Once-in-20-Years Snowfall Sets the Stage for Niseko’s 2025 Season

By Kate McRobie Last updated March 23, 2026

Niseko’s Just Getting Started!

As we gear up to welcome 2025, Niseko is already celebrating with one of its best early-season snow starts in years!

By December 17th, the area had recorded an incredible 142cm of snow—its deepest early-season snowfall in over 70 years. Local reports call the conditions “ridiculous… in the best possible way,” with a staggering 291cm already covering the Higashiyama base. Niseko is setting records left, right, and centre!

But let’s be honest: numbers alone don’t tell the full story. It’s not just the snow totals—it’s the overall vibe within the resorts. Niseko is already delivering waist-deep Ja-POW, conditions usually reserved for peak season, and even the most seasoned riders are raving about it.

Deep turns during the first week of December perfectly captured by Henry (@late2wenty).

Epic Snowfall Continues!

And the best part? This is just the beginning! Snowstorm cycles are continuing to build a deep base, with rare breaks in the snow. Monday offers a brief respite—fingers, toes, skis, and boards crossed for the first bluebird powder day of the season!

The draw of Niseko isn’t just about its snow totals. Known for consistent powder, diverse terrain, and vibrant après-ski scene, Niseko is always a favourite for all levels of rider during the silly season.

What To Expect From New Year’s In Niseko:

If you’re in Niseko to ring in the New Year, you’re in luck! The conditions are perfect for getting first tracks or exploring Niseko’s world-renowned backcountry. The snow shows no signs of slowing down, promising epic conditions as we head into January and February— historically, the most powder-filled snowiest months.

Read on for the planned activities and events for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day!

Hanazono:

Niseko’s favourite holiday event features a dazzling fireworks display synced to festive music on December 28th and 31st at Hanazono Resort!

For more information, start times and other details, see here.

Hanazono Resort’s Impressive Fireworks Display is sure to delight! Image: Hanazono Resort.

Grand Hirafu:

Start 2025 with a perfect blend of tradition and celebration! Experience the vibrant energy of Taiko drumming on the slopes, marvel at a dazzling fireworks display, and toast the New Year with a traditional “Kagami-Biraki” sake tasting on January 1st.

For the full list of events, and schedule, please visit Grand Hirafu’s website here.

New Years Taiko Drumming. Image: Experience Niseko.

Annupuri:

Ring in 2025 with Annupuri’s Night Rider! Free night riding until 11 PM, followed by flaming torches lighting up the slopes, and an epic fireworks show to cap it all off.

More information, see here.

Torchlight skiers in formation to create the New Year. Image: Niseko United

Niseko Village:

Start your New Year the right way with Taiko drumming at Niseko Yo and the chance to get the first tracks of 2025 via the sunrise gondola at 6:30 AM.

More information, see here.

Niseko Live Snow Updates

Want to stay in the loop? Niseko United’s live web cams are a perfect way to view live snow conditions in all four resorts.

Also, don’t forget to check out Grasshopper’s weekly snow reports on Mountainwatch for detailed information on snow depths, temperatures, and the latest weather outlooks all throughout Japan.

Final Forecast – We’re Just Getting Started!

Looking ahead, Niseko is set for MUCH more snow, with forecasts predicting continued heavy snowfall throughout the week and into the New Year.

If this early-season snow is any indication, it’s shaping up to be one of the best years yet for Niseko’s legendary powder. Already planning your trip? Be sure to check out our Essential Guide to Niseko here, for all the tips you need for an amazing holiday.

Haven’t booked yet? Don’t worry—there’s still time! Click below to inquire about our last remaining packages for Niseko this season.

Discover Niseko Packages

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.

nicky sullivan

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.

Shelly Drewitz

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.

Mark K Grant

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.

Jess

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.

Brett A

Mountain Watch are great, well organised and excellent advice on locations and accommodation. Highly recommended!

darren martin

Thanks Kirsty for helping arrange our family trip to Myoko for Xmas 2025, we had an amazing time

Jan Kelly

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

Samantha Farr

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!

John Durham

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

Simone B

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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Once-in-20-Years Snowfall Sets the Stage for Niseko’s 2025 Season

Niseko’s Just Getting Started!

Epic Snowfall Continues!

What To Expect From New Year’s In Niseko:

Hanazono:

Grand Hirafu:

Annupuri:

Niseko Village:

Niseko Live Snow Updates

Final Forecast – We’re Just Getting Started!

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