Niseko

Niseko is the best known Japanese resort and with good reason – it's an absolute powder playground and 15m of snowfall in a season isn’t uncommon.

weather Forecast today: Broken clouds

Max temp: 6.5 °c
Min temp: -0.7 °c
Last snowed: Sat 21 Mar

Last Updated: Sun 22 Mar

weather Forecast today: Broken clouds

Max temp: 6.5 °c
Min temp: -0.7 °c
Last snowed: Sat 21 Mar

Last Updated: Sun 22 Mar

44%Beginner

36%Intermediate

20%Advanced

The lift pass actually covers four different resorts,

all linked and all as powdery as each other – so wherever you base yourself bring your powder skis and a good pair of low-visibility goggles. This is because between December and March the snow barely stops falling so expect to ski day after day of fresh tracks in some of the lightest powder on the planet. Compared to other Japanese resorts, Niseko has a more western feel, but there are still some great traditional eateries and family-run guesthouses.

Beginner
Fast lifts
Intermediate
Resort Activities
Advanced
Aprés
Snow
Value

Pros and cons

Endless powder that gets almost daily refills
Good lift system to access the snow
Chance to experience a different skiing culture, albeit a more westernised version recently

Don’t come here expecting to see the sunshine
Resort has quite a westernised feel now
Lots of areas are closed off without a mountain guide

On the Slopes

Good beginner areas are located at the foot of the dormant volcano that the ski area is located on – in particular at Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village. The new beginner gondola for the 2020/21 season will be a great addition for beginners.

Intermediates then have access to some good greens and reds further up the hill (note that blue markers are not used here). However the incessant snowfall can make for tricky conditions on piste, with groomed runs turning rapidly into what might seem like off piste as the snow falls.

The real attraction here is the plentiful powder, which transforms the entire mountain into one big playground. Niseko has some fine tree skiing on the lower half of the mountain, particularly on the ungroomed blacks below the Niseko Gondola, and some open powder fields at the top. Make the most of the terrain on offer and the deep snow by hiring a mountain guide and being prepared to hike for those turns.

In the Resort

There are several modern ski-in-ski-out hotels but little else at the bases, where it is mostly quiet after the day’s skiing. Alternatively you can stay in the atmospheric little town of Hirafu where, in the last few years, impressive modern apartments have gone up beside traditional pensions and lodges.
It is worth bearing in mind that Niseko is not the best choice for those looking to experience real Japanese culture – it has an international feel as a lot of the clientele are Europeans, Americans and particularly Australians.

Season Dates

Opens: Saturday 30 November 2024
Closes:
- Annupuri – 6 May 2025*
- Niseko Village – 6 April 2025
- Grand Hirafu – 31 March 2025
- Hanazono – 6 April 2025

Night skiing is available between 14 December and 23 March. Conditions deteriorate quickly after mid-to-late March; for perfect Japanese powder, aim to ski between opening day (when the powder tops up quickly!) and early March.

*Niseko Annupuri aims to remain open until the end of the Golden Week holiday period, 6 May 2025 – conditions rarely remain stable enough for this to happen. Expect Annupuri to close earlier as a result.

Lift Pass Prices

Updated for 2024/25

The below prices cover the full Niseko United area – individual tickets are available for each of the four resort bases, however beyond night skiing on your first evening in town are of little use to serious skiers! All lift tickets include unlimited night skiing as standard where available. Cheaper rates are available before 13 December and any time after 24 March.

Exchange rates are calculated late September 2024

//	1 Day	3 Days	6 Days
Niseko United
Adult	¥10,500 (~£55)	¥30,500 (~£157)	¥60,500 (~£312)
Child (4-12yo)	¥6,300 (~£33)	¥18,300 (~£95)	¥36,300 (~£187)
Teen (13-15yo)	¥8,900 (~£45)	¥25,000 (~£134)	¥51,400 (~£265)
Senior (65+)	¥8,900 (~£45)	¥25,000 (~£134)	¥51,400 (~£265)

Ski for less around the world

This is an Ikon Pass resort

Ski here with the Ikon Pass – buy yours today from the Ski Club and receive an exclusive Members’ discount.

