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: Occasional snow

Max temp: -7.5 °c
Min temp: -8.5 °c
Last snowed: Fri 27 Dec

Last Updated: Fri 27 Dec

weather Forecast today: Occasional snow

Max temp: -7.5 °c
Min temp: -8.5 °c
Last snowed: Fri 27 Dec

Last Updated: Fri 27 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 27 Dec			Sat 28 Dec			Sun 29 Dec			Mon 30 Dec			Tue 31 Dec			Wed 1 Jan			Thu 2 Jan			Fri 3 Jan			Sat 4 Jan			Sun 5 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	Mainly cloudy	Broken clouds	Broken clouds	Light snow shwr	Mainly fair	Occasional snow	Rather cloudy	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Snow	Snow	Occasional snow	Broken clouds	Generally clear	Mist	Occasional snow	Generally clear	Snow grains	Light snow shwr	Generally clear	Generally clear	Snow grains	Occasional snow	Snow grains	Light snow shwr	Snow grains	Snow grains
Wind
Snow expected	0.7 cm	0.7 cm	0.5 cm	0.4 cm	0.2 cm	0.4 cm	0.5 cm	0.3 cm	0.4 cm	0.1 cm	0.6 cm	1.4 cm	9.8 cm	4.8 cm	1.3 cm	0.2 cm	0.1 cm	0.2 cm	1.4 cm	0.4 cm	0.5 cm	0.4 cm	0.1 cm	0.2 cm	0.9 cm	0.7 cm	0.4 cm	0.6 cm	0.9 cm	0.7 cm
Max temp	-5.9°c	-6.9°c	-9.1°c	-4.6°c	-5.1°c	-8.6°c	-4.4°c	-5.5°c	-10.2°c	-3.1°c	-3.4°c	-5.8°c	0.1°c	-0.8°c	-4.4°c	-2°c	-2.9°c	-8.9°c	-2.6°c	-3.2°c	-9.6°c	-5.5°c	-6.4°c	-11.9°c	-6.2°c	-6.8°c	-12.1°c	-6.6°c	-7.1°c	-11.4°c
Min temp	-6.9°c	-9.1°c	-10.4°c	-6.8°c	-8.8°c	-10.6°c	-6.4°c	-10.2°c	-11.4°c	-6.2°c	-7.5°c	-7.4°c	-1.4°c	-4.4°c	-6.1°c	-4.6°c	-8.9°c	-10.4°c	-5.5°c	-9.6°c	-11.8°c	-8.2°c	-11.9°c	-13.1°c	-9.5°c	-12.1°c	-13°c	-9.5°c	-11.4°c	-11.9°c
Feels like temp	-12.3°c	-13.1°c	-14.8°c	-10.9°c	-9.4°c	-8.6°c	-10.6°c	-10.1°c	-10.2°c	-6.2°c	-3.4°c	-7.4°c	-1.4°c	-3.7°c	-9.8°c	-9.1°c	-6.5°c	-8.9°c	-5.5°c	-7.3°c	-9.6°c	-12.6°c	-11.5°c	-16.9°c	-9.5°c	-11.7°c	-12.1°c	-14.3°c	-12.4°c	-11.4°c

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Select day:

