When to Come to Niseko in Winter

It can be very difficult to know when to come to Niseko. Weather is an uncontrollable variable and if you are new to skiing or snowboarding it can be tough to know what kind of snow conditions are best for learning in. We have put together a detailed report of the five different periods during a winter season with the pros and cons of each. Make sure you scroll to the end, where we have additional tips for choosing a period for your stay.

Temperature - In the village, temperature ranges between a normal average high of 6°C and a normal average low of -1°C (November) and between a normal average high of -1°C and a normal average low of -7°C (December).

Snowfall - November averages 18 days of precipitation (rain or snow depending on the temperature) and December averages 23.

This period can see extremely rapid snow coverage once the temperature drops and stabilizes below 0°C. Lift opening was delayed last year, but the slopes saw a lot of snowfall shortly after their opening.

While we have many guests at this time, there are much fewer crowds. Lines at lifts are short or non-existent.

Restaurants - Most restaurants will be operating by the start of December, many will be operating before then. Many restaurants will not require reservations, but it is still advisable to make your reservations ahead of time.

Night Skiing - Unavailable (usually begins mid-December)

Lifts - Limited. The earliest lifts are scheduled to open with the Japanese national holiday in Japan (late November), and the remaining lifts will open over the course of December. The Hirafu Gondola usually begins scheduled operation early in December. For the lift schedule, please click here. Please remember that the lifts are subject to weather conditions, regardless of the time of year.

Ki Niseko Shuttle Bus - Usually available after December 1st. Service for the first week or two will be based upon demand and may rely on request pick-up. For the Ki Niseko Shuttle Bus Schedule, click here.

Free Village Shuttle Bus - Unavailable (usually begins mid-December)

Backcountry Gates - Backcountry gates will be open subject to weather conditions. Many backcountry or sidecountry areas need a good base of snow before they can be opened to the public. If you are planning to leave resort area boundaries, please be sure to follow the Niseko Rules and check the daily avalanche report.

Temperature - In the village, temperatures ranges between a normal average high of -1°C and a normal average low of -7°C.

Snowfall - December averages 23 days of falling precipitation. You can expect that most of the days during your stay it will snow.

This period can see extremely large snowfalls, which can change conditions daily.

Guest numbers will be increasing, but still not as high as Peak Powder Season. There are few crowds and lines at lifts are short to non-existent.

Restaurants - All restaurants should be operating by now. Many will not require reservations, but the later half of this period will be much harder to find seats without previously arranged reservations. It is advisable to book ahead through our Concierge Team.

Night Skiing - Available daily between 16:30 and 20:30.

Lifts - Most lifts will be operational. Lift closure is subject to weather conditions. For Grand Hirafu's lift schedule, please click here.

Ki Niseko Shuttle Bus - Running as scheduled. For the Ki Niseko Shuttle Bus Schedule, click here.

Free Village Shuttle Bus - Running as scheduled.

Backcountry Gates - Backcountry gates will be open subject to weather conditions. Many backcountry or sidecountry areas need a good base of snow before they can be opened to the public. If you are planning to leave resort area boundaries, please be sure to follow the Niseko Rules and check the daily avalanche report.

Temperature - In the village, temperatures ranges between a normal average high of -1°C and a normal average low of -7°C (December) and between a normal average high of -2°C and a normal average low of -10°C (February). On the mountain, temperatures can be even lower.

Snowfall - January averages 24 days and February averages 20 days of falling precipitation. You can expect that most of the days during your stay it will snow.

This period can see extremely large snowfalls. Strong winds can result in lifts at the peak being closed. As most days see snowfall, sunny conditions are rare.

Guest numbers spike around holidays, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Chinese New Year's.

This is the most popular period for our guests. The village and mountain can become a little crowded at times. Lifts will typically have lines.

Restaurants - All restaurants should be operating. Many will require reservations, especially the most well known. It is strongly recommended to book ahead through our Concierge Team.

Night Skiing - Available daily between 16:30 and 20:30.

Lifts - All lifts will be operational, subject to weather conditions. For the lift schedule, please click here.

Ki Niseko Shuttle Bus - Running as scheduled. For the Ki Niseko Shuttle Bus Schedule, click here.

Free Village Shuttle Bus - Running as scheduled.

Backcountry Gates - Backcountry gates will open and skiing or snowboarding off-piste will be possible. If you are planning to leave resort area boundaries, please be sure to follow the Niseko Rules and check the daily avalanche report.

Temperature - In the village, temperatures range between a normal average high of -2°C and a normal average low of -10°C (February) and between a normal average high of 1°C and a normal average low of -7°C (March).

