Niseko Now: Saturday 7th March 2026
- Mar 7
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 6cm
Snowfall at base this season 846cm
Good morning from Niseko and welcome to the weekend.
It's fairly mild but we have some more fresh snow. I have 6cm to add this morning and it is snowing now as I write this report. Quite nicely, too, actually. I wonder how long it might continue.
This morning we have limited visibility out there in upper areas and some pesky wind conditions too.
Over the next several days forecasts tell us to expect more, and a drop in temps too, so that definitely sounds suitably excite.
I have taken a look at a few longer term forecasts as well as seeing what the Japan Meteorological Agency has to say. From what I have seen, these next several days may well end up being the last chance of some decent snowfall numbers this season.
Top lifts on hold at the start of the day.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Moiwa base 6am: -0℃, low pressure front delivered 10cm new snow. Moiwa 800m: -3.4℃, SSE5.7m/s, wind & snow, poor visibility. Annupuri 1100m: -5.1℃, ESE9.3m/s. Village 1000m: -4.1℃, SSW5.8m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -4.9℃, N14.4m/s, blizzard. Hanazono 800m: -2.7℃, N5.8m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape S15m/s, Kamui Cape ESE6m/s, 1010hPa, wave n/a.
Due to the approaching low pressure there is strong southerly winds at higher elevations. Lifts on the Hirafu side will be closed, and all peak gates are closed. Heavy snowdrifts are expected to accumulate above 700m, and the risk of surface avalanches will rapidly increase this afternoon through tomorrow. Even in forested areas below 700m, the low-pressure snowfall and subsequent wind-driven snow slab formation (slabs, snowdrifts) will make surface avalanches likely. Niseko’s winters are characterized by weak snowstorms with wind speeds of around 10 m/s, which delight us every morning by depositing 15-20-30cm of snow on the mountain. While the avalanche risk from this type of snow is not zero, it is low. However, when wind speeds exceed 18 m/s, dense, unstable wind-driven slabs develop in the leeward valleys, which can cause avalanches. Gate opening and closing is based on observations and data evaluation. Niseko respects the freedom to ski off-piste, but does not encourage it. Outside the gates is not part of the ski resort. Open gates do not guarantee the mountain is safe. Please respect the Niseko Rules.
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The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
The 'change since yesterday' data is manually calculated each morning by me.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day at the time of writing.
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 4cm
Base: 8cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 290cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 180cm (+7cm 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: 10cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 370cm (+10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 110cm (+5cm 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: 10cm
Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 325cm (+55cm change since yesterday)
Base: 140cm (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 Saturday 7th March 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 846cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 82 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 23cm reported on 5 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.