Myoko Snowfall History
10 Winters of Independently Observed Snowfall Data
Myoko Snowfall History- Myoko vs Niseko and Hakuba
Myoko is widely known as one of Japan’s snowiest ski destinations, but how does it actually compare with Niseko and Hakuba? We reviewed 10 winter seasons of independently observed base-area snowfall to see how the three regions compare.
Across the 10 winters examined, Myoko averaged 13.02 metres of recorded base-area snowfall and received the highest total in 9 out of 10 seasons.
Niseko averaged 9.63 metres, while Hakuba averaged 4.86 metres.
However, snowfall volume is only one part of the decision. Niseko is generally colder and known for lighter snow, while Hakuba offers larger alpine terrain and greater vertical.
10 Winters of Recorded Base-Area Snowfall
Myoko, Niseko and Hakuba compared from winter 2015-16 to 2024-25.
Full 10-Year Snowfall Data (cm)
| Winter | Myoko | Niseko | Hakuba |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 878 | 989 | 321 |
| 2016-17 | 1478 | 686 | 527 |
| 2017-18 | 1362 | 1260 | 547 |
| 2018-19 | 1705 | 951 | 420 |
| 2019-20 | 905 | 728 | 223 |
| 2020-21 | 1355 | 1210 | 420 |
| 2021-22 | 1665 | 1137 | 617 |
| 2022-23 | 1029 | 1006 | 444 |
| 2023-24 | 1048 | 884 | 561 |
| 2024-25 | 1591 | 783 | 782 |
10-Year Summary Statistics
Myoko
- 10-year average: 13.02 m
- Median: 13.59 m
- Highest season: 17.05 m (2018-19)
- Lowest season: 8.78 m (2015-16)
- Highest total in 9 of 10 seasons
Niseko
- 10-year average: 9.63 m
- Median: 9.70 m
- Highest season: 12.60 m (2017-18)
- Lowest season: 6.86 m (2016-17)
- Highest total in 1 of 10 seasons
Hakuba
- 10-year average: 4.86 m
- Median: 4.86 m
- Highest season: 7.82 m (2024-25)
- Lowest season: 2.23 m (2019-20)
- Highest total in 0 of 10 seasons
What Does the 10-Year Comparison Show?
Myoko recorded the highest total snowfall in every season except 2015-16, when Niseko took the lead. Averaged across the full 10 years, Myoko received about 35% more recorded base-area snowfall than Niseko, and about 168% more than Hakuba.
Myoko's totals were consistently strong across both its biggest and its weaker winters — even its lowest season on record (878 cm in 2015-16) exceeded Hakuba's best season in this dataset. Niseko remained relatively consistent season to season, but generally sat below Myoko in total accumulation.
Hakuba's strengths aren't captured by snowfall volume alone. Its main appeal — larger alpine terrain and greater vertical — sits outside what a base-area snowfall count can measure.
Why Does Myoko Receive So Much Snow?
Myoko's heavy winter snowfall comes down to geography. Cold winter air moves across the Sea of Japan, picking up moisture as it travels. When that moist air reaches the mountains around Myoko, it's forced rapidly upward. The sudden cooling this causes leads to frequent, and sometimes very heavy, snowfall.
Myoko's proximity to the Sea of Japan places it directly in the path of these storm systems, which is a major reason the region can produce such large cumulative totals over a winter.
Myoko vs Niseko vs Hakuba
Myoko
- Highest snowfall volume in this dataset
- Heavy storm cycles
- Excellent tree skiing
- Maritime snowpack
- Several resorts within a compact region
- Quieter and less commercial atmosphere
Niseko
- Colder climate
- Famous for light, dry powder
- Frequent snowfall days
- More international facilities
- Strong nightlife and dining
- Generally more expensive and busier
Hakuba
- Dramatic alpine terrain
- Greater vertical
- Large resort network
- Strong advanced terrain
- More variable weather exposure
- Lower base-area snowfall in this dataset
The best destination depends on whether the visitor prioritises snowfall volume, snow quality, alpine terrain, nightlife, price, crowds or atmosphere.
When Is the Best Time to Ski Myoko?
Late December
- Conditions can be excellent
- Early-season coverage can vary
January
- Usually the strongest month for frequent snowfall
- Best period for visitors prioritising powder
February
- Established snowpack
- Continued storms
- Longer daylight
March
- Fewer storm days
- More clear weather
- Deep established coverage
- Often better value
None of these periods can guarantee powder on any given date — Myoko's snowfall, like anywhere, varies winter to winter.
How We Compared the Snowfall Data
The figures on this page are cumulative snowfall observations recorded around the base areas of Myoko, Niseko and Hakuba across 10 winter seasons, from 2015-16 to 2024-25, measured in centimetres.
These are base-area observations, not official whole-resort totals, upper-mountain snowfall totals, snow-depth measurements, current snowpack depth, or resort marketing claims. Snowfall (how much new snow falls over a period) is a different measurement to snow depth (how much snow is sitting on the ground at a given moment) — this page reports the former.
Elevation, geography, observation location and local weather patterns differ between Myoko, Niseko and Hakuba, so these figures should be read as a consistent regional comparison rather than proof that every part of one resort always receives more snow than every part of another.
Page last updated: 13 July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much snow does Myoko receive?
Across the 10 winter seasons in this dataset (2015-16 to 2024-25), Myoko averaged 13.02 metres (1,301.6 cm) of recorded base-area snowfall per season, ranging from a low of 8.78 m to a high of 17.05 m.
Does Myoko receive more snow than Niseko?
In this dataset, Myoko recorded more base-area snowfall than Niseko in 9 of the 10 seasons, averaging about 35% more overall. Niseko recorded the higher total only in 2015-16.
Is Myoko snow as dry as Niseko snow?
Not necessarily. Niseko is generally colder and is well known for light, dry powder. Myoko's snow is influenced by its maritime location and can vary in density. This page reports snowfall volume, not snow quality or dryness.
Does Myoko receive more snow than Hakuba?
Yes, by a wide margin in this dataset. Myoko averaged about 168% more recorded base-area snowfall than Hakuba over the 10 seasons studied, and recorded a higher total in every one of the 10 seasons.
What is the best month for powder in Myoko?
January is typically the strongest month for frequent snowfall, making it a common choice for visitors prioritising powder. February also sees continued storms with an already-established snowpack. No specific date can be guaranteed powder.
Are these figures measured at the top of the mountain?
No. These are base-area snowfall observations, not upper-mountain totals. Snowfall can vary significantly with elevation, so upper-mountain totals may differ from the figures shown on this page.
What is the difference between snowfall and snow depth?
Snowfall measures how much new snow falls over a period of time (for example, over a season). Snow depth measures how much snow is sitting on the ground at a specific moment. This page reports cumulative snowfall, not snow depth.
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