Ikon Pass

Niseko Piste Map

Top (1200m)

	Sun 22 Mar			Mon 23 Mar			Tue 24 Mar			Wed 25 Mar			Thu 26 Mar			Fri 27 Mar			Sat 28 Mar			Sun 29 Mar			Mon 30 Mar			Tue 31 Mar
	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Rather cloudy	Generally clear	Generally clear	Mainly cloudy	Rain and snow	Generally clear	Generally clear	Clear skies	Clear skies	Clear skies	Generally clear	Partly cloudy	Broken clouds	Broken clouds	Rather cloudy	Rather cloudy	Light drizzle	Light rain shwr	Light rain shwr	Mainly fair	Mainly fair	Generally clear	Clear skies	Mainly fair	Light drizzle	Light drizzle	Light drizzle	Generally clear	Generally clear	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0.1 cm	0.2 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0.1 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0.1 cm	0.2 cm
Max temp	7°c	5.7°c	-1.2°c	6.6°c	5.6°c	-0.2°c	5.4°c	4.2°c	-2.2°c	5.4°c	4.5°c	-1.4°c	5.2°c	4.1°c	0.1°c	6.4°c	5.2°c	0.8°c	6.5°c	5.6°c	0.6°c	6.4°c	5.6°c	0.6°c	6.6°c	5.6°c	1.1°c	6.7°c	5.7°c	1.1°c
Min temp	4.7°c	-1.2°c	-1.9°c	4.1°c	-0.2°c	-1.7°c	3.2°c	-2.2°c	-3.8°c	3.1°c	-1.5°c	-2.1°c	3.4°c	-0.4°c	-0.4°c	3.9°c	0.8°c	0.1°c	4.3°c	0.6°c	-0.1°c	4.2°c	0.6°c	-0.1°c	4.4°c	1°c	0.5°c	4.5°c	1°c	0.6°c
Feels like temp	1.7°c	2.7°c	-1.2°c	0.7°c	2.4°c	-5.6°c	-0.5°c	0.5°c	-7°c	2.8°c	4.1°c	-5.3°c	0.3°c	1.2°c	-4.2°c	3.7°c	2.9°c	-3°c	2.1°c	3.3°c	-2.2°c	2.2°c	3°c	-2.6°c	1.5°c	2.2°c	-3.5°c	1.2°c	2°c	-3.6°c

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Select day:

	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Rather cloudy	Generally clear	Generally clear
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	7°c	5.7°c	-1.2°c
Min temp	4.7°c	-1.2°c	-1.9°c
Feels like temp	1.7°c	2.7°c	-1.2°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Mainly cloudy	Rain and snow	Generally clear
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0.1 cm	0.2 cm
Max temp	6.6°c	5.6°c	-0.2°c
Min temp	4.1°c	-0.2°c	-1.7°c
Feels like temp	0.7°c	2.4°c	-5.6°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Generally clear	Clear skies	Clear skies
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	5.4°c	4.2°c	-2.2°c
Min temp	3.2°c	-2.2°c	-3.8°c
Feels like temp	-0.5°c	0.5°c	-7°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Clear skies	Generally clear	Partly cloudy
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	5.4°c	4.5°c	-1.4°c
Min temp	3.1°c	-1.5°c	-2.1°c
Feels like temp	2.8°c	4.1°c	-5.3°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Broken clouds	Broken clouds	Rather cloudy
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0.1 cm	0 cm
Max temp	5.2°c	4.1°c	0.1°c
Min temp	3.4°c	-0.4°c	-0.4°c
Feels like temp	0.3°c	1.2°c	-4.2°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Rather cloudy	Light drizzle	Light rain shwr
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	6.4°c	5.2°c	0.8°c
Min temp	3.9°c	0.8°c	0.1°c
Feels like temp	3.7°c	2.9°c	-3°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Light rain shwr	Mainly fair	Mainly fair
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	6.5°c	5.6°c	0.6°c
Min temp	4.3°c	0.6°c	-0.1°c
Feels like temp	2.1°c	3.3°c	-2.2°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Generally clear	Clear skies	Mainly fair
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	6.4°c	5.6°c	0.6°c
Min temp	4.2°c	0.6°c	-0.1°c
Feels like temp	2.2°c	3°c	-2.6°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Light drizzle	Light drizzle	Light drizzle
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	6.6°c	5.6°c	1.1°c
Min temp	4.4°c	1°c	0.5°c
Feels like temp	1.5°c	2.2°c	-3.5°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Generally clear	Generally clear	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0.1 cm	0.2 cm
Max temp	6.7°c	5.7°c	1.1°c
Min temp	4.5°c	1°c	0.6°c
Feels like temp	1.2°c	2°c	-3.6°c

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Resort (250m)

