Last Updated on February 27, 2026 by Vlad
🌡️ UPDATE: February 27, 2026 – The Honest Reality
Eleven days on from my last update, and I need to be straight with you: snow conditions have deteriorated significantly across Japan.
The warm spell I warned about in mid-February? It arrived with a vengeance. We’ve had double-digit temperatures in Yuzawa, Hakuba, and Nozawa Onsen last week and this week. Even Hokkaido saw high single-digit temps – and for Hokkaido, that’s serious.
It wasn’t just warm. There was rain. Skiers on social media are reporting slush everywhere, uncomfortably hot conditions, and brown spots appearing at lower elevations. The kind of skiing where you’re peeling off layers by 10am and questioning why you’re out there.
The damage (compared to Feb 16):
Hokkaido – finally got hit:
- Niseko Peak: 390cm → 355cm (-35cm)
- Niseko Base: 170cm → 95cm (-75cm – absolutely hammered)
- Rusutsu: 195-260cm → 155-220cm (significant losses)
- Furano Base: 110cm → 90cm (-20cm)
Honshu – the deterioration continues:
- Myoko: 345cm → 325cm (-20cm – even the invincible one took a hit)
- Kagura Summit: 350cm → 300cm (-50cm)
- Kagura Base: 270cm → 220cm (-50cm)
- Happo-One Kurobashi: 305cm → 255cm (-50cm)
- Nozawa Onsen bottom: 145cm → 85cm (-60cm)
- Gala Yuzawa: 280cm → 220cm (-60cm)
Critical base areas (barely hanging on):
- Happo-One Nakiyama: 35cm
- Goryu base: 55cm
- Tsugaike village: 45cm
- Nozawa Onsen bottom: 85cm
The forecast: Some significant snow is in sight from around March the 7th. However, temperatures are expected to remain above seasonal norms.
The reality: Upper mountain areas are still okay for skiing and snowboarding – especially early in the day before it gets hot. But lower elevations? They’re suffering. This is late February doing what late February sometimes does in Japan, just earlier and harder than usual.
Current Conditions (27 February 2026)
Here’s where things stand today. It’s not pretty at lower elevations, but upper mountains are still skiable if you’re strategic about timing.
Hokkaido Resorts – No Longer the Safe Haven
Niseko (Hirafu)
- Peak: 355cm (down from 390cm)
- Base: 95cm (down from 170cm – lost 75cm in 11 days)
- Warm temps and rain have hit hard
- Upper mountain still okay early in the day
- Base areas soft and slushy
Rusutsu
- Total seasonal snowfall: 880-1160cm – extraordinary
- Current snow on ground: 155-220cm (down from 195-260cm)
- Full terrain operating
- Lost significant depth to the warm spell
- Upper elevations holding better than base
Furano
- Summit: 190cm (down from 215cm)
- Base: 90cm (down from 110cm)
- Similar story – upper okay, lower struggling
Honshu Resorts – Upper Mountains vs Lower Slopes
Lower elevations are done. Upper elevations are still skiable if you go out early before temperatures climb.
Myoko (Akakura Onsen)
- Current depth: 325cm (down from 345cm)
- Still the deepest in Honshu. The place to be at the moment
- Even Myoko couldn’t fully escape the warm spell
Kagura (Mt Naeba)
- Summit: 300cm (down from 350cm – lost 50cm)
- Base: 220cm (down from 270cm)
- Upper areas are still perfectly fine
- Lower areas getting slightly slushy by midday
Hakuba Valley Snow Conditions
Upper elevations doing okay, lower areas in trouble:
Happo-One:
- Kurobashi: 255cm (down from 305cm – lost 50cm)
- Usagidaira: 98cm (down from 124cm)
- Nakiyama: 35cm (down from 62cm – critical)
Hakuba 47:
280cm top / 140cm base (top still okay early, base soft)
Goryu:
270cm top / 55cm base (massive gap)
Tsugaike Kogen:
- Summit: 190cm (down from 221cm)
- Village: 45cm (down from 65cm – brown spots appearing)
The Hakuba reality: If you’re here, ski Kurobashi or the top of Hakuba 47 in the morning. Avoid base areas and lower runs after 11am.
If you’re planning a Hakuba trip and want to know what else to do beyond the slopes, my Hakuba winter guide covers everything from family-friendly activities to where to eat.
Nozawa Onsen
- Current depths: 85-210cm (down from 145-255cm)
- Lost 60cm at the bottom
- Upper mountain still good snow
- Lower slopes slushy
Shiga Kogen
- Snow accumulation: 90-180cm (holding from Feb 16)
- Variable conditions
- Upper areas still reasonable
Zao Onsen Ski Resort (Tohoku)
- Current depth: 160cm (down from 175cm)
- Feeling the warm weather too
- Still a decent option if you’re looking beyond the usual suspects
Yuzawa Area
Gala Yuzawa
- Current depth: 220cm (down from 280cm – lost 60cm of snow)
- Still very skiable
- Lower runs getting rough by afternoon
Yuzawa Kogen
- Plateau: 200cm (down from 220cm)
- Mountain base: 100cm (stable)
- Good skiing
My Japanese friends were supposed to go to Yuzawa Kogen for skiing this week, but have cancelled their plans due to warm weather.
