Independent snow and weather reporting from the Furano region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 2cm Snowfall at base this season 396cm Posted on Saturday 17th January 2026 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . Good morning skiers & boarders, A glorious blue sky day in Furano! It's just beautiful out there. A dusting of snow overnight. Only a light wind. Nice and cold, so snow is good. It's awesome out there. No storms forecast for the foreseeable future, so enjoy the sunny day. Lift note: Weekend hours apply for night skiing, so you can slide up to 7:30 PM tonight. Think snow. --- Furano Zone: All lifts open. Lift A: 8:30--3:30 Lift B: 9:00--3:30 Lift C: 8:30--7:30 Lift D: 8:40--3:30 Lift E: 9:30-3:30 Snow Escalator:9-12:30 & 1:30-3:30 Kitanomine Zone: Lift F: 8:30--7:30 Lift G: 8:45--3:30 Lift H: 9:00--3:30 Lift K (Gondola): 9:00--3:30 Kitanomine snow escalator: 9-12, 1-3:30 Furano Now 2025-2026 season Data as of Saturday 17th January 2026 Total snowfall at base 396cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 41 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (6th December) November 2025 snowfall 45cm reported on 5 days December 2025 snowfall 234cm reported on 22 days January 2026 snowfall 117cm reported on 14 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Furano. 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Shiga Kogen region of Nagano New snowfall at base 5cm Snowfall at base this season 348cm Posted on Friday 16th January 2026 This is an archived report. The latest Shiga Kogen Now report can be found here . Good morning. Lower areas have had some rain but up here in Shiga Kogen we have had a bit of snow. It's definitely on the mild side. For us in mid-winter, anyway. Clear skies are forecast for tomorrow morning but there might be some fresh snow before Sunday morning, though I wouldn't expect anything major. A mid-winter cold front is due to be over the region from around Tuesday next week. Perhaps we can expect some good snowfall then. Shiga Kogen Now 2025-2026 season Data as of Friday 16th January 2026 Total snowfall at base 348cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 33 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 27th December) November 2025 snowfall 43cm reported on 8 days December 2025 snowfall 161cm reported on 13 days January 2026 snowfall 144cm reported on 12 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Shiga Kogen. 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Geto Kogen region of Iwate New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 799cm Posted on Friday 16th January 2026 This is an archived report. The latest Geto Kogen Now report can be found here . We did have snow falling yesterday but it was the kind that didn't amount to much (in terms of cm). Light snow is falling now. It might built up a bit more today and tomorrow. It is relatively mild at the moment. A cold front with some heavy snow is lined up in the first part of the new week. -------------------------- Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): 265cm (top) 200cm (base) Cumulative snowfall this season (reported by the ski area): 1082cm Planned lift operations (reported by the ski area): All lifts scheduled to open during peak season The Number 2 gondola operates on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays Courses (reported by the ski area): All main runs now open Tree run courses scheduled to be open: Heart, Shooter, Alta, Garden, Rabbit Geto Kogen Now 2025-2026 season Data as of Friday 16th January 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 799cm Number of days snowfall observed 39 days Most snowfall observed on 1 day 77cm (on 5th December) November 2025 snowfall 54cm observed on 5 days December 2025 snowfall 306cm observed on 18 days January 2026 snowfall 439cm observed on 16 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Geto Kogen. 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 477cm Posted on Friday 16th January 2026 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . Heavy rain woke me up early this morning; luckily that stopped and we’re almost getting some sun now, but the damage is done. Icy conditions, loss of snow, really weird conditions (be careful when going off-piste, partly because of all the small trees you’ll be hitting, partly because there could be some potentially dangerous conditions). Even snowshoeing yesterday was a lot of weaving through small trees and brush. Time for a good snow dance! --- Akakura Kanko: 180cm, 0° Champion B course closed for a race Akakura Onsen: 205cm, 0° Alpen Blick Resort 150cm, -5° (yesterday’s report) Myoko Suginohara: 120cm top, 75cm base; -4° Kyukamura RunRun: 220cm, 0° (yesterday’s report) Seki Onsen: 350cm, -1° Tangram Madarao Tokyu Resort: 75cm, 0° Madarao Mountain Resort: 130cm, no temp. info Lotte Arai Resort: 282cm, 8.5° Avalanche conditions are not good, so some free-ride areas will be closed Kurohime Kogen Snow Park: 130cm top, 50cm base; 2° Myoko Now 2025-2026 season Data as of Friday 16th January 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 477cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 24 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 64cm (on 9th January) November 2025 snowfall 35cm reported on 1 day December 2025 snowfall 184cm reported on 11 days January 2026 snowfall 258cm reported on 12 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Myoko. 