Japan Weekly Snow Roundup #309
Weekly Snow News for Japan, updated 9 April 2026: Japan sees spring mix with 410cm (164") base at Kurodake, while warm conditions dominate Honshu resorts.
- Japan’s deepest snowpack holds at 410cm despite spring thaw
- Mt Gassan opens for extended spring-summer ski season
- Mixed conditions with snow, rain and sunshine across resorts
- Hokkaido stays wintry while Honshu turns warm
Japan Snow Report
Japanese ski areas are seeing a full spring mix, with sunshine, fog and spells of rain, sleet and snow as temperatures fluctuate between -5°C overnight on upper slopes and above +10°C at resort level in the afternoons. Many areas have now ended their 2025/26 seasons, but several major resorts remain open into May, including Niseko.
Daisetsuzan Kurodake (410/410cm / 164/164”) continues to report the world’s deepest snowpack, holding onto its lead into April. Japan’s unique spring-summer ski area, Mt Gassan, begins its 2026 season on 10 April and is expected to operate through to July. Meanwhile, resorts including Naeba and Sahoro closed following last weekend.
Japan Snow Forecast
Warmer conditions are expected with a clear north–south split. Hokkaido remains cooler, with upper slopes at major resorts like Niseko and Furano ranging from –7°C to +2°C, and bases between 0°C and +11°C. Snow quality remains best on higher, shaded terrain.
