Station opened on Friday. A 1-day ticket at that ski area costs 1,500 yen for adults and 800 yen for children. The season ticket is 14,000 yen. Gnarly!
------------------------------------
Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base -7℃, moderate winds, 5cm new snow, good visibility. Moiwa 800: -9.9℃, WNW9.0m/s(20m/s @ 4am), snowdrift development. Annupuri 1100m: -12℃, W5.5m/s. Village1000m: -10.8℃, WNW2.8m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -11.1℃, N2.6m/s, 10cm new snow. Hanazono 800m: -9.1℃, ENE2.7m/s. Coastal Data: Benkei Cape NW15m/s(20m/s @ 4am), Kamui Cape WSW12m/s, wave 2.2m.
Winds peaked at 4am and have dropped to below 15m/s since. Only light snow overnight, but it has reset above 700m. At 1000m there was rapid cornice and snowdrift development, expect fractures at 50cm. On the west wall of Kozen no Sawa(BackBowl) cornices are prone to break and cause small avalanches . Avoid skiing this area first thing in the morning. Avalanches are dangerous, regardless of size. Do not ski under cornices or cut knolls. This could easily trigger an avalanche. Do not wait around in the valley bottom. Avalanches come from above and follow the valleys down. Lower slopes are still heavily covered in bushes, limiting available lines and exits. Watch out for collisions. Yesterday, over 1000 people skied outside the gates, but no accidents were reported. We thank everyone for following the rules. The gates are scheduled to open. Follow patrol instructions. Outside the gates is not part of the ski resort. Niseko allows off-piste skiing but is also concerned about the safety of its visitors. Overconfidence leads to accidents. This sport is dangerous. Always be vigilant. Guides and leaders have a great responsibility. Is your beacon on? Have a nice day.
------------------------------------
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: 175cm (-3cm change since yesterday)
Base: 105cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
4 of 4 lifts
Gondola until 7:00pm
------------------
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: 240cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 80cm (+5cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
8 of 9 lifts (not Ace 4)
Ace Gondola, Ace Family quad, King Gondola and King Holiday pair until 7:00pm
Planned open courses:
Courses yet to open are Konayuki and Miharashi
------------------
Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 160cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 80cm (no change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
7 of 8 lifts
Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair until 7:00pm
------------------
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 8cm
Base: 8cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 150cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 120cm (+20cm change since yesterday)
Planned lift operations:
5 of 6 lifts
Jumbo Number 1 quad until 7:30pm
------------------
Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Planned lift operations:
3 of 3 lifts
Niseko Now2025-2026 season |
Data as of Sunday 4th January 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 277cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 34 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (on 12th December and 2nd January) November 2025 snowfall 29cm reported on 7 days December 2025 snowfall 189cm reported on 23 days January 2026 snowfall 59cm 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.