Kiroro saw 10cm of snowfall in the last 24 hours. | Image: Kiroro Webcam
Just a week after several major ski resorts in Hokkaido, Japan, delayed their planned November 29 openings due to warm temperatures and rain, two of the region’s most prominent operators have announced new (partial) season-start dates.
Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu—the largest of the four resorts that make up Niseko United—announced today, Wednesday, December 3, that it will officially open for the 2025–26 winter season on Thursday, December 4.
Grand Hirafu’s opening details are as follows:
Operating hours: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Open lifts: Ace Gondola, Ace No. 3 Lift
Available ski course: Center Course
As of this update, no new opening announcements have been issued by the other three Niseko United areas—Niseko Hanazono, Niseko Annupuri, or Niseko Village—whose openings remain postponed until conditions improve. This marks the first major step forward for the Niseko area after repeated warm spells eroded the early-November snowpack and forced the widely reported November 29 delay.
Kiroro, which had previously postponed its November 29 opening but continued operating limited terrain for Club Med and Yukiroro guests, has now confirmed a full public opening on Saturday, December 6.
The lifts scheduled to operate are:
Yoichi No. 1 Express: 09:00–15:30
Yoichi No. 2 Lift: 09:15–15:30
Family Lift: 09:00–15:30
Gateway Express: 08:30–16:00
Kiroro’s announcement comes after the resort received 10 centimeters (4 inches) of snowfall today. With an estimated 30 centimeters (12 inches) of snowfall forecast for the next five days and the possibility for a major dump of more than 1 meter (3 feet) in the next two weeks, it looks like the Japanese ski season is playing catch-up quickly after the prolonged period of above-average temperatures in late November.
Rusutsu meanwhile has not issued an update yet but has seen 8 centimeters (3 inches) of snowfall in the last 24 hours. With around 20 centimeters (8 inches) forecast for the next five days, the resort opening is hopefully not far away.
Rusutsu saw around 8cm of snowfall in the last 24 hours. | Image: Rusutsu webcam
AloJapan.com