Japan Christmas Snow Roundup #294

• Japan leads global snowfall for third straight week
• Hokkaido snowpacks deepen rapidly
• Honshu bases continue build up steadily
• Siberian cold drives frequent snow showers

Japan Snow Report and Ski Conditions

Japan continues to post the best snow depth statistics and some of the biggest snowfall accumulations in the world for the third successive week. This follows a sustained run of cold northwest flow off the Sea of Japan, with repeated Siberian cold outbreaks over the past 10–14 days delivering frequent snow showers. Windward slopes have seen the most benefit, steadily deepening bases and refreshing surface conditions across the country’s main ski regions.

Hokkaido Snow Report and Ski Conditions

Northern Hokkaido continues to dominate national snow depth tables, with some of the deepest and most consistent snowpacks anywhere in the world right now. Central Hokkaido’s Daisetsuzan Sounkyo area, including Kurodake, is posting the country’s greatest snowfall accumulation to date following several intense lake-effect-style snow events driven by cold air crossing the Sea of Japan.

Better-known resorts are also in excellent shape. Niseko continues to benefit from near-daily snowfall and consistently cold temperatures, while Kiroro topped fresh snowfall totals over the weekend, posting 26 inches in 72 hours as a strong low-pressure system crossed the region.

Other major Hokkaido resortsFurano totals contributing to rapidly deepening bases and excellent powder conditions.

7-Day Weather and Snow Forecast
Hokkaido continues to see the most consistent snowfall in Japan, with frequent snow showers driven by repeated pulses of cold air. Accumulations remain moderate but regular, particularly on western and northern aspects, with freezing levels staying low and conditions remaining cold and powder-friendly.

Honshu Snow Report and Ski Conditions

Snow continues to fall across Honshu, with bases building steadily at major resorts in Nagano and Niigata. While snowfall rates have not quite matched those seen on Hokkaido, conditions continue to improve thanks to repeated refreshes and generally favorable temperatures.

Resorts in the Hakuba Valley are already reporting upper-mountain bases of 40–60 inches following several solid snowfall events over the past week. Elsewhere across Honshu, conditions remain wintry, with continued snowfall helping to maintain good surface quality despite slightly milder air and more variable storm intensity.

7-Day Weather and Snow Forecast
Colder air spreads south again this week as another broad trough settles over Japan. Frequent snow showers develop across Honshu’s main ski regions, including Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen. Snowfall is lighter but persistent, with freezing levels dropping to low elevations and upper mountain temperatures remaining cold.