Japan Weekly Snow Roundup #304

• Kurodake posts an exceptional 415cm/166" upper base as Hokkaido stays firmly wintry
• Seki Onsen holds the world's deepest base at 270/470cm, down over 1.5m from its peak
• Niseko reports 370cm/148" of upper snow with reliable powder still on offer
• Hokkaido to see fresh cold north-westerlies bringing 5–10cm of higher-quality snow

Japan Intro

Spring continues to take hold in Japan, with the ski season continuing its shift into a milder, more springlike phase, with both main islands still offering good coverage but increasingly variable conditions as temperatures rise and snowfall becomes less consistent. Resorts remain largely open, yet the feel on the slopes is shifting from deep mid-winter powder to a mix of softening snow, freeze–thaw cycles, and occasional rain at lower elevations.

Hokkaido Snow Report

Hokkaido's major resorts, including Niseko, Rusutsu, Furano, Tomamu, Kamui and Kurodake, remain fully or near‑fully open, with substantial upper‑mountain depths such as 370cm (148") at Niseko, 225cm (90") at Rusutsu and an exceptional 415cm (166") at Kurodake.

Recent reports describe more warm, dry, sunny days and dense, lower‑quality snow replacing the classic light Japow of winter. A passing low is bringing a mix of rain and heavy, wet snow, followed by a brief return to colder north-westerlies and 5–10cm (2–4") of fresher, higher‑quality snow. Overall, skiing remains reliable, but the surface is increasingly soft, sun‑affected, and variable.

Honshu Snow Report

Honshu's leading resorts, including Hakuba Happo‑One, Nozawa Onsen, Shiga Kogen, Zao Onsen, and Naeba, are also well covered, with upper‑mountain depths such as 270cm (108") at Happo‑One and 220cm (88") at Nozawa. Honshu has also seen warmer temperatures and recent rain, especially on the Pacific side, producing wet snow, soft surfaces and freeze–thaw cycles.

Northern Honshu has fared slightly better, picking up dense snow during recent systems, but overall, the island is firmly in early spring mode, with more mixed precipitation expected. Seki Onsen (270/470cm / 108/188") near Myoko City is just about still posting the world's deepest base, but it's dropped over 1.5m (5 feet) from its 630cm (252") upper base peak depth a fortnight ago and is now only just ahead of a few European areas.

Japan Snow Forecast

Hokkaido stays firmly wintry this week, with frequent snowfall, sub‑freezing days and nights dropping well below −5°C, keeping powder consistently cold and dry across Niseko, Furano and the central ranges. Honshu is milder and more changeable, mixing light snow with rain–snow transitions and brighter spring windows.

Mid‑mountain temperatures typically sit between −3°C and +4°C, with lower slopes often thawing by afternoon. Northern Honshu holds onto colder conditions and more reliable snow, while Nagano–Niigata resorts see wider freeze–thaw cycles, firmer mornings and softening afternoons.