	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	0.7 cm	0.7 cm	0.5 cm
Max temp	-5.9°c	-6.9°c	-9.1°c
Min temp	-6.9°c	-9.1°c	-10.4°c
Feels like temp	-12.3°c	-13.1°c	-14.8°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Mainly cloudy	Broken clouds	Broken clouds
Wind
Snow expected	0.4 cm	0.2 cm	0.4 cm
Max temp	-4.6°c	-5.1°c	-8.6°c
Min temp	-6.8°c	-8.8°c	-10.6°c
Feels like temp	-10.9°c	-9.4°c	-8.6°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Light snow shwr	Mainly fair	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	0.5 cm	0.3 cm	0.4 cm
Max temp	-4.4°c	-5.5°c	-10.2°c
Min temp	-6.4°c	-10.2°c	-11.4°c
Feels like temp	-10.6°c	-10.1°c	-10.2°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Rather cloudy	Occasional snow	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	0.1 cm	0.6 cm	1.4 cm
Max temp	-3.1°c	-3.4°c	-5.8°c
Min temp	-6.2°c	-7.5°c	-7.4°c
Feels like temp	-6.2°c	-3.4°c	-7.4°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Snow	Snow	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	9.8 cm	4.8 cm	1.3 cm
Max temp	0.1°c	-0.8°c	-4.4°c
Min temp	-1.4°c	-4.4°c	-6.1°c
Feels like temp	-1.4°c	-3.7°c	-9.8°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Broken clouds	Generally clear	Mist
Wind
Snow expected	0.2 cm	0.1 cm	0.2 cm
Max temp	-2°c	-2.9°c	-8.9°c
Min temp	-4.6°c	-8.9°c	-10.4°c
Feels like temp	-9.1°c	-6.5°c	-8.9°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Occasional snow	Generally clear	Snow grains
Wind
Snow expected	1.4 cm	0.4 cm	0.5 cm
Max temp	-2.6°c	-3.2°c	-9.6°c
Min temp	-5.5°c	-9.6°c	-11.8°c
Feels like temp	-5.5°c	-7.3°c	-9.6°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Light snow shwr	Generally clear	Generally clear
Wind
Snow expected	0.4 cm	0.1 cm	0.2 cm
Max temp	-5.5°c	-6.4°c	-11.9°c
Min temp	-8.2°c	-11.9°c	-13.1°c
Feels like temp	-12.6°c	-11.5°c	-16.9°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Snow grains	Occasional snow	Snow grains
Wind
Snow expected	0.9 cm	0.7 cm	0.4 cm
Max temp	-6.2°c	-6.8°c	-12.1°c
Min temp	-9.5°c	-12.1°c	-13°c
Feels like temp	-9.5°c	-11.7°c	-12.1°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Light snow shwr	Snow grains	Snow grains
Wind
Snow expected	0.6 cm	0.9 cm	0.7 cm
Max temp	-6.6°c	-7.1°c	-11.4°c
Min temp	-9.5°c	-11.4°c	-11.9°c
Feels like temp	-14.3°c	-12.4°c	-11.4°c

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Resort (250m)

