Grand Hirafu Snow Report, Lift Tickets 2026-27 & Forecast
Grand Hirafu is a ski area in Hokkaido with 3 webcams, 30 runs, 16 lifts and 940 m vertical.
An adult day ticket costs ¥12,600.
Grand Hirafu snow report for Niseko: live webcams, snow depth, fresh snowfall and a 7-day forecast, plus lifts, runs and access from New Chitose Airport.
2026-27 season: opening Sat, November 28, planned closing Wed, May 5 (source: resort site, checked October 27). Night skiing is planned from December 12 to March 22.
Cameras are expected to come back online when the season starts (opening: Sat, November 28). Some cameras stream all year: press play to try one.
The longest run is about 5.6 km. An adult day ticket is around ¥12,600 (check the resort for current prices).
A YouTube live stream shows the slopes. Snow depth and the 7-day snowfall and temperature forecast for Grand Hirafu come from Open-Meteo forecast models for its part of Hokkaido.
Niseko United All Mountain Pass, regular season. Peak (Dec 24 to Feb 28) ¥13,500, early and spring ¥8,800. About 5% off at the official online store
Prices checked 18 Oct 2026
Rental Prices (1 Day) (Official)
Ski/Board + Boots (Adult): ¥7,000 JPY
Ski/Board + Boots (Child): ¥4,500 JPY
Jacket + Pants: ¥5,000 JPY
Board/Skis Only: ¥5,000 JPY
On-mountain rental counters are convenient, but village shops are usually 20-30% cheaper and discount further for advance bookings.
Getting there
Distance from Tokyo: 1,100 km
Car: 2.5h from New Chitose Airport
Bus: Direct ski bus 3h (¥6,000 one way, 2026-27 fare, runs 12 Dec to 22 Mar, reservation required)
Flight: Haneda→New Chitose (1h35m) is nearest airport. Source: Niseko Grand Hirafu official
Road Conditions & Access
Tyres: Studless winter tyres are effectively mandatory December to March. Hire cars include them in winter, but specify 4WD.
Driving: Expect packed snow and ice as the norm. Whiteouts erase visibility and expressways close without much warning in a blizzard, so avoid driving after dark.
Live closures: Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau publishes real-time closures.
Things to do nearby
Ski-in/ski-out stays
Ki Niseko: Luxury hotel with direct access to Hirafu ski slopes. Every room has a mountain view, and there are natural hot springs and Michelin-quality dining.
Skye Niseko: Ski-in/ski-out condominium hotel at the base of Grand Hirafu, with the Ace Gondola in front of the entrance and an onsen for guests.
The Vale Niseko: Condo hotel in upper Hirafu, a minute from the Ace Family Quad Lift, with a restaurant, heated pool and ski rental.
Dining & Activities
Soto no Yu Onsen: Day-use hot spring in central Hirafu, good for relaxing after skiing. Used by locals and tourists.
Juhyo Bar: Après-ski bar in Hirafu where skiers gather.
Ramen Kazahana: Popular ramen shop in Hirafu. Known for a thick miso ramen that warms you up after skiing.
Daruma Genghis Khan: The best-known Genghis Khan restaurant in Niseko, with fresh lamb and a house sauce. Reservations required.
Bang Bang: Trendy Asian fusion restaurant in Hirafu. Popular for share-style small plates and cocktails.
Grand Hirafu is on the Niseko United All Mountain Pass. In 2026-27 an adult 1-day pass is ¥12,600 in the regular season, ¥13,500 in peak weeks (December 24 to February 28) and ¥8,800 in early and spring season. A 5-day peak pass is ¥65,500.
When does Grand Hirafu open and close in 2026-27?
The planned season runs from November 28, 2026 to May 5, 2027. Night skiing is planned from December 12 to March 22.
How big is Grand Hirafu?
Grand Hirafu has 30 runs, 16 lifts and 940 m of vertical. Terrain is about 30% beginner, 40% intermediate and 30% advanced.
How do I get to Grand Hirafu from New Chitose Airport?
By car it takes about 2.5 hours. A direct ski bus takes about 3 hours and costs ¥6,000 one way (2026-27 fare, runs 12 Dec to 22 Mar, reservation required). Haneda to New Chitose is a flight of about 1 hour 35 minutes.
Can I ski the other Niseko areas on a Grand Hirafu ticket?
Yes, with the All Mountain Pass. It covers Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and Annupuri, which are linked.