Japan snow forecast

19 resorts · ranked by live 10-day powder score · leading right now: Furano (0)

Japan is the deepest place on Earth to ride lifts. Siberian air crossing the warm Sea of Japan produces relentless, ultra-dry "Japow" — Hokkaido resorts like Niseko and Asahidake average 14–15 metres a season, and the Honshu snow-belt (Myoko, Nozawa, Hakuba) isn't far behind. The snow arrives in near-daily refills from late December through February rather than in big one-off storms, which makes Japan the most forgiving destination on the planet to book in advance.

Furano

Hokkaido · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Sea-effect, colder/drier than coastal Hokkaido

Kiroro

Hokkaido · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Sea-effect

Niseko United (Hirafu/Village/Hanazono/Annupuri)

Hokkaido · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Sea-effect (Siberian continental air over warm Sea of Japan)

Rusutsu

Hokkaido · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Sea-effect

Hakuba Valley (Happo-One + 9 linked resorts)

Nagano (Honshu) · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Honshu sea-effect (heavier, wetter dumps than Hokkaido)

Madarao

Nagano (Honshu) · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Honshu sea-effect

Nozawa Onsen

Nagano (Honshu) · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Honshu sea-effect

Shiga Kogen

Nagano (Honshu) · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Honshu, higher/colder microclimate

Myoko Kogen

Niigata (Honshu) · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Honshu sea-effect (often the heaviest of the Honshu resorts)

Zao Onsen

Yamagata (Honshu) · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Honshu, very cold

Asahidake

Hokkaido (Daisetsuzan) · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Sea-effect + high-elevation continental (coldest, driest snow in Japan)

Sapporo Teine

Hokkaido (Sapporo) · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Sea-effect (Ishikari Bay)

Sapporo Kokusai

Hokkaido (Jozankei / Sapporo) · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Sea-effect, elevated interior pocket

Kamui Ski Links

Hokkaido (Asahikawa) · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Sea-effect, colder interior Asahikawa snow

Tomamu (Hoshino Resorts)

Hokkaido (Shimukappu) · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Sea-effect fringe, central-Hokkaido cold (regularly -20°C)

Appi Kogen

Iwate (Tohoku, Honshu) · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Continental-leaning Tohoku (drier 'aspirin snow')

Geto Kogen

Iwate (Tohoku, Honshu) · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Sea-effect funnel (Ou range gap)

Kagura

Niigata (Yuzawa, Honshu) · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Honshu sea-effect (Yuzawa snow country)

Lotte Arai

Niigata (Myoko, Honshu) · Japan

0
Lean

0cm / 10d

No fresh snow in the outlook

Honshu sea-effect (among the heaviest in Japan)

Japan powder questions, answered

Which Japan ski resorts does Powder Mission track?+

19 ski areas including Furano, Kiroro, Niseko United (Hirafu/Village/Hanazono/Annupuri), Rusutsu, each scored on the live 10-day snow forecast — fresh snowfall, snow quality by temperature, and wind at summit — and re-ranked every 6 hours.

What is the snowiest ski resort in Japan?+

By average annual snowfall, Kiroro at around 1,600 cm a season. Averages set the baseline, but any resort can win a given week — the live powder score shows who is actually getting the storm.

When is the ski season in Japan?+

Most Japan resorts typically run Dec-Apr, though openings vary year to year with the snowpack. The 10-day powder score is live year-round, so you can see exactly when the season switches on.

Get an alert when Japan is about to go off.

Powder Mission will email you when a Japan resort crosses your powder threshold, with flight options from your home airport. Join the list to get alerts first.

Powder scores are free in open beta. One email when alerts go live, no spam.