	Sun 22 Mar			Mon 23 Mar			Tue 24 Mar			Wed 25 Mar			Thu 26 Mar			Fri 27 Mar			Sat 28 Mar			Sun 29 Mar			Mon 30 Mar			Tue 31 Mar
	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Broken clouds	Broken clouds	Partly cloudy	Occasional rain	Occasional rain	Mist	Broken clouds	Generally clear	Generally clear	Clear skies	Generally clear	Broken clouds	Clear skies	Mainly fair	Rather cloudy	Broken clouds	Light drizzle	Light rain	Light drizzle	Light drizzle	Generally clear	Generally clear	Generally clear	Generally clear	Light rain shwr	Light rain shwr	Light rain	Mainly fair	Generally clear	Rain/Snow shower
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0.1 cm	0.1 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0.2 cm
Max temp	6.5°c	6.5°c	1.4°c	6.1°c	4.8°c	1.7°c	5.1°c	4.8°c	-1.6°c	7.4°c	7.1°c	0.6°c	7.9°c	7.6°c	1.5°c	7.7°c	7.6°c	3.4°c	7.6°c	7.5°c	4°c	8.6°c	8.4°c	3.2°c	8.4°c	8.2°c	3.2°c	7.6°c	7.2°c	2.6°c
Min temp	0.4°c	1.4°c	-0.7°c	4°c	1.7°c	-0.4°c	2.6°c	-1.6°c	-4°c	3.6°c	0.6°c	-1.1°c	4.6°c	1.5°c	0.6°c	4.8°c	3.4°c	2.7°c	5.4°c	4°c	2.7°c	5.9°c	3.2°c	2.1°c	5.5°c	3.2°c	2.2°c	5°c	2.6°c	1.9°c
Feels like temp	0.4°c	4.2°c	-1.3°c	1.7°c	2.9°c	1.6°c	0°c	1.9°c	-1.6°c	3.2°c	6.3°c	0.5°c	4.1°c	5.5°c	-1.1°c	2.8°c	5.7°c	0.9°c	3.6°c	5.6°c	3.8°c	4.2°c	6.4°c	1°c	3.5°c	6.2°c	1.1°c	3°c	4.7°c	2.4°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	6.5°c	6.5°c	1.4°c
Min temp	0.4°c	1.4°c	-0.7°c
Feels like temp	0.4°c	4.2°c	-1.3°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0.1 cm
Max temp	6.1°c	4.8°c	1.7°c
Min temp	4°c	1.7°c	-0.4°c
Feels like temp	1.7°c	2.9°c	1.6°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0.1 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	5.1°c	4.8°c	-1.6°c
Min temp	2.6°c	-1.6°c	-4°c
Feels like temp	0°c	1.9°c	-1.6°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	7.4°c	7.1°c	0.6°c
Min temp	3.6°c	0.6°c	-1.1°c
Feels like temp	3.2°c	6.3°c	0.5°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	7.9°c	7.6°c	1.5°c
Min temp	4.6°c	1.5°c	0.6°c
Feels like temp	4.1°c	5.5°c	-1.1°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	7.7°c	7.6°c	3.4°c
Min temp	4.8°c	3.4°c	2.7°c
Feels like temp	2.8°c	5.7°c	0.9°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	7.6°c	7.5°c	4°c
Min temp	5.4°c	4°c	2.7°c
Feels like temp	3.6°c	5.6°c	3.8°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	8.6°c	8.4°c	3.2°c
Min temp	5.9°c	3.2°c	2.1°c
Feels like temp	4.2°c	6.4°c	1°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
Max temp	8.4°c	8.2°c	3.2°c
Min temp	5.5°c	3.2°c	2.2°c
Feels like temp	3.5°c	6.2°c	1.1°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0.2 cm
Max temp	7.6°c	7.2°c	2.6°c
Min temp	5°c	2.6°c	1.9°c
Feels like temp	3°c	4.7°c	2.4°c

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Resort Conditions

Snowfall	Last Snowfall	21/03/2026
Snowfall	Next 3 days	0.3 cm
Depths	Upper piste depth	360 cm
Depths	Lower piste depth	95 cm
Snow conditions	Snow quality	New snow
Lifts	Lifts open	28 out of 32
	Resort opening date	Fri 05 Dec 2025
	Resort closing date	Wed 06 May 2026

Snow Overview

Japan

Updated 17/03

A tale of two halves for Japan this week, as the season seems to have come to a juddering halt in the south but keeps plodding on in the north.

Honshu remains mild and damp, with lots of rain forecast for this week; temperatures remain mild with the freezing line ticking up above mid-mountain level. A short, sharp burst of snow and cold weather will keep things hopeful as the weekend dawns, albeit mild and sunny weather quickly returns.

On Hokkaido. cold weather is the theme of the week, with snowfall coming before the weekend – around 20cm on Friday night will make for mega riding conditions over the weekend.

Snow & Weather Forecasts Avalanche Forecast