NISEKO RULES
Niseko used to have the highest number of fatal avalanche accidents in all of Japan. The Niseko Rules were implemented in order to reduce and prevent accidents in backcountry areas. Our community respects your freedom to ski/snowboard, but we are also deeply concerned about your safety. All resort users must obey the following rules for the saftey of everyone.
1. Always use gates when entering backcountry areas.
2. Do not duck boundary ropes.
3. Everyone skiing/snowboarding in backcountry areas should were a helmet and carry an avalanche beacon.
4. Backcountry skiing/snowboarding is prohibited when gates are closed.
5. Never enter off-limits areas at any time.
6. Elementary school children are not allowed in backcountry areas unless accompanied by an elder companion.
<Additional Information>
・ A minimum of 100,000 yen will be charged for search and rescue operations in backcountry areas.
・ Rules violators may be banned from using the resort facilities by having their lift-pass confiscated and/or refused to reissue a new pass.
・ Many past accidents have occurred during bad weather conditions. Always be cautious and never overestimate your self or equipment. Make sure to obey the ski patrol's instructions. Beware of crevasses and trees. Mountains are never 100% safe.
・ The Niseko Avalanche Information is the area's official information. The hazard level is estimated using systems and methods developed by the Niseko Avalanche Institute.
・ Carrying an avalanche beacon, a probe and a shovel is very highly recommended. This equipment may save not only your live but your buddy's too.
1. Always use gates when entering backcountry areas.
2. Do not duck boundary ropes.
3. Everyone skiing/snowboarding in backcountry areas should were a helmet and carry an avalanche beacon.
4. Backcountry skiing/snowboarding is prohibited when gates are closed.
5. Never enter off-limits areas at any time.
6. Elementary school children are not allowed in backcountry areas unless accompanied by an elder companion.
<Additional Information>
・ A minimum of 100,000 yen will be charged for search and rescue operations in backcountry areas.
・ Rules violators may be banned from using the resort facilities by having their lift-pass confiscated and/or refused to reissue a new pass.
・ Many past accidents have occurred during bad weather conditions. Always be cautious and never overestimate your self or equipment. Make sure to obey the ski patrol's instructions. Beware of crevasses and trees. Mountains are never 100% safe.
・ The Niseko Avalanche Information is the area's official information. The hazard level is estimated using systems and methods developed by the Niseko Avalanche Institute.
・ Carrying an avalanche beacon, a probe and a shovel is very highly recommended. This equipment may save not only your live but your buddy's too.
- Niseko Rules 2024-25 (ENG)(PDF format: 14 MB)
- Niseko Rules 2024-25 (CHN)(PDF format: 14 MB)
- Niseko Rules 2024-25 (KOR)(PDF format: 14 MB)
Please take a look at the special feature on Mr. Akio Shinya of the Niseko Avalanche Institute in the Koho Niseko Newsletter (January 2018 issue) (starting on page 5).
Get free push notifications about Niseko Avalanche Information on your smartphone!
Niseko avalanche Information is distributed every morning,
Until now, you had to check the website or a bulletin board at various ski-facilities yourself each time.
In cooperation with SKIDAY, we set up various cameras which capture the current situation around the ski area. Using your smartphone, you can now receive push notifications each time an image is distributed through their application.
Simply download the app and receive the latest Niseko Avalanche Information via push notification every morning on your smartphone.
There are currently seven cameras installed at ski resorts in the Niseko area. You can view the footage from those cameras in real time using the app.
Equipment used in search operations, such as beacons and probes, was also provided. The children were able to inspect them and even carried bags full of the equipment to feel its weight. By doing so, they were able to get a glimpse of the challenges of dealing with harsh nature.
Until now, you had to check the website or a bulletin board at various ski-facilities yourself each time.
In cooperation with SKIDAY, we set up various cameras which capture the current situation around the ski area. Using your smartphone, you can now receive push notifications each time an image is distributed through their application.
Simply download the app and receive the latest Niseko Avalanche Information via push notification every morning on your smartphone.
There are currently seven cameras installed at ski resorts in the Niseko area. You can view the footage from those cameras in real time using the app.
Equipment used in search operations, such as beacons and probes, was also provided. The children were able to inspect them and even carried bags full of the equipment to feel its weight. By doing so, they were able to get a glimpse of the challenges of dealing with harsh nature.
