Niseko Now: Wednesday 4th March 2026
- Mar 4
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 827cm
Good morning from Niseko.
It might not be a lot, but I am still happy to be able to report some fresh snowfall this morning. I have measured several cm of it and it is still snowing. May it continue.
Forecast is looking rather promising for snow over the weekend, too.
All lifts are go this morning (though gates not set to open).
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base: -2°C, 2cm low-pressure snowfall since dawn. Moiwa 800m: -2.8°C, ESE 4.0m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -5.5°C, ENE 11.1m/s. Niseko Village 1000m: -4.4°C, NE 5.5m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -5.2°C, N 2.2m/s. Hanazono 800m: -3.5°C, N 1.2m/s. Sea of Japan Benkei Cape ESE 4m/s. Kamui Cape ENE 4m/s, 1021hPa, wave height unknown.
The pressure gradient is strong on the western side above 1000m, bringing strong easterly winds. Wind-slab development is expected on top of the old March 3rd surface, and the weather has entered a stormy cycle. Major summit gates will remain closed to prevent accidents. Follow the instructions of the ski patrol. The lighting is flat and visibility is poor. The snow is also firm; beware of losing control.
An inquiry was received from an emergency medical institution in Tokyo regarding the accident at Hirafu on January 7th. In Hirafu, there have been two past instances where patrols performed CPR while riding on a sled during transport. At Moiwa, patrols once saved an avalanche victim pulled out in a hypothermic state by warming them with their own body heat during transport. Rescue under low temperatures is a race against time. Constant, appropriate judgment is required. There is no such thing as absolute safety in this sport. Only individual caution can prevent accidents. We ask for your cooperation with the Niseko Rules—and for your respect toward the ski patrol.
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 5cm
Base: 3cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 270cm (+3cm change since yesterday)
Base: 170cm (+5cm 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: 345cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 90cm (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: 245cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 150cm (no 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: 270cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (-10cm 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 March 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 827cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 79 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 March 2026 snowfall 4cm reported on 2 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.