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: Snow

Max temp: -2.4 °c
Min temp: -11 °c
Last snowed: Fri 26 Dec

Last Updated: Fri 26 Dec

weather Forecast today: Snow

Max temp: -2.4 °c
Min temp: -11 °c
Last snowed: Fri 26 Dec

Last Updated: Fri 26 Dec

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)

	Fri 26 Dec			Sat 27 Dec			Sun 28 Dec			Mon 29 Dec			Tue 30 Dec			Wed 31 Dec			Thu 1 Jan			Fri 2 Jan			Sat 3 Jan			Sun 4 Jan
	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	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Broken clouds	Mainly fair	Partly cloudy	Rain/Snow shower	Rain and snow	Snow shower	Broken clouds	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Light snow shwr	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Light snow shwr	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Snow grains	Snow grains	Mainly fair	Occasional snow	Mainly fair	Snow grains	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	0.5 cm	0.9 cm	1.6 cm	1.4 cm	0.9 cm	1.2 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0.1 cm	1.5 cm	1.5 cm	1.4 cm	0.2 cm	0.5 cm	1.4 cm	1 cm	1.4 cm	1.6 cm	1.3 cm	1.8 cm	1.6 cm	0.9 cm	0.9 cm	1.2 cm	1 cm	1.1 cm	1 cm	1 cm	1.5 cm	1.6 cm
Max temp	-3.1°c	-8°c	-11°c	-7.6°c	-7.9°c	-6.4°c	-1.9°c	-2.8°c	-2.2°c	1.9°c	1.2°c	1.2°c	-1.4°c	-4.5°c	-6.2°c	-5.6°c	-7.2°c	-8.5°c	-7.1°c	-7.9°c	-8.9°c	-7.1°c	-8°c	-8.9°c	-5.5°c	-6.4°c	-7.3°c	-3.8°c	-4.8°c	-5.7°c
Min temp	-8°c	-11°c	-11.8°c	-9°c	-9.2°c	-7.9°c	-3.5°c	-4.6°c	-4.8°c	0.6°c	0°c	0.6°c	-4.5°c	-6.5°c	-7.4°c	-7.2°c	-8.8°c	-9.4°c	-7.9°c	-9°c	-9.4°c	-8°c	-9.8°c	-9.6°c	-6.6°c	-8.1°c	-7.9°c	-4.8°c	-6.8°c	-6.5°c
Feels like temp	-8.7°c	-17.6°c	-22.4°c	-17.9°c	-18.3°c	-16.9°c	-11.5°c	-10.2°c	-11.2°c	-4.4°c	-5.9°c	-5.3°c	-8.6°c	-12.2°c	-14.1°c	-13.4°c	-15.5°c	-15.9°c	-12.9°c	-15.7°c	-16.7°c	-15.6°c	-16.3°c	-17.7°c	-13.4°c	-13.6°c	-15.5°c	-11.5°c	-11.4°c	-13.1°c

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Select day:

