Winter Event Guide

Event Dates: Daily from Mid-December - Mid-March

In winter wonderland Niseko, the activities don't stop when the sun goes down. Night skiing is a MUST for your season in Niseko, and is available from December - Early March, with night-accessed terrain available in all four resorts that make up Niseko United.

Niseko is renowned for having one of the largest illuminated night skiing areas in Japan, with floodlights illuminating many major runs on the mountain. Night skiing in Niseko is one of the resort's best-kept secrets, offering a unique opportunity to experience the slopes in a peaceful and serene atmosphere. On some nights, you will have the slopes virtually all to yourself to enjoy endless fresh tracks!

Event dates: 31 December, 1 January

Niseko has something to offer everyone who is celebrating New Year. Along with amazing Apres, and nightlife, there are actually plenty of exciting events planned on the slopes as well.

For those who love night skiing, Annupuri offers free night skiing until midnight. Before the COVID lockdown, Grand Hirafu had torchlight skiing and a fireworks display, which we are keeping our fingers crossed will return next season.

If you're not a night owl and prefer to wake up early, Niseko Village Gondola runs a special New Year's Day ride at 6 AM. This ride offers a unique opportunity to witness the first sunrise of the year from above and enjoy the first fresh tracks of the year as well.

Event dates: Early-Mid February for one week

The Sapporo Snow Festival is the head honcho of winter events in both the Hokkaido and Japan calendars, annually attracting more than two million visitors. From its humble beginnings in the 1950s, when a group of high school students built six snow statues in Odori Park that drew fifty-thousand people, the festival has grown into a week-long celebration that highlights sports, events and artistry from around the world!

Taking place every year in early February, it's very much worth the trip to enjoy breathtaking ice sculptures, performance events and a number of unique winter fun and games.

Event Dates: Mid January - Mid February

Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is one of the most famous winter festivals in Hokkaido, which showcases magnificent ice sculptures that visitors can walk through and even climb on top of. The festival features a variety of ice objects that glisten in a natural blue hue during the day and are illuminated in a rainbow of colors at night, providing an excellent opportunity for a great winter snap!

The festival also boasts other activities like an ice slide, ice skating rink, yummy food trucks and fireworks on weekends.

Event Dates: Mid February for one week

During the festival period, the already picturesque Otaru Canal plays host to countless candles on glass floats, gently drifting down the river. Located just a short train ride away from Niseko, it's a great day trip!

There are two main official festival areas which get lit up daily from 5:00PM to 9:00PM: the Unga Kaijo area and the Temiyasen Kaijo area. We highly recommend to visit both during your trip to the festival. The event also features stunning ice sculptures, dazzling light displays and impressive monuments. You can also find a great meal in Otaru, to top off a memorable day.

In Niseko's neighbouring town of Kutchan, the Yukitopia (Snowtopia) Festival has been a winter highlight for many years. Visitors of all ages com together to enjoy countless winter activities at Asahigaoka Ski Hill, which is in walking distance from Kutchan Station.

The event showcases traditional Taiko Drumming, a tube hill, treasure hunts, delicious local food trucks and even a pond skim for the adrenaline junkies.

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There's no shortage of fun winter events and activities in Niseko. Keep an eye on Experience Niseko's Event page for a list of all winter season events. Our main piece of advice to our seasonals - get out there as much as possible to relish in the season's snow!