Niseko Now: Tuesday 6th May 2025
- May 6, 2025
- 10 min read
Updated: Apr 13
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 783cm
Good morning from Niseko on this last day of the official ski season.
We have some blue skies and sunshine to celebrate and contemplate.
The three lifts at Annupuri will be able to rest from tomorrow. As will I.
It seems such a long time since Hirafu closed at the end of March...
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A look back at the 2024-2025 Niseko season... and some thoughts
The official snow season ends today, with Niseko Annupuri Ski Resort closing this afternoon. So, after another long season, it is time for me to wrap things up for another year.
First, I'll talk about snowfall. As always, I would like to emphasise some important points.
The snowfall numbers I introduce in my reports are all snowfall measurements I have observed close to the base of the Niseko Grand Tokyu Hirafu ski area. The monthly and annual statistics in these reports are comparable because they are coming to you from the same location and being observed by the same person (me) every day over the last 13 seasons.
While consistent and comparable (and honest), it is important to note that my 'observed snowfall at base' is by no means the whole story of a season. For example, the data does not consider the fact that there is often more snowfall at higher elevations than down at base.
While SnowJapan does not encourage readers to compare the different 'Now' reports from various regions of Japan (for all sorts of good reasons), all report sections do adhere to the same concept and same rules. For example, the snowfall recorded in the Myoko Now reports is observed snowfall from the base of the Myoko ski areas, etc.
I don't live at the top of the mountain, so I (and other reporters) couldn't provide you with consistent upper elevation stats even if I wanted to anyway.
Very importantly, of course, the quantity of snow does not tell us about quality or skiing conditions.
With that all out of the way...
With 1cm of observed snowfall reported in April 2025, the total snowfall I observed for the 2024-2025 season was 783cm, with snow reported on 95 days of the season.
Here's how the season totals compare over the last 13 seasons:
2024/2025 season: 783cm
2023/2024 season: 884cm
2022/2023 season: 1006cm
2021/2022 season: 1137cm
2020/2021 season: 1210cm
2019/2020 season: 728cm
2018/2019 season: 951cm
2017/2018 season: 1260cm
2016/2017 season: 686cm
2015/2016 season: 989cm
2014/2015 season: 1144cm
2013/2014 season: 1163cm
2012/2013 season: 1491cm
The average of all those numbers is about 1033cm. If you don't count the 2024-2025 season, the average of the previous 12 seasons was 1054cm.
From the above data, it is clear that the numbers for 2024-2025 are 'below average'. However, again, that does not give a detailed picture of the season as a whole, and it says nothing about the quality of the snow that we got.
Month by month
November 2024: 38cm, with snowfall reported on 8 days
December 2024: 311cm, with snowfall reported on 28 days
January 2025: 161cm, with snowfall reported on 19 days
February 2025: 196cm, with snowfall reported on 24 days
March 2025: 76cm, with snowfall reported on 15 days
April 2025: 1cm, with snowfall reported on 1 day
December was the standout month of the 2024-2025 season here in Niseko. I observed snowfall on an impressive 28 days in December 2024, and we enjoyed good and consistent snowfall. The period around the middle of the month was particularly excellent. Oh yes. 😊
A lot of snowfall during the early part of any season is always a particularly good thing. It puts any early-season nerves at ease, lets the mountain open up smoothly (in theory, at least), and sets the tone for the season.
People got very excited. Myself included. Some days, I even forgot to eat my toast before heading out. And that's saying something!
Still, not to take anything away from it, and exciting as it certainly was, I don't look at it as 'record-breaking' as some breathless headlines I noticed were making it out to be.
For example, in my reports, I have observed more snowfall in six other Decembers since 2012 than in December 2024. Here they are:
December 2024 (311cm)
December 2022 (336cm)
December 2020 (348cm)
December 2018 (333cm)
December 2017 (406cm)
December 2014 (519cm)
December 2012 (418cm)
Perhaps the fact that over 3m of snowfall is 'below average' for us demonstrates the high standards that we experience and expect here.
Anyway, to look back at the feelings as it was happening at the time, you can find my monthly recap, posted on 1st January 2025.
With the very promising start in December 2024, were we on the verge of a truly 'record-breaking' season?
Well, the snowfall in the first half of January was respectable, if not spectacular. All good. But the momentum really slowed down in the second half of the month. I only got to report 3cm of fresh snowfall (from base) in my reports between 19th and 28th January 2025. For peak season, it was a poor showing.
Happily, the month ended with several days of snowfall, which saved us from more embarrassing numbers.
My monthly recap was posted on 3rd February 2025.
The above report also featured the exciting news of the (very) special early morning lift ticket at Niseko Hanazono. That ticket was valid for just 29 minutes and cost 20,000 yen. (Ten, please!)
February 2025 had fewer days but beat January in terms of snowfall data. My monthly recap was posted on 3rd March 2025.
Then, in March 2025, I observed 76cm of snowfall. The recap was posted on 1st April 2025:
Some final thoughts
Knowing that this last report continues to be the most visible 'latest report' for nearly six months, I have been carefully considering my final thoughts over the last few weeks.
I recommend going back and reading through all the reports to get a full commentary and various random thoughts about the season as it was happening. But if I may be so bold, there are several things I'd like to leave you with before I say goodbye. None of this is new or 'news', but there might be some things for potential visitors to consider.
2024-2025 might have been less-than-average in terms of snowfall numbers, but I think it's important to remember that that means less-than-average… for Niseko. I guess many other destinations in the world would be more than pleased to have had our snowfall.
I got to enjoy some excellent days, particularly in (but not limited to) December. People visiting in the second half of January were unlucky with the lack of fresh snow. I felt for those people, especially the powder seekers amongst them, but hopefully, they still found things to enjoy.
