Japan Weekly Snow Roundup #300

• Japan snowpack surpasses six-metre mark
• Honshu outpacing Hokkaido for snowfall
• Niseko retains 3.5m base
• Multiple resorts exceed five metres
• Frequent midwinter snow showers continue

Japan Snow Report and Ski Conditions

After going through 4 metres (160”) to take the world lead last week, the world’s deepest confirmed snowpack of the season has not only passed the 5 metre (200”) mark but also topped 6 metres (20 feet) over the last seven days. Little Seki Onsen (630/630cm /248/248"), close to Myoko, passed the latest milestone on 31 January. The small Niigataprefecture ski area, known for its exceptional annual snowfall, has been hammered by storms for weeks, including a metre (40”) falling in just 24 hours. Conditions have been so intense in parts of Japan that some offpiste zones are reportedly too deeply buried to ride.

While heavy snow and bitterly cold temperatures have been widespread across Japan’s ski regions for another week, northern Honshu has led the way this January, even outpacing Hokkaido, which is typically snowier. Niseko still retains a substantial 3.5 m base and full terrain access. However, two other Honshu ski centres, Charmant Hiuchi Ski Area (505/505cm / 202/202”) near Itoigawa City in Niigata and Aomori Spring Ski Resort (500/500cm / 200/200”) near Ajigasawa Town in Aomori prefecture have both hit the 5 metre (200 inch) mark, posting the second and third current deepest bases in the world.

Japan Weather and Snow Forecast
Honshu stays cold with frequent light snowfall, while Hokkaido remains firmly wintry with deeper, more persistent snow and lower temperatures. Honshu’s major resorts continue with classic midwinter weather: cold temperatures, regular snow, and occasional clearer spells. Mountain highs often sit between −10°C and −3°C, with bases fluctuating from −7°C up to 5°C depending on elevation. Resorts such as Shigakogen, Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen and Zao Onsen show a consistent pattern of subzero mountain temperatures and intermittent snowfall, keeping pistes refreshed. Resorts including Niseko, Rusutsu, Furano and Kiroro report mountain temperatures commonly between −15°C and −8°C, with bases around −12°C to −1°C. Forecasts show frequent snow showers continuing, occasionally heavier, alongside consistently subzero conditions that preserve powder.