Niseko United opens for winter 2022/23!

December, 7th 2022

The snow arrived just in time! Niseko United opened and started spinning the chairlifts on December 3rd, 2022. A few warm spells in November slowed down the growth of the base of snow. However, when we saw the forecast for early December, we knew the famous Niseko “snow machine” would turn on!

Both Niseko Village and Annupuri were able to open a few chair lifts on the scheduled opening date of December 3rd. The groomed runs were fast, fun, and filled with locals enjoying their first slide on the mountain. There was even some light and fluffy powder to ride! Grand Hirafu followed by opening the Ace Family Quad on December 4th. Niseko Hanazono Resort was next to open on December 5th, and was able to open entire top to bottom runs of ungroomed, deep powder! This was a treat for anyone lucky enough to get on the mountain that day.

The weather forecast is wonderfully snowy, which will ensure that more of the terrain on the mountain will open step by step. This is a special winter for Niseko, as we are finally able to welcome our international guests back! A few things might have changed since your last visit, so read our article on what to expect for the 2022/23 winter season. Also, take a look at the winter 2022/23 snowfall forecast to build excitement for the powder days to come. See you on the mountain this winter!