Japan Weekly Roundup #280
Updated February 12, 2025: Japan’s snow depths hit record highs, with Niigata’s Arai Ski Area boasting a 610cm (20ft) base—double the global average. Read now to find out what's happening.
Japan leads the world in snow depths with 6m base at Polkus
- Niigata’s record snowfall surpasses 20 feet with more on the way
- Hokkaido and mainland Japan see daily snowfalls up to 40 inches
- Siberian Express delivers nonstop powder, creating the best conditions in years
- Hakuba and Niseko thriving with all runs open and continuous snowfall
JAPAN REPORT
Japan continues to top the world’s snow depth tables after more huge snowfalls over the past week, with reports of up to 1 metre (40”) of snowfall in 24 hours. Niigata continues to post the country’s deepest snowpacks—which are about double the most that’s lying anywhere else in the world. At Arai Ski Area, near the ski town of Myoko, there is a base depth of 610cm (over 20 feet), with Charmant Hiuchi Ski Area near Itoigawa City coming in second with a 560cm base. Ski areas in Nagano, host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, are also experiencing substantial snow depths, with the renowned resort of Happo-One in the Hakuba Valley boasting 5.5 meters. The 6m/200 feet Polkus base is believed to be the deepest recorded base worldwide in several years. Japan's ski areas have been experiencing remarkable snowfalls over the past few months. While much coverage has been given to the northern island of Hokkaido, known for ski areas like Niseko (145/250cm / 58/140”), which currently has every run open, the deepest snow depths are actually being observed in Niigata Prefecture, north of Tokyo on the Japanese mainland. This region is benefiting from a weather phenomenon known as the Siberian Express, where dry air blowing east across central and eastern Asia hits the Sea of Japan, then rises and releases abundant snowfall upon encountering Japan's mountainous coastline.
JAPAN FORECAST
Snow is expected to keep falling daily in Hokkaido, with temperatures ranging from freezing down to -15°C and accumulations of 10-20cm (4-8”) every 24 hours. Snowfalls will be a little less constant on the Japanese mainland to the south. Here, daytime temperatures will reach +5°C, although overnight lows will still dip to -10°C or below, with snowfalls similar to those in Hokkaido.