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Nozawa Onsen region of Nagano New snowfall at base 0cm Snowfall at base this season 325cm Posted on Friday 16th January 2026 This is an archived report. The latest Nozawa Now report can be found here . A big bank of cloud covering the mountain this morning and the ski area is actually reporting up to 5cm up in the top area. None below where it has been... how should I say it... damp. Thankfully not raining now. It is a (relatively, of course) mild morning, currently just over 2C. Very limited visibility on the mountain at the start of the day but it appears that the lifts should be opening as scheduled. For those visiting over the weekend, it's probably going to start with some clearer skies with the chance of snow overnight. I'm really liking the look of Tuesday/Wednesday next week, though. Proper cold and proper heavy snow. Naski will be pleased. That's one vegetable that loves deep fresh. ---------------------------- Fresh snowfall since yesterday afternoon (reported by the ski area): Yamabiko: 5cm Uenotaira: 4cm Hikage: -cm Nagasaka: -cm Karasawa: -cm Official snow depth numbers (reported by the ski area): Yamabiko: 190cm Uenotaira: 145cm Hikage: 90cm Nagasaka: 85cm Karasawa: 70cm Scheduled lift operations: All operating except Utopia pair and Challenge pair Courses that are not available (when the ski area is operating as normal): Mukobayashi Hachiman Information on the ski area: Nozawa Onsen Nozawa Now 2025-2026 season Data as of Friday 16th January 2026 Total snowfall at base 325cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 23 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 50cm (on 27th December) November 2025 snowfall 15cm reported on 1 day December 2025 snowfall 134cm reported on 11 days January 2026 snowfall 176cm reported on 11 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Nozawa Onsen. 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 1cm Snowfall at base this season 456cm Good morning from Niseko. Just over 1cm of snow to add this morning but I think the more important news is that wind has eased off and top lifts are scheduled to open as planned at the start of the day. My report was late yesterday, but I added some numbers in there that might be interest to snowfall data watchers. You can find the report here if you missed it. I know many of you probably do anyway, but please be sure to check the Avalanche Report below. I haven't mentioned recent accidents on the mountain in my reports as I can't really add anything of value. Of course, my thoughts are with the family and friends of people involved. Sombre incidents like this make you take a moment and re-assess everything. Or they probably should, anyway. Take care out there, everyone. ------------------------------------ Niseko Avalanche Report Moiwa base 6am: -5℃, no new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: -7.9℃, trace new snow, other data n/a. Annupuri 1100m: -10.4℃, WNW6.6m/s, trace new snow. Village 1000m: -9.3℃, W4.8m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -10.2℃, ESE2.6m/s. Hanazono 800m: -6.7℃, ENE3.7m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape NW13m/s, Kamui Cape SW12m/s, 1006hPa, 1.5m waves. A temporary relaxation of the atmospheric pressure gradient has reduced wind speed and wave height at sea and on the mountain. Snowdrift development has subsided, and the general avalanche risk has decreased. Gates will open as soon as preparations are complete. However Moiwa will remain closed. Check with patrol and prepare before heading out the gates. The area outside is not part of the ski resort. Annupuri gate 8 will open today. Avoid the cornice slope on the other side of the valley, ride the fall line and start the exit traverse before the creek at the bottom. Be careful not to fall into the creek by staying out of the valley bottom. The dangers of the mine stream on the southeast face of the summit are unpredictable. Do not take beginners there carelessly. Ski along the fall line, not traverse the upper slope. Stay out of the valley. The dangers of the SE face of the peak in upper BackBowl are unpredictable. Do not carelessly take beginners there. Ride the fall line, never traverse the upper slope. Stay out of the valley. The