Tokyo-Area Day Trip Resorts
Yeti (Mount Fuji area)
- Current depth: Up to 90cm (down from 100cm)
Fujiten (Mount Fuji area)
- Current depth: 120cm (stable with artificial snow)
- Artificial snow making keeping it going
If you’re based in Tokyo and looking for day trip options with kids, my guide to the best snow day trips from Tokyo with kids covers all your options – though with current conditions, you’ll want to check individual resort snow reports before heading out.
Current Snow Depths (27 Feb 2026)
| Resort | Snow Depth | Status | Change from Feb 16 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niseko (Hirafu) Peak | 355cm | Declining | -35cm ⬇️ |
| Myoko Akakura Onsen | 325cm | Declining | -20cm ⬇️ |
| Kagura Summit | 300cm | Declining | -50cm ⬇️ |
| Hakuba 47 (Top) | 280cm | Declining | -15cm ⬇️ |
| Goryu (Top) | 270cm | Declining | -20cm ⬇️ |
| Happo-One (Kurobashi) | 255cm | Declining | -50cm ⬇️ |
| Kagura Base | 220cm | Declining | -50cm ⬇️ |
| Gala Yuzawa | 220cm | Declining | -60cm ⬇️ |
| Nozawa Onsen (Top) | 210cm | Declining | -45cm ⬇️ |
| Yuzawa Kogen Plateau | 200cm | Declining | -20cm ⬇️ |
| Rusutsu (current depth) | 155-220cm | Declining | Variable* ⬇️ |
| Furano Summit | 190cm | Declining | -25cm ⬇️ |
| Tsugaike Summit | 190cm | Declining | -31cm ⬇️ |
| Shiga Kogen (Top) | 180cm | Stable | Holding |
| Zao Onsen | 160cm | Declining | -15cm ⬇️ |
| Hakuba 47 (Base) | 140cm | Struggling | -10cm ⬇️ |
| Fujiten (Mt Fuji) | 120cm | Artificial | Stable |
| Shiga Kogen (Lower) | 110cm | Declining | -10cm ⬇️ |
| Yuzawa Kogen Base | 100cm | Struggling | Stable |
| Happo-One (Usagidaira) | 98cm | Struggling | -26cm ⬇️ |
| Niseko (Hirafu) Base | 95cm | Critical | -75cm ⬇️⬇️ |
| Yeti (Mt Fuji) | 90cm | Critical | -10cm ⬇️ |
| Furano Base | 90cm | Struggling | -20cm ⬇️ |
| Nozawa Onsen (Bottom) | 85cm | Critical | -60cm ⬇️⬇️ |
| Goryu (Base) | 55cm | Critical | -45cm ⬇️⬇️ |
| Tsugaike Village | 45cm | Critical | -20cm ⬇️ |
| Happo-One (Nakiyama) | 35cm | Critical | -27cm ⬇️⬇️ |
Bottom Line: Significant deterioration across Japan. Warm weather (double digits in Honshu, high single digits in Hokkaido) plus rain has caused some big snow losses, especially at base areas. Niseko base lost 75cm in 11 days. Lower elevations are struggling badly with slush and brown spots. Upper elevations still good. No snow forecast for the next 7 days. Season unfortunately appears to be winding down earlier than normal.
What This Means for Your Trip
If You Have a Trip Booked in the Next Week or Two
Be realistic about what you’re getting. This isn’t peak powder Japan anymore. This is late-season, spring-like skiing – even though it’s still February.
If you’re going:
- Ski early – Get out at 8am, be done by 11am before it gets warm
- Stick to upper mountains – Kurobashi, top of Hakuba 47, Myoko summit, Kagura summit
- Avoid lower elevations entirely – They’re slushy, patchy, and unpleasant
- Consider whether it’s worth it – Honestly, if you haven’t booked flights yet, this might not be the year
For families with kids and snow play:
- Upper mountain areas still have snow for sledding and snow play
- But conditions will be wet and heavy, not the light powder experience
- Base areas are too thin and patchy for proper snow play
- If you’re near Tokyo, check out my guide to the best snow day trips from Tokyo with kids for accessible options
Packing reality: You’ll need layers you can shed. T-shirt skiing is a real possibility on warm afternoons. My Winter Japan Packing Checklist Generator can help.
If You’re Planning Late February or March
The season is winding down faster than normal. Upper elevations will continue to have snow, but conditions will be spring-like at best unless weather Gods change their mind.
Hokkaido will still be worth it if you stick to upper mountains, but it’s not the sure thing it usually is this year.
Honshu is increasingly marginal unless you’re very targeted about where and when you ski.
My Winter in Japan with Kids guide has alternatives for winter trips that don’t rely on perfect snow conditions.
What’s Still Worth It?
Myoko Akakura Onsen at 325cm is still the deepest in Honshu. If you’re committed to skiing in Honshu and going early in the day, this is your best bet.
Kagura summit at 300cm and Happo-One Kurobashi at 255cm are the other upper mountain options worth considering for early morning sessions.
Rusutsu with 880-1160cm total seasonal snowfall is still remarkable, even if current depths have dropped. Upper elevations still have snow.
Want to know where else you can find snow in Japan beyond the ski resorts? Check out my guide to the best places to see snow in Japan for alternatives.
Planning a winter trip to Japan? Check out my Winter in Japan hub for guides, packing lists, and everything you need for a snow-filled adventure.
Planning a family trip? My Winter in Japan with Kids guide has everything you need for travelling with little ones in the snow.