Japan's Snowpack Update: Record-Setting Depths & Fresh Powder Ahead
Updated March 5, 2025: Japan’s deepest snowpack just hit 790cm (311”). While some bases settle, fresh snow is coming—expect up to 15cm (6”) daily this week.
- Japan Snow Depths Dip, but Daily Fresh Falls Keep Winter Alive
- Tengendai Kogen Extends Record - Deepest Base Climbs Another 40cm
- Rain Hits Hakuba, But Snowy Days Signal Spring Settling Begins
- Winter Fights Back - Freezing Temps & Daily Snow Ahead for Japan
- 6m Snow Bases Shrink in Niigata—Is Spring Creeping In?
JAPAN REPORT
It's been a drier week in Japan, at least in terms of base building, with many ski areas posting lower base depth stats this week than last. It has kept dumping on several days over the past week so perhaps it is a sign of spring conditions starting to move to the fore, with all that snow starting to settle. On top of that, there have unfortunately been periods of rain reported at times across the country's ski slopes, with the Hakuba Valley one of the areas affected. The world’s deepest reported depth this season, and for several recent seasons at Tengendai Kogen Ski Area (250/750cm / 100/300”) at Yonezawa City in Yamagata, is up 40cm (16”) more than a week ago, but the number of areas in Niigata prefecture that had been posting 6m (20ft+) bases has dropped a little.
JAPAN FORECAST
It’s looking like a wintery end to the week, with daytime highs close to freezing right down to the valley floor and overnight lows down to -15C. Snowfalls of 5-15cm (2-6”) are expected daily through into next week for many areas.