Niseko is unlike (almost every) other ski area destination in Japan
If you are considering coming to Niseko for the first time, be aware that it is unlike any other ski area/resort in Japan (though some are trying to emulate it). And if you are coming for the first time in quite a while, prepare to find somewhere transformed from what you used to know.
In many people's eyes, including those of Japanese people, this destination no longer feels much like Japan at all. If you want an 'authentic Japanese experience', this is not really the place for you. Obviously, there's nothing wrong with that in itself. But if you want a much more overall Japanese feel, there are literally hundreds of other ski areas in Japan to choose from. Many will be less busy, too. Handily, you can find details on all of them on this website.
(Though it has to be noted that few can compete with the quality of our snow when Niseko is on form).
Niseko is posh and expensive - and does not hide it
For the most part, Niseko now effectively ignores the domestic Japanese skier market and is almost exclusively targeted to inbound foreign visitors. As such, it is extremely expensive compared to most other Japanese ski resorts. (Again, a handful of others are going the same way).
If you want to, you can ski in Japan at a fraction of the cost of skiing in Niseko. You might even meet some Japanese people! (*)
Things like the previously mentioned 20,000 yen lift ticket valid for just 29 minutes and the special pop-up shop selling posh bags for expensive bottles of whisky were just a few headline things proudly demonstrating what Niseko is becoming. (Has become?)
That those things exist also probably says much about the kind of people Niseko - the brand - is now trying to appeal to.
If you love exclusive posh stuff and that modern international ski resort vibe, and can afford it (and wish to play along with it), you have found your place. Even if a few infrastructure facilities are yet to catch up!
It will be interesting to see how the yen exchange rates move this year. Niseko prices are difficult for people living in Japan to comprehend and accept. But many visitors from overseas apparently don't feel that as much due to the weak yen of late. That could change if the yen suddenly strengthens.
Despite these things, Niseko continues to be super popular and also very busy. So obviously there are still many people lining up to come here and ‘experience the magic’!
Be aware of social media bombast
Nobody needs little old me to tell them this, but I think it is worth emphasising. When researching, I recommend being wary of headlines and outlandish claims you might see on social media. Regular readers will know that I'm not the biggest fan of that world, not least because I increasingly find lots of content to be insincere, sometimes misleading, and in some cases just dishonest. The hype and the headlines are sometimes quite brazen. Remember, the algorithms of creators encourage regular attention-grabbing headlines, so it's superlatives all the way.
Sometimes, people get freebies and/or are paid for the publicity they generate. SnowJapan is regularly approached by people, often calling themselves 'influencers', who offer guaranteed positive publicity about 'your ski resort / hotel / etc' in return for freebies. (They don't even do basic research to know that SnowJapan is not a 'ski resort / hotel / etc'!). Just think about that for a moment.
I shared a few more thoughts on that kind of thing on 29th December.
The above does not only apply to Niseko coverage, and I am most definitely not saying that everything is tainted. I hope that more intelligent readers (like you!) will be good at filtering out the obvious stuff.
Being nice
Lastly and perhaps a good thought to end on, one day I talked about just being nice (14th January).
In the end, you may not agree with some of my opinions throughout the season, but you can be sure that whatever I write, I come from a place of honesty and love.
As a long-term resident of the region, there are clearly some changes in recent years that I do not like, and I do have some concerns shared by others.
But having said that, I still love it. I wouldn't be devoting so much time every morning for six months of the year writing these reports if I didn't!
I hope I still feel that way next year, in two years, in five years...
Thanks for your support
Sometimes, people ask what they can do to help and support SnowJapan.
Passing along large brown unmarked envelopes stuffed with wads of cash is always encouraged and will get you favourable coverage (**), but, seriously, simply letting others know about these reports and the SnowJapan site, in general, is also a big help. I/we thank you for that support.
SnowJapan is genuinely 100% independent and is not doing any of this on behalf of anyone. It is not trying to persuade you to come to Niseko or anywhere else in Japan, or trying to sell you anything. In fact, it's not trying to get you to do anything at all. We're just telling you about it.
I can tell you, writing these reports with a feeling of freedom from not being beholden to anyone or having obligations to fulfil is really cool. It might be a (very!) time-consuming commitment, and I absolutely feel a sense of responsibility, but just telling the truth makes it easy. And I genuinely believe that you, the reader, benefits from that.
I've said it before, I truly believe that is one of the things that makes SnowJapan a truly unique project.
If you wish to get in touch, you can do so here. I am aware that many people read the reports daily, but it is always nice to get some actual feedback. You can even tell me I'm rubbish or say derogatory things about toast, too, if you feel the need! Please note that I can't reply to individual messages but will eventually read them all. Thank you in advance.
Finally
That's all from me for the 2024-2025 winter season.
I hope you enjoyed the reports and found them to be helpful in some way and interesting.
It has been a pleasure.
It is now time for me to have my fill of toast and prepare for a prolonged summer hibernation. (I'm particularly excited about not having to check official websites and their social media every morning for six months. Yey! That is the only part of doing this that I dislike).
I plan to return in November, when I should be ready to get going with my commentary on the 2025-2026 Niseko winter season.
It's only 6 months away!
But for now, thank you, take care and peace to all.
* Half joke
Niseko Now 2024-2025 season |
Data as of Tuesday 6th May 2025 Total snowfall at base so far 783cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 95 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (6th February) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 311cm reported on 28 days January 2025 snowfall 161cm reported on 19 days February 2025 snowfall 196cm reported on 24 days March 2025 snowfall 76cm reported on 15 days April 2025 snowfall 1cm reported on 1 day May 2025 snowfall 0cm |
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.