By Rhiannon James
in
Snow News
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Feb 26, 2026
Weekly Snow News for Asia, updated 26 February 2026: Japan’s snowfall slows but Seki Onsen holds 610cm (244″) base as Niseko scores 45cm (18″) refresh.
Madarao, Japan: 21st February 2026.
Japan’s record snow season begins to ease Seki Onsen still holds the world’s deepest base Honshu turns milder as spring edges closer Niseko and Rusutsu add another solid refresh Japan Intro
With the seasonal transition approaching, snowfall across Japan has slowed compared to the relentless pace seen earlier this winter. While decent dumps continue to arrive between sunny spells, base depths have stabilised through much of February after rapid growth last month.
Myoko’s Seki Onsen (610/610cm / 244/244″) continues to post the deepest base in the world and remains the only resort currently above five metres (200″). Most Japanese ski areas are fully open.
Japan Snow Report
With the turn in the seasons fast approaching, there’s definitely been a slowdown in snowfall across Japan. There are still decent dumps occurring, with sunny days in between, but base depths are little changed over much of February now, following their rapid growth last month. Myoko’s Seki onsen (610/610cm / 244/244″) continues to post the world’s deepest base, however, and is currently the only resort with a base above five metres (200″). Most Japanese ski areas are fully open.
Internationally best-known Niseko (210/295cm / 84/118″) posted one of the country’s biggest snowfalls of the past week, scoring 45cm (18″) in 48 hours. Its Hokkaido neighbour Rusutsu posted 40cm (16”) in the same period – so healthy accumulations still, but not on the scale they were in January. It’s been drier and milder in Honshu, with resorts in Nagano seeing temperatures climb to 5-10 degrees above freezing in the afternoons, with, unfortunately, reports of rain rather than snow showers at times.
Madarao, Japan: 21st February 2026.
Japan Forecast
A wintry, changeable end to the week unfolds across Japan’s mountains, with a clear split between Hokkaido and Honshu. In Hokkaido, cold air dominates: upper slopes frequently sit between –18°C and –8°C, with bases ranging from –12°C to –3°C. Light to moderate winds and periodic snow showers keep conditions consistently powder friendly.
Further south on Honshu, temperatures are more variable, with mountain levels typically –14°C to –4°C and bases fluctuating from –8°C up to 4°C depending on region and day. Snowfall is more intermittent here, alternating between clearer spells and occasional bursts of fresh snow, especially in the northern Tohoku and Niigata ranges.
Japan snow forecast for the next 12-15 days.
AloJapan.com