	Fri 27 Dec			Sat 28 Dec			Sun 29 Dec			Mon 30 Dec			Tue 31 Dec			Wed 1 Jan			Thu 2 Jan			Fri 3 Jan			Sat 4 Jan			Sun 5 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	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Broken clouds	Rather cloudy	Occasional snow	Light snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Light snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Light snow shwr	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	4.8 cm	4.7 cm	3.6 cm	2.2 cm	2.5 cm	4.8 cm	4.3 cm	3.4 cm	4 cm	0.6 cm	0.3 cm	0.4 cm	3 cm	4.2 cm	2.8 cm	2.3 cm	0.9 cm	1.4 cm	6.6 cm	2.9 cm	3 cm	2.1 cm	1.6 cm	2.3 cm	2.4 cm	3 cm	3.9 cm	3.8 cm	4.5 cm	3.4 cm
Max temp	-7.5°c	-7.8°c	-7.9°c	-5.9°c	-6.2°c	-7.5°c	-6.1°c	-6.6°c	-8.1°c	-5.1°c	-5.2°c	-8.5°c	-2.8°c	-3.4°c	-5.4°c	-3.5°c	-4.2°c	-7.9°c	-4.4°c	-4.5°c	-8.4°c	-6.8°c	-7.5°c	-10.2°c	-7.8°c	-8.2°c	-10.8°c	-7.9°c	-8.2°c	-10.4°c
Min temp	-8.5°c	-8°c	-8.4°c	-7.8°c	-8.2°c	-8.1°c	-7.4°c	-9.4°c	-9.2°c	-7°c	-8.5°c	-9.8°c	-5.6°c	-5.4°c	-6.2°c	-5.6°c	-7.9°c	-8.4°c	-6.8°c	-8.4°c	-9.6°c	-8.6°c	-10.2°c	-10.9°c	-9.9°c	-10.9°c	-11°c	-10.1°c	-10.4°c	-11.1°c
Feels like temp	-13.9°c	-13.8°c	-13.5°c	-7.8°c	-10.1°c	-8.1°c	-7.4°c	-11.1°c	-9.2°c	-7°c	-5.2°c	-8.5°c	-5.6°c	-6.5°c	-10°c	-9.3°c	-7.7°c	-7.9°c	-6.8°c	-8.8°c	-8.4°c	-13.1°c	-12.7°c	-14.9°c	-9.9°c	-13.3°c	-10.8°c	-15°c	-13.4°c	-15.2°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	4.8 cm	4.7 cm	3.6 cm
Max temp	-7.5°c	-7.8°c	-7.9°c
Min temp	-8.5°c	-8°c	-8.4°c
Feels like temp	-13.9°c	-13.8°c	-13.5°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	2.2 cm	2.5 cm	4.8 cm
Max temp	-5.9°c	-6.2°c	-7.5°c
Min temp	-7.8°c	-8.2°c	-8.1°c
Feels like temp	-7.8°c	-10.1°c	-8.1°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	4.3 cm	3.4 cm	4 cm
Max temp	-6.1°c	-6.6°c	-8.1°c
Min temp	-7.4°c	-9.4°c	-9.2°c
Feels like temp	-7.4°c	-11.1°c	-9.2°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	0.6 cm	0.3 cm	0.4 cm
Max temp	-5.1°c	-5.2°c	-8.5°c
Min temp	-7°c	-8.5°c	-9.8°c
Feels like temp	-7°c	-5.2°c	-8.5°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	3 cm	4.2 cm	2.8 cm
Max temp	-2.8°c	-3.4°c	-5.4°c
Min temp	-5.6°c	-5.4°c	-6.2°c
Feels like temp	-5.6°c	-6.5°c	-10°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	2.3 cm	0.9 cm	1.4 cm
Max temp	-3.5°c	-4.2°c	-7.9°c
Min temp	-5.6°c	-7.9°c	-8.4°c
Feels like temp	-9.3°c	-7.7°c	-7.9°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	6.6 cm	2.9 cm	3 cm
Max temp	-4.4°c	-4.5°c	-8.4°c
Min temp	-6.8°c	-8.4°c	-9.6°c
Feels like temp	-6.8°c	-8.8°c	-8.4°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	2.1 cm	1.6 cm	2.3 cm
Max temp	-6.8°c	-7.5°c	-10.2°c
Min temp	-8.6°c	-10.2°c	-10.9°c
Feels like temp	-13.1°c	-12.7°c	-14.9°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	2.4 cm	3 cm	3.9 cm
Max temp	-7.8°c	-8.2°c	-10.8°c
Min temp	-9.9°c	-10.9°c	-11°c
Feels like temp	-9.9°c	-13.3°c	-10.8°c

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	AM	PM	Night
Weather
Wind
Snow expected	3.8 cm	4.5 cm	3.4 cm
Max temp	-7.9°c	-8.2°c	-10.4°c
Min temp	-10.1°c	-10.4°c	-11.1°c
Feels like temp	-15°c	-13.4°c	-15.2°c

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Resort Conditions

Snowfall	Last Snowfall	27/12/2024
Snowfall	Next 3 days	5.6 cm
Depths	Upper piste depth	220 cm
Depths	Lower piste depth	110 cm
Snow conditions	Snow quality	Powder snow
Lifts	Lifts open	30 out of 32
	Resort opening date	Sun 01 Dec 2024
	Resort closing date	Tue 06 May 2025

Snow Overview

Japan

Updated 24/12

One of the snowiest Decembers on record for Japan continues this week, as more unsettled weather comes in off Siberia and the Sea of China.

Christmas Day will remain comparatively mild, with zero degrees possible during the day on Honshu and hovering just below this further north. This does change dramatically, however, and overnight lows will hit -25°C overnight on Hokkaido, -15°C on Honshu.

Snow will begin on the evening of Christmas Day, and will fall steadily north and south, with 50cm expected down between then and Sunday.

The Ski Club office is closed on Friday 28 December – there will be no overviews published on this date, returning Tuesday 31 December. The Ski Club wishes you a Merry Christmas!

Snow & Weather Forecasts Avalanche Forecast