entire Anbetsu River will temporarily be designated a completely off-limits zone under Niseko rules. Skiing there has been permitted for over 15 years, but accidents continue to occur. Going forward, all access from Moiwa Ski Resort and other resorts will be prohibited. Do not try to find loopholes. A single track can lead to an accident. Niseko respects the freedom to ski out of bounds. But at the same time, we are constantly concerned about mountain accidents due to low temperatures. There is no safety in this sport. Overconfidence leads to accidents, and caution prevents them. Yesterday, Hirafu and Village patrols conducted rescue operations in the strictly off-limit area Haru no Taki. Respect the rules. ------------------------------------ Niseko HANAZONO Resort Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area): Peak: 0cm Base: 3cm Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): Peak: 220cm (-5cm change since yesterday) Base: 160cm (-15cm 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: 0cm Base: 0cm Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): Peak: 295cm (-15cm change since yesterday) Base: 105cm (-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 ------------------ Niseko Village Ski Resort Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): Peak: 236cm (no change since yesterday) Base: 132cm (no change since yesterday) Planned lift operations: 7 of 8 lifts (not Country Road) Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair until 7:00pm ------------------ 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: 200cm (no change since yesterday) Base: 130cm (no change since yesterday) Planned lift operations: 6 of 6 lifts Jumbo Number 1 quad until 7:30pm ------------------ Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort Planned lift operations: 3 of 3 lifts Niseko Now 2025-2026 season Data as of Friday 16th January 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 456cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 45 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 238cm reported on 15 days Previous report Next report 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Shiga Kogen region of Nagano New snowfall at base 2cm Snowfall at base this season 343cm Posted on Thursday 15th January 2026 This is an archived report. The latest Shiga Kogen Now report can be found here . It is still fairly windy and today is forecast to be getting quite mild during the daytime. The local forecast said think more March than January. Milder conditions might persist for a few days with the next really cold conditions due around 20th. Having said that we might get some fresh snow overnight into tomorrow. --------------------- Official snow depths: Ichinose Family Official snow depth 100cm Kumanoyu Official snow depth 100cm Takamagahara Mammoth Official snow depth 100cm Okushiga Kogen Official snow depth: 90cm Shibutoge Official snow depth 123cm Yakebitaiyama Official snow depth: 100cm Yokoteyama Official snow depth 70cm Shiga Kogen Now 2025-2026 season Data as of Thursday 15th January 2026 Total snowfall at base 343cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 32 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 27th December) November 2025 snowfall 43cm reported on 8 days December 2025 snowfall 161cm reported on 13 days January 2026 snowfall 139cm reported on 11 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Shiga Kogen. 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Geto Kogen region of Iwate New snowfall at base 36cm Snowfall at base this season 798cm Posted on Thursday 15th January 2026 This is an archived report. The latest Geto Kogen Now report can be found here . Good morning from Geto Kogen. It continues! It being snow and wind. My ski area friend this morning says they have recorded 61cm of snow at the top, and there's been nearly 40cm again lower down here. We're probably looking at milder conditions from later on. Hopefully, the precipitation will continue to be 'snow'! -------------------------- Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): 285cm (top) 225cm (base) Cumulative snowfall this season (reported by the ski area): 1081cm Planned lift operations (reported by the ski area): All lifts scheduled to open during peak season The Number 2 gondola operates on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays Courses (reported by the ski area): All main runs now open Tree run courses scheduled to be open: Heart, Shooter, Alta, Garden, Rabbit Geto Kogen Now 2025-2026 season Data as of Thursday 15th January 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 798cm Number of days snowfall observed 38 days Most snowfall observed on 1 day 77cm (on 5th December) November 2025 snowfall 54cm observed on 5 days December 2025 snowfall 306cm observed on 18 days January 2026 snowfall 438cm observed on 15 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Geto Kogen. 