	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	0.5 cm	0.9 cm	1.6 cm
Max temp	-3.1°c	-8°c	-11°c
Min temp	-8°c	-11°c	-11.8°c
Feels like temp	-8.7°c	-17.6°c	-22.4°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	1.4 cm	0.9 cm	1.2 cm
Max temp	-7.6°c	-7.9°c	-6.4°c
Min temp	-9°c	-9.2°c	-7.9°c
Feels like temp	-17.9°c	-18.3°c	-16.9°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Broken clouds	Mainly fair	Partly cloudy
Wind
Snow expected	0 cm	0 cm	0.1 cm
Max temp	-1.9°c	-2.8°c	-2.2°c
Min temp	-3.5°c	-4.6°c	-4.8°c
Feels like temp	-11.5°c	-10.2°c	-11.2°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Rain/Snow shower	Rain and snow	Snow shower
Wind
Snow expected	1.5 cm	1.5 cm	1.4 cm
Max temp	1.9°c	1.2°c	1.2°c
Min temp	0.6°c	0°c	0.6°c
Feels like temp	-4.4°c	-5.9°c	-5.3°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Broken clouds	Occasional snow	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	0.2 cm	0.5 cm	1.4 cm
Max temp	-1.4°c	-4.5°c	-6.2°c
Min temp	-4.5°c	-6.5°c	-7.4°c
Feels like temp	-8.6°c	-12.2°c	-14.1°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Light snow shwr	Occasional snow	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	1 cm	1.4 cm	1.6 cm
Max temp	-5.6°c	-7.2°c	-8.5°c
Min temp	-7.2°c	-8.8°c	-9.4°c
Feels like temp	-13.4°c	-15.5°c	-15.9°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Light snow shwr	Occasional snow	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	1.3 cm	1.8 cm	1.6 cm
Max temp	-7.1°c	-7.9°c	-8.9°c
Min temp	-7.9°c	-9°c	-9.4°c
Feels like temp	-12.9°c	-15.7°c	-16.7°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Snow grains	Snow grains	Mainly fair
Wind
Snow expected	0.9 cm	0.9 cm	1.2 cm
Max temp	-7.1°c	-8°c	-8.9°c
Min temp	-8°c	-9.8°c	-9.6°c
Feels like temp	-15.6°c	-16.3°c	-17.7°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Occasional snow	Mainly fair	Snow grains
Wind
Snow expected	1 cm	1.1 cm	1 cm
Max temp	-5.5°c	-6.4°c	-7.3°c
Min temp	-6.6°c	-8.1°c	-7.9°c
Feels like temp	-13.4°c	-13.6°c	-15.5°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	1 cm	1.5 cm	1.6 cm
Max temp	-3.8°c	-4.8°c	-5.7°c
Min temp	-4.8°c	-6.8°c	-6.5°c
Feels like temp	-11.5°c	-11.4°c	-13.1°c

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Resort (250m)

