Hakuba Snowfall at a 10-Year High, Christmas Storm to Bring Even More Snow! - MountainWatch Travel
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Hakuba Japan 2025

Japan | Hakuba | Snowboard | Ski

Hakuba Snowfall at a 10-Year High, Christmas Storm to Bring Even More Snow!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

…for shredders across Japan, as ski resorts nationwide are off to an absolute flyer! While Niseko continues to make headlines with their heaviest snowfall in decades, Honshu’s resorts are celebrating historic early-season snow totals, marking their best start in 10 years!

As we countdown to Christmas, Hakuba’s resorts are already showcasing excellent snow depths. On 23 December, Happo, Goryu, and Hakuba 47 all reported snow levels averaging over 2 metres at their top stations, promising riders a jolly season full of abundant, light and fluffy powder.

Deep turns in heavy early-season snowfall perfectly captured by Henry (@late2wenty).

After a huge weekend snow dump that continues into tonight, all the resorts are in full swing. Hakuba 47 and Goryu have all their courses open, while Happo is “mostly open,” with more lifts and terrain expected to follow very soon.

Hakuba seeing best early-season conditions in 10 years! Shot by Henry (@late2wenty).

As a jolly-holiday treat…

…forecasts predict that a powerful storm will hit the region the day after Santa’s visit on Boxing Day.

According to forecasts, heavy snow will roll in from Thursday and continue through to the end of the week, adding more powder to the already impressive snow totals.

This “white Christmas storm” promises to deliver perfect conditions for post-holiday riding, making Hakuba THE best place to be to work off those additional servings of Christmas pud.

Ho-ho-ho, snow-snow-snow keeps coming!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The larger-than-usual snowfall numbers this early in the season are getting everyone in the holiday spirit, and we can’t wait for what’s to come. All resorts are receiving fantastic conditions, and with the storm, things are set to get even better. 

Detailed forecast: Check out the detailed daily forecast here.

Lift Status: Hakuba Valley website here.

Prime conditions during an early-season bluebird! Shot by Henry (@late2wenty).
Jolly good start to the season. Shot by Henry (@late2wenty).

If you’re planning a trip, early-season conditions are pointing to this being THE year to book. Click the button below to request a free quote.

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Kate McRobie

Marketing and Brand Manager

Kate McRobie is a digital marketing specialist with over ten years' experience across New Zealand, Amsterdam and Japan in the sports and snow industries, including campaigns for Netflix, Under Armour, Giant Bicycles and Vans. She spent two back-to-back seasons based in Niseko, Japan, heading up marketing for HTM across some of the region's largest hotels, ski schools, rental operations and restaurants.

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nicky sullivan
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Lizzie was so helpful, gave us some options and advice to help us pinpoint where we wanted to go. And once we had booked provided some really helpful travel advice and answering questions we had. Easy to deal with, everything was smooth and we had a great time.
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Shelly Drewitz
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Calum was awesome at helping us every step of the way with our trip. We got a great deal on the accommodation and ski lift, and we will definitely come back to Mountainwatch next time based on his excellent service.
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Mark K Grant
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I booked my Japan ski holiday through Mountainwatch. Very professional and when we arrived in Japan all was laid out for us. The accommodation was even nicer than expected. KIrsty was very good to work with and made things very easy!!!! will book again next season.
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Jess
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Great experience booking through this company, our contact Anna was brilliant, and organised a fantastic ski trip for us. The travel was all clearly laid out, the accommodation was lovely, the ski field was fantastic, great range of local dining options and bars.
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Brett A
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Mountain Watch are great, well organised and excellent advice on locations and accommodation. Highly recommended!
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darren martin
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Thanks Kirsty for helping arrange our family trip to Myoko for Xmas 2025, we had an amazing time
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Jan Kelly
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Thanks Kirsty, once again your arrangements for us in Japan worked very well. We’ll have no hesitation about touching base with you before we make another booking….. not sure if we’ll be organised by June, but we’ll see. Have a great season yourself and keep up the good work at MountainWatch. Regards Jan and Tom
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Samantha Farr
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Our trip to Hakuba and Tokyo was so smooth and easy thanks to the help of Justine. Hotel was great and in a perfect location and it was very smooth having all our extras like lessons and rentals booked and sorted before we arrived. Would 100% book through Mountainwatch Travel again!
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John Durham
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This is the second year that Kristy has organized travel arrangements for a skiing holiday to Furano in Japan, for us. It is the second time that those arrangements have been fulfilled seamlessly. No hassles, as planned and on time. Perfect, and will use Mountainwatchj Travel again. John Durham
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Simone B
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We booked through Anna O’Malley for our stay in Nozawa onsen Village in Japan. Seamless service, prompt, and pricing reasonable. The Shimataya View Hotel, was a lovely stay. Room size was large, great views, and Amazing service from Staff. Momoi and Eloisa couldn’t help enough- from dinner reservations to organising luggage to Tokyo. Property is older, though clean, well maintained. 10 min walk to slopes, 5 min walk to village centre. I recommend Mountain Watch, and this property. Photos are the view from our room.
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