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Myoko region of Niigata New snowfall at base 4cm Snowfall at base this season 477cm Posted on Thursday 15th January 2026 This is an archived report. The latest Myoko Now report can be found here . Just a little more snow since yesterday; we still have some breezes this morning, although now from the west (less from the south). Even so, it still looks like a possibility of rain this afternoon, then some snow, then we wait for what looks really good around the 20th. --- Akakura Kanko: 190cm, -4° Champion B course closed for a race Akakura Onsen: 205cm, -5° Alpen Blick Resort 150cm, -1° (no new report since the 13th) Myoko Suginohara: 120cm top, 80cm base; -6° Kyukamura RunRun: 220cm, 0° Seki Onsen: 360cm, -5° Tangram Madarao Tokyu Resort: 87cm, -5° Madarao Mountain Resort: 140cm, -2° Lotte Arai Resort: 298cm, 3.3° Potential closing of the open areas due to snow conditions Kurohime Kogen Snow Park: 130cm top, 50cm base; -2° Myoko Now 2025-2026 season Data as of Thursday 15th January 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 477cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 24 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 64cm (on 9th January) November 2025 snowfall 35cm reported on 1 day December 2025 snowfall 184cm reported on 11 days January 2026 snowfall 258cm reported on 12 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Myoko. 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata New snowfall at base 3cm Snowfall at base this season 227cm Posted on Thursday 15th January 2026 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here . Quick one this morning. Light snow falling and relatively moderate conditions. Tomorrow should be colder. --------------- Zao Onsen Ski lifts: All scheduled to be operating apart from Yokokura Number 2 Ski runs: All of the main areas are open with just a few restrictions Official snow depth (reported by ski area): Yokokura area: 70cm Uwanodai area: 70cm Utopia area: 140cm Chuo area: 80cm Paradise area: 80cm Summit area: 100cm More information about the ski area: Zao Onsen Zao Now 2025-2026 season Data as of Thursday 15th January 2026 Total snowfall at base 227cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 33 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (on 12th January) November 2025 snowfall 5cm observed on 2 days December 2025 snowfall 120cm observed on 18 days January 2026 snowfall 102cm observed on 13 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Zao Onsen. 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 14cm Snowfall at base this season 455cm Good morning from Niseko. The earlier snow has eased off and there's a bit of sunshine (sort of) now in places. Wind is still persisting and top lifts across the mountain are not moving this morning. Oh yes, and I must mention the 14cm of fresh snow. And on that note, I thought I'd put together another mid-month look back thingy to see how the season is shaping up. Here's how much snowfall I have observed by - and including - the report on 15th December in each seasons since 2012. Sorted with the season with the most at top. 2012-2013 season: 787cm 2014-2015 season: 712cm 2013-2014 season: 701cm 2017-2018 season: 685cm 2020-2021 season: 663cm 2021-2022 season: 595cm 2023-2024 season: 585cm 2018-2019 season: 536cm 2015-2016 season: 484cm 2022-2023 season: 478cm 2025-2026 season: 455cm 2024-2025 season: 446cm 2019-2020 season: 393cm 2016-2017 season: 355cm 237cm of snow so far in January, taking the season snowfall total up to 455cm. I have now observed more snowfall than I had at this point last season (and two others). It has been great to get that consistency going, too, with only one report in January when I was not able to report any fresh snow. There are a lot of people around. Check out the images below from 10:30am. I'm guessing many of those people waiting to get on a lift are aware that there are many other ski areas in Japan that are much less crowded and much cheaper than Niseko. Still, they make the choice to come to Niseko. (Haro to you all and welcome). My point in saying that is not to suggest that they are silly. It demonstrates how the allure of Niseko is not fading. Rather, with so many people around and runs getting tracked out relatively quickly each day, consistency and regular fresh snow is perhaps even more important here than it is at many other ski areas. And the last few weeks we have thankfully enjoyed consistency. After that rather lethargic start to the season, I'm so happy to see the snowfall numbers looking more respectable now. Let's hope it continues and this season can get higher up in the above 'rankings'. (Less wind though, please!) ------------------------------------ Niseko Avalanche Report Moiwa base: -7℃, 30cm snowfall. Moiwa 800: -11.2℃, strong westerly wind, poor visibility, large snowdrift development. Annupuri 1100m: -13.7℃, WNW11.2m/s, large cornice and snowdrift development. Village 1000m: -12.2℃, W7.1m/s. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -13.3℃, N4.9m/s, heavy snowfall. Hanazono 800m: -11.0℃, NNW8.5m/s. Sea of Japan Benkei cape NW17m/s, Kamui cape WSW16m/s, 1016hPa, 3.0m waves. Under a strong winter-type pressure pattern, westerly storms have caused large snowdrifts to develop on leeward slopes above 800m elevation. Observations and tests indicate these snowdrifts can rupture instantly. Avalanche risk is extremely high on open leeward slopes above the tree line. The top chair lift operation is undetermined. It is advisable to stay on the ski courses today. Due to the Anbetsu accident, the Moiwa Quad Lift will remain closed until the cause is determined and a future policy is decided. Anbetsu was previously designated a hazardous area, but people continued entering even after Gate 10 was closed, ultimately leading to the accident. Therefore, preparations are underway to designate the area as a Niseko Rule strictly off-limits zone. We respect skiers’ freedom. That’s why we installed gates and permitted skiing out-of-bounds areas despite national policy. The Niseko Rules achieved some success, reducing avalanche accidents in those areas. However, incidents like getting lost and becoming stranded increased. There are limits to ski resort safety measures in harsh winter conditions. Especially for out-of-bounds skiing safety, further strengthening of resort measures is essential, alongside raising skiers’ awareness. We express our deepest respect for the search efforts conducted by the Moiwa Patrol on the day before yesterday’s severe weather and by the Hokkaido Police and Fire Department search teams amid yesterday’s avalanche danger. We offer our profound condolences to the victim. ------------------------------------ Niseko HANAZONO Resort Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area): Peak: 0cm ? Base: 30cm ! Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): Peak: 225cm (-15cm change since yesterday) Base: 175cm (+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: 310cm (no change since yesterday) Base: 110cm (-10cm change since yesterday) Planned lift operations: 9 of 9 lifts Ace Gondola, Ace Family quad, King Gondola and King Holiday pair until 7:00pm ------------------ Niseko Village Ski Resort Official snow depth (reported by the ski area): Peak: 236cm (no change since yesterday) Base: 132cm (no change since yesterday) Planned lift operations: 7 of 8 lifts (not Country Road) Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair until 7:00pm ------------------ 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: 200cm (no change since yesterday) Base: 130cm (-20cm change since yesterday) Planned lift operations: 6 of 6 lifts Jumbo Number 1 quad until 7:30pm ------------------ Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort Planned lift operations: 3 of 3 lifts Niseko Now 2025-2026 season Data as of Thursday 15th January 2026 Total snowfall at base so far 455cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 44 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 237cm reported on 14 days Previous report Next report 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Furano region of Hokkaido New snowfall at base 13cm Snowfall at base this season 394cm Posted on Thursday 15th January 2026 This is an archived report. The latest Furano Now report can be found here . My favorite quote from yesterday: "I think a lot of people are going to have the best runs of their lives today." We got 13 cm more white stuff since yesterday morning, and the resort is actually saying that more snow fell at the base than on top, which is a first. Anywho, nothing expected to happen on the snow front for the next 4 days, and the temps will stay cold, so enjoy. Think snow. --- Furano Zone: All lifts open. Lift A: 8:30--3:30 Lift B: 9:00--3:30 Lift C: 8:30--6:00 Lift D: 8:40--3:30 Lift E: 9:30-3:30 Snow Escalator:9-12:30 & 1:30-3:30 Kitanomine Zone: Lift F: 8:30--6:00 Lift G: 8:45--3:30 Lift H: 9:00--3:30 Lift K (Gondola): 9:00--3:30 Furano Now 2025-2026 season Data as of Thursday 15th January 2026 Total snowfall at base 394cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 40 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (6th December) November 2025 snowfall 45cm reported on 5 days December 2025 snowfall 234cm reported on 22 days January 2026 snowfall 115cm reported on 13 days Previous report Next report All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Furano. 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. SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for. About SnowJapan.com About the daily reporting on SnowJapan.com