	Fri 26 Dec			Sat 27 Dec			Sun 28 Dec			Mon 29 Dec			Tue 30 Dec			Wed 31 Dec			Thu 1 Jan			Fri 2 Jan			Sat 3 Jan			Sun 4 Jan
	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	Snow	Light snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Mainly cloudy	Rather cloudy	Light rain	Light rain	Rain and snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	6.6 cm	6.5 cm	4.4 cm	3.9 cm	3.8 cm	4.1 cm	0.3 cm	0.1 cm	0.1 cm	0.2 cm	0 cm	0.1 cm	1.3 cm	1.9 cm	3.2 cm	2.9 cm	3.8 cm	3 cm	2.8 cm	3.9 cm	4.1 cm	2.5 cm	2.7 cm	2.4 cm	2.2 cm	2.6 cm	2.3 cm	1.7 cm	2.2 cm	2 cm
Max temp	-2.4°c	-6.5°c	-9.8°c	-7.5°c	-7.8°c	-6.5°c	-1.7°c	-1.9°c	-3.2°c	3°c	2.8°c	2.4°c	-1.3°c	-3.4°c	-6.1°c	-5.8°c	-6.4°c	-8.7°c	-7.1°c	-7.2°c	-9.4°c	-6.4°c	-6.6°c	-9.1°c	-4.6°c	-4.8°c	-7.6°c	-2.9°c	-3.3°c	-5.9°c
Min temp	-6.5°c	-9.8°c	-11°c	-9.8°c	-8.4°c	-7.8°c	-4.9°c	-4.1°c	-4.9°c	0.6°c	2.2°c	1.6°c	-3.4°c	-6.1°c	-7.8°c	-7.7°c	-8.7°c	-9.9°c	-9.5°c	-9.4°c	-9.8°c	-8.6°c	-9.2°c	-9.4°c	-7.5°c	-7.9°c	-7.9°c	-4.9°c	-6.5°c	-6.5°c
Feels like temp	-7.6°c	-13.4°c	-16.9°c	-16.5°c	-14.3°c	-13.1°c	-9.7°c	-5.7°c	-7.6°c	-2.4°c	-0.1°c	-0.5°c	-5.1°c	-8°c	-10.6°c	-7.7°c	-11.1°c	-13.6°c	-9.5°c	-11.9°c	-14°c	-8.6°c	-10.8°c	-9.1°c	-7.5°c	-8.6°c	-12.1°c	-4.9°c	-7.3°c	-10.6°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	6.6 cm	6.5 cm	4.4 cm
Max temp	-2.4°c	-6.5°c	-9.8°c
Min temp	-6.5°c	-9.8°c	-11°c
Feels like temp	-7.6°c	-13.4°c	-16.9°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	3.9 cm	3.8 cm	4.1 cm
Max temp	-7.5°c	-7.8°c	-6.5°c
Min temp	-9.8°c	-8.4°c	-7.8°c
Feels like temp	-16.5°c	-14.3°c	-13.1°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0.3 cm	0.1 cm	0.1 cm
Max temp	-1.7°c	-1.9°c	-3.2°c
Min temp	-4.9°c	-4.1°c	-4.9°c
Feels like temp	-9.7°c	-5.7°c	-7.6°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0.2 cm	0 cm	0.1 cm
Max temp	3°c	2.8°c	2.4°c
Min temp	0.6°c	2.2°c	1.6°c
Feels like temp	-2.4°c	-0.1°c	-0.5°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	1.3 cm	1.9 cm	3.2 cm
Max temp	-1.3°c	-3.4°c	-6.1°c
Min temp	-3.4°c	-6.1°c	-7.8°c
Feels like temp	-5.1°c	-8°c	-10.6°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	2.9 cm	3.8 cm	3 cm
Max temp	-5.8°c	-6.4°c	-8.7°c
Min temp	-7.7°c	-8.7°c	-9.9°c
Feels like temp	-7.7°c	-11.1°c	-13.6°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	2.8 cm	3.9 cm	4.1 cm
Max temp	-7.1°c	-7.2°c	-9.4°c
Min temp	-9.5°c	-9.4°c	-9.8°c
Feels like temp	-9.5°c	-11.9°c	-14°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	2.5 cm	2.7 cm	2.4 cm
Max temp	-6.4°c	-6.6°c	-9.1°c
Min temp	-8.6°c	-9.2°c	-9.4°c
Feels like temp	-8.6°c	-10.8°c	-9.1°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	2.2 cm	2.6 cm	2.3 cm
Max temp	-4.6°c	-4.8°c	-7.6°c
Min temp	-7.5°c	-7.9°c	-7.9°c
Feels like temp	-7.5°c	-8.6°c	-12.1°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	1.7 cm	2.2 cm	2 cm
Max temp	-2.9°c	-3.3°c	-5.9°c
Min temp	-4.9°c	-6.5°c	-6.5°c
Feels like temp	-4.9°c	-7.3°c	-10.6°c

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Resort Conditions

Snowfall	Last Snowfall	26/12/2025
Snowfall	Next 3 days	11.5 cm
Depths	Upper piste depth	175 cm
Depths	Lower piste depth	45 cm
Snow conditions	Snow quality	New snow
Lifts	Lifts open	27 out of 32
	Resort opening date	Fri 05 Dec 2025
	Resort closing date	Wed 06 May 2026

Snow Overview

Japan

Updated 24/12

Japan finally comes to life after a monumentally slow start, with temperatures on Honshu dropping rapidly into Christmas day followed by 2ft of snowfall into Boxing Day. This will sit on a very humid snowpack and wet ground, creating a mix of very-early-season and spring-like snowpack, so expect the avalanche forecast to tick up accordingly until this has had a chance to settle. Things return to more settled albeit remaining cool into the weekend, before a flurry of new snow into the new week.

On Hokkaido, temperatures start cold and turn colder, with the freezing line hitting sea level into Christmas Day. Around 1.5ft of snow is expected over this period and into the weekend, before milder albeit still snow conditions return in to the new week.

Snow & Weather Forecasts Avalanche Forecast