When Does It Start Snowing in Niseko? Six Years of December Snow Depth and How to Check Today's Snow (2026-27)

In Niseko (Kutchan), snow starts falling in November, and it starts staying on the ground in town between the end of November and early December. The Japan Meteorological Agency's normals give 95cm of snowfall in November and 253cm in December, but over the last six years the snow depth on 10 December ranged from 12cm to 67cm.

Singapore's primary and secondary schools break for the year-end holidays on 21 November 2026 (Ministry of Education). If you're looking at late November or early December with the kids, this is written for those dates. It uses Kutchan's own weather records to show when snow is likely, what to settle before you book, and how to check the snow right before you fly (checked 5 October 2026). If you land in November, here's what's actually open in Niseko in November.

Snow by month (Kutchan climate normals)

These are the Japan Meteorological Agency's normals for Kutchan (1991–2020) (JMA).

• October: snowfall 2cm, max depth 1cm, average 9.7°C
• November: snowfall 95cm, max depth 36cm, average 2.9°C
• December: snowfall 253cm, max depth 99cm, average -3.1°C
• January: snowfall 253cm, max depth 155cm, average -5.4°C
• February: snowfall 187cm, max depth 181cm, average -4.9°C
• March: snowfall 122cm, max depth 170cm, average -1.0°C

Snow falls on about 17 days in November, 29 in December and 31 in January (2006–2020 average). From December, it's snowing somewhere almost every day. These figures come from the weather station in Kutchan town; the upper slopes sit higher and colder, and get more snow than town does. So if there's snow on the ground in town, there's more on the mountain. For why it snows this much, see why Niseko snow is so light.

Late November and December over the last six years

A 30-year average won't necessarily match the year you travel. So I pulled November and December for 2020–2025 from the same Kutchan station's daily records (JMA daily data).

| Year | Last day the ground was bare | Depth on 10 Dec | Depth on 20 Dec | Depth on 31 Dec | |---|---|---|---|---| | 2020 | 29 Nov | 20cm | 92cm | 119cm | | 2021 | 22 Nov | 12cm | 64cm | 109cm | | 2022 | 29 Nov | 67cm | 86cm | 116cm | | 2023 | 23 Nov | 13cm | 62cm | 82cm | | 2024 | 28 Nov | 61cm | 118cm | 135cm | | 2025 | 1 Dec | 34cm | 40cm | 50cm |

In all six years, the November snow melted away at least once. The ground was last bare between 22 November and 1 December, so snow didn't stick before the very end of November. On 10 December, depth topped 50cm in only two of the six years. By 20 December, it was over 60cm in five of them.

December 2025 was a thin one: the deepest day of the month reached 56cm, and New Year's Eve had 50cm. For early December, "some years you can ski, some years town has barely any snow" is the honest reading. If I were planning a family trip around snow, I'd book from mid-December.

Resorts plan to open 28 November, snow permitting

Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu's 2026–27 season is planned for 28 November 2026 to 5 May 2027, and the resort itself says opening dates may move depending on snow (Grand Hirafu). Night skiing is planned from 12 December.

Last year, the date did move. In 2025–26, Hanazono postponed its planned 29 November opening for lack of snow (Hanazono's notice) and opened part of its terrain on 5 December (HANAZONO). Grand Hirafu had also planned 29 November (Tokyu press release), but opened on 4 December, with only the Ace Gondola, Ace Lift No. 3 and the Center Course (Kutchan Tourism Association). Even on opening day, you get a few runs. Waiting for the whole mountain takes longer.

On price, 12–23 December is the sweet spot

The 2026–27 Niseko United All-Mountain Pass has three price levels across early winter (Niseko United).

• Early (28 Nov – 11 Dec): adult 1-day ¥8,800, child (4–12) ¥5,300. Not sold online
• Regular (12–23 Dec): adult ¥12,600, child ¥7,600
• Peak (24 Dec – 28 Feb): adult ¥13,500, child ¥8,100

For two adults and two kids for one day, that's ¥28,200 in Early, ¥40,400 in Regular and ¥43,200 in Peak. Early is cheaper because fewer runs may be open. From 12 to 23 December, the last six years say snow is building, night skiing has started, and an adult day costs ¥900 less than Peak. For crowds and accommodation prices across the whole winter, see when is the best time to visit Niseko?

Coming late November or early December? Settle this before you book

Some families can only travel in early December because of school dates. If that's you, check the cancellation terms on your accommodation and flights first, so you know whether you can move the dates if snow is thin. Refund deadlines and change fees differ from place to place.

Early-season passes aren't sold online, so you can buy them on arrival, after you see which runs are open, for just the days you'll ski. Plan half your days as ski days and half as non-ski days, and a thin year won't wreck the trip.

How to check the snow before you fly

• Resort official sites: opening announcements, lift status and live cameras
• [Niseko Avalanche Info](https://niseko.nadare.info/): every morning in season, the Niseko Avalanche Institute posts mountain weather and snow conditions
• [Niseko Hub's "Niseko today"](https://niseko-hub.com/en/visit): in winter, Kutchan's snow depth (JMA observations), weather, lifts and roads on one page

From mid-November, check the town's snow depth on "Niseko today" every day, and you'll see whether it's building or being washed down by rain. Niseko Avalanche Info is written for people heading out through the backcountry gates. If your family is sticking to marked runs, use it for a feel of the weather and snow up top.

What if it's a low-snow year?

If you land in a year like December 2025, check which resorts and runs are open and stick to one resort. Even last year, Grand Hirafu and Hanazono were running on part of their terrain by 4–5 December.

Days you can't ski can go to onsen, Kutchan town or a day trip to Otaru. Things that don't need snow are in what to do in Niseko if you're not skiing. Anything that does need snow, like snowshoeing, is best booked after you've seen that day's depth.

FAQ

When does it start snowing in Niseko?

In November. Kutchan's normals give 95cm of snowfall in November, with snow on about 17 days. But in all six years from 2020 to 2025, the November snow melted at least once, and it only stayed from the end of November or early December.

Is there snow in Niseko in December?

Yes. December averages 253cm of snowfall and a maximum depth of 99cm. Years vary a lot: snow depth in Kutchan on 10 December ranged from 12cm to 67cm over the last six years. By 20 December, it was over 60cm in five of the six.

When is the snow deepest in Niseko?

February. Kutchan's average maximum depth is 181cm.

When do the ski resorts open?

Grand Hirafu plans to open the 2026–27 season on 28 November, depending on snow. In 2025–26 both had planned 29 November, but opened later: Grand Hirafu on 4 December and Hanazono on 5 December. Hanazono's delay was due to lack of snow.

— Niseko Hub Editorial Team