Snowfall - February averages 20 days and March averages 17 days of falling precipitation.

Large periods of snowfall are not uncommon, meaning fresh powder will continue to fall until the end of March. As there are fewer days of snowfall in March, it means more days of sunny skiing and snowboarding.

Guest numbers will be lower than during Peak Powder Season. There are typically fewer crowds during the Sunny Season and lines at the lifts begin to disappear. After Mid-March, the village becomes much quieter.

Restaurants - All restaurants should be operating. Many will not require reservations, but the later half of this period will be much harder to find seats without previously arranged reservations. It is advisable to book ahead through our Concierge Team.

Night Skiing - Available daily between 16:30 and 20:30. Night skiing usually comes to an end on near the end of March.

Lifts - The majority of lifts will be operational (only two smaller lifts will not be running). For the lift schedule, please click here.

Ki Niseko Shuttle Bus - Running as scheduled. For the Ki Niseko Shuttle Bus Schedule, click here.

Free Village Shuttle Bus - Running as scheduled. Service usually stops near the end of March.

Backcountry Gates - Backcountry gates will open and skiing or snowboarding off-piste will be possible (pending snow conditions). If you are planning to leave resort area boundaries, please be sure to follow the Niseko Rules and check the daily avalanche report.

Temperature - In the village, temperatures range between a normal average high of 9°C and a normal average low of 0°C (April) and between a normal average high of 15°C and a normal average low of 5°C (May).

Snowfall - April averages 10 days and May averages 9 days of falling precipitation.

Lifts will begin to close during this period, but are not scheduled to fully close until early-May (in line with the Japanese 'Golden Week' holiday). As temperature rises, the risk of rain increases and threatens snow conditions. The reduced days of falling precipitation means more days of sunny skiing and snowboarding.

Come April, guest numbers really taper off.

Restaurants - Many will begin to close up, especially towards the end of April. Reservations at the restaurants that are open are likely unnecessary, but it is recommended to make reservations as you can guarantee that they are open during your stay.

Night Skiing - Unavailable.

Lifts - The majority of lifts close over the course of April, only the main centre lifts will continue operation (Grand-Hirafu). For the schedule, please click here.

Ki Niseko Shuttle Bus - Usually unavailable from April 1st.

Free Village Shuttle Bus - Unavailable.

Backcountry Gates - Backcountry gates and off-piste availability will depend on snow conditions. If you are planning to leave resort area boundaries, please be sure to follow the Niseko Rules and check the daily avalanche report.

If you are new to skiing and snowboarding, and Niseko is where you are coming to learn, it can be tempting to dive into the crowds and try and make a booking in the most popular Peak Powder Season. However, if you are looking for an easier time finding ski/snowboard lessons and fewer crowds to reduce your anxiety when going down the slope your first time, then you might want to consider some of the quieter times.

The Sunny Season, February and March, is one of the nicest seasons on the mountain. Snow continues to fall and fresh powder is something that can be found, but the odds of having a clear, bright day on the slopes increases drastically. For a first-timer these conditions are really ideal as daylight lasts longer. If you are sticking to the groomed courses, snow conditions during the Sunny Season and the Peak Powder Season are very similar.

If you are new to Niseko powder, but not new to skiing and boarding, than you probably have it in your mind that Peak Powder Season is the only time for you. While Peak Powder Season does live true to its name, it is also the busiest time of year in Niseko and that can make finding fresh powder a challenge, too.

Consider the Early Powder Season or early in the Sunny Season as these periods also normally see bountiful amounts of the much sought after powder snow.

As with those new to Niseko, if you have been here before you probably know just when you want to come and just what spots you will go to as you carve your path down the mountain. Don't forget that the powder snow continues to fall even after the Peak Powder Season rolls into the Sunny Season. If you have been here before, you know how dark the sky can be when each day of your stay is met by new flurries of fresh snow. You might find yourself enjoying the extra day or two of sunny skiing/snowboarding that you get in the Sunny Season and it is a time worth your consideration, too.

• Try the Night Skiing. If the image at the top of the page doesn't make you want to give it a try, than we don't know what will! It really is fantastic.
• Come twice in one year! If you are big on skiing or snowboarding, giving yourself a chance to try out a new season within our long winter is really in your best interest. Early Powder Season and Sunny Season both have a lot to offer!
• Book your restaurant reservations ahead of time! An Dining and other popular local restaurants fill up fast. Don't wait too long to make your reservations.
• As with above, book your private or group lessons well in advance! If you are coming during any of the busier seasonal periods, you will find availability can become limited the later you leave your reservations. Contact our Concierge Team and they can help you make all of the arrangements for rentals, lessons and more!