Niseko Insider
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Snow by month

Niseko in December

287cm

Average snowfall in December · Kutchan · 1995–96 – 2024–25

Deepest snow (average)103 cm
Days with snowfall29 / 31
Average high / low-0.1° / -6.8°
Biggest single day63 cm · 2005–06
Snowiest on record433 cm · 2002–03
Least snowy184 cm · 2007–08
Last 10 winters, average267 cm

What December is like

December is the second snowiest month of the season, with snow falling on about 29 days.

The season gets going. Cold air over the Sea of Japan brings snow on most days and the base builds fast. The Christmas and New Year holidays are the busiest weeks of the winter, so book places to stay and restaurants early.

Every December since 1995

020040060095–96: 322 cm95–9696–97: 283 cm97–98: 224 cm98–99: 380 cm99–00: 238 cm00–01: 357 cm00–0101–02: 420 cm02–03: 433 cm03–04: 185 cm04–05: 336 cm05–06: 362 cm05–0606–07: 206 cm07–08: 184 cm08–09: 246 cm09–10: 246 cm10–11: 201 cm10–1111–12: 349 cm12–13: 306 cm13–14: 258 cm14–15: 387 cm15–16: 195 cm15–1616–17: 235 cm17–18: 324 cm18–19: 310 cm19–20: 217 cm20–21: 303 cm20–2121–22: 262 cm22–23: 289 cm23–24: 191 cm24–25: 347 cmavg 287 cm020040060095–96: 322 cm95–9696–97: 283 cm97–98: 224 cm98–99: 380 cm99–00: 238 cm00–01: 357 cm01–02: 420 cm02–03: 433 cm03–04: 185 cm04–05: 336 cm05–06: 362 cm05–0606–07: 206 cm07–08: 184 cm08–09: 246 cm09–10: 246 cm10–11: 201 cm11–12: 349 cm12–13: 306 cm13–14: 258 cm14–15: 387 cm15–16: 195 cm15–1616–17: 235 cm17–18: 324 cm18–19: 310 cm19–20: 217 cm20–21: 303 cm21–22: 262 cm22–23: 289 cm23–24: 191 cm24–25: 347 cmavg 287 cm

Snowfall in December each winter at Kutchan. The black bar is the snowiest.

Compared with other months

All months
MonthSnowfallDeepestHigh/low
November96 cm34 cm7.1° / -0.9°
December287 cm103 cm-0.1° / -6.8°
January295 cm159 cm-2° / -9.7°
February218 cm186 cm-0.9° / -9.4°
March116 cm174 cm3.5° / -5.3°
April12 cm99 cm10.1° / 0.3°

Questions

How much snow does Niseko get in December?

At Kutchan, December averages 287 cm of snowfall (30 winters, 1995–96 – 2024–25). The snowiest December was in 2002–03 with 433 cm; the least snowy was 2007–08 with 184 cm. The mountain gets more.

How cold is Niseko in December?

Daytime highs average -0.1°C and overnight lows -6.8°C. The coldest reading in December over the 30 winters was -21.4°C, in 2005–06. It is colder on the mountain.

Is December a good time to ski Niseko?

The season gets going. Cold air over the Sea of Japan brings snow on most days and the base builds fast. The Christmas and New Year holidays are the busiest weeks of the winter, so book places to stay and restaurants early.

About the data

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency monthly records for Kutchan (176 m), 30 winters from 1995–96 – 2024–25. The ski area, from about 250 m to 1,308 m, gets more snow and is colder than the valley.