Japan Weekly Snow Roundup #312

• Gassan posts the world's deepest snowpack - 760cm (304") - as Japan's season winds down
• Daisetsuzan Kurodake holds the most wintry conditions in Hokkaido at 390cm (156") deep
• Most Japanese ski areas close by 6 or 7 May and only Gassan and Shiga Kogen continue later
• Honshu resorts in full freeze-thaw cycles with slopes softening to slush by midday

Japan Snow Report

The last week of April brought full spring conditions across Japan's remaining open ski areas, with a clear north–south split in temperatures and snow quality. The week stayed relatively mild nationwide, with a mix of sunshine and cloud and only brief cooler intervals. Skiing remains best early in the day on upper slopes, where overnight freezes still preserve supportive spring snow. Most areas have 5–25% of their slopes still open. 

Hokkaido holds the most remaining wintry terrain, especially at higher elevations in Niseko (15/220cm / 6/88"), Furano (10/80cm / 4/32") and Daisetsuzan Kurodake (280/390cm / 112/156"). Mountain temperatures generally range from –5°C to +3°C, with bases between +1°C and +6°C. Nights have remained cold enough for firm, refrozen surfaces, softening into spring corn by late morning.

Across Honshu, open resorts such as Shiga Kogen (20/80cm / 8/32"), Nozawa Onsen (0/55cm / 0/22"), some areas in the Hakuba Valley and the Gassan summer ski area (450/760cm / 180/304") — still posting the world's deepest cover, though upper base measures are falling fast — remain in full thaw–freeze cycles. Mountain temperatures sit between 0°C and +7°C, while lower slopes reach +14°C to +20°C, accelerating snowmelt. Surfaces start firm before turning soft or slushy by midday. Gassan, with its exceptional elevation and snowpack, continues to offer the most reliable coverage of anywhere in Japan at this time of year.

Japan Snow Forecast
It is the final week of the season for most still-open Japanese ski areas, with the majority ending their seasons on 6 or 7 May. Only Gassan and Shiga Kogen plan to stay open later into the spring. A mixed, unsettled spell lies ahead, with rain dominating most ski elevations and only brief high-mountain snow in the far north. Early in the period, widespread rain and low cloud affect many Honshu resorts. A warmer, brighter break follows around 2–3 May before light showers return on 4 May. Only the highest Hokkaido terrain may catch occasional wet snow overnight.