Avalanche Classroom
On January 18, 2024, an avalanche classroom was held at Kondo Elementary School in Niseko Town by the director of the Niseko Avalanche Institute, Mr. Akio Shinya, with assistance from the Hokkaido Police Department and a Mountain Rescue Team.
The children learned about how avalanches work, their dangers, the difficulties of search and rescue operations and personal stories. To make it easier to understand, simple experiments like snow falling from a roof served as examples.
Equipment used in search operations, such as beacons and probes, was also provided. The children were able to inspect them and even carried bags full of the equipment to feel its weight. By doing so, they were able to get a glimpse of the challenges of dealing with harsh nature.
The children learned about how avalanches work, their dangers, the difficulties of search and rescue operations and personal stories. To make it easier to understand, simple experiments like snow falling from a roof served as examples.
Equipment used in search operations, such as beacons and probes, was also provided. The children were able to inspect them and even carried bags full of the equipment to feel its weight. By doing so, they were able to get a glimpse of the challenges of dealing with harsh nature.
Distribution of Niseko Rules
〇Distribution of Niseko Avalanche Information records to accommodation operators.
This record contains all Avalanche Information collected during the season, as well as background information about the rules.
Please check your facility's lobby for the latest Niseko Avalanche Information.
〇Avalanche Information email distribution (PDF)
If you wish to receive the Niseko Avalanche Information via mail for your facility, please contact the Commerce and Tourism Division of Niseko Town Hall.
We kindly ask for your cooperation in displaying the Niseko Avalanche Information at your facility.
〇Distribution via Radio Niseko
When the Avalanche Information is updated, Radio Niseko will also provide you with updates.
It is also delivered in English using AI voice reading.
〇Avalanche textbook for children and families “For Children in Niseko Learning about Avalanches”
In cooperation with the Director of the Niseko Avalanche Institute, Mr. Akio Shinya, we published a booklet to learn more about avalanches.
We are providing it to all 5th grade elementary school students in the Niseko area (Kutchan/Niseko).
You can also view it as PDF from the link below.
This record contains all Avalanche Information collected during the season, as well as background information about the rules.
Please check your facility's lobby for the latest Niseko Avalanche Information.
〇Avalanche Information email distribution (PDF)
If you wish to receive the Niseko Avalanche Information via mail for your facility, please contact the Commerce and Tourism Division of Niseko Town Hall.
We kindly ask for your cooperation in displaying the Niseko Avalanche Information at your facility.
〇Distribution via Radio Niseko
When the Avalanche Information is updated, Radio Niseko will also provide you with updates.
It is also delivered in English using AI voice reading.
〇Avalanche textbook for children and families “For Children in Niseko Learning about Avalanches”
In cooperation with the Director of the Niseko Avalanche Institute, Mr. Akio Shinya, we published a booklet to learn more about avalanches.
We are providing it to all 5th grade elementary school students in the Niseko area (Kutchan/Niseko).
You can also view it as PDF from the link below.
- For Children in Niseko Learning about Avalanches (JAP)(PDF format: 26MB)
- For Children in Niseko Learning about Avalanches (ENG)(PDF format: 11 MB)
We also placed the Niseko Rules at various locations like restaurants and ticket stations (See picture above.)
Scan the QR-Code to get more information about the rules, avalanche information and smartphone application.
Scan the QR-Code to get more information about the rules, avalanche information and smartphone application.
Avalanche Prevention through Dynamite
At some ski resorts in Niseko, we use dynamite to create a small and controlled avalanche in order to prevent unpredictable avalanches which may result in accidents.
That is why you might hear a dynamite explosion around the Annupuri Area in the early morning.
That is why you might hear a dynamite explosion around the Annupuri Area in the early morning.
Cooperation with NIED concerning avalanche prevention research
Niseko Town, Kutchan Town, and the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED) have signed a cooperation agreement and are conducting collaborative research to prevent avalanche accidents in the Niseko area.
Letter of appreciation from the Director of the Japan Tourism Agency
The Niseko Rules have been established to prevent avalanche accidents in Niseko, and daily information on avalanches in Niseko has been sent out.
Akio Shinya of the Niseko Avalanche Institute, who has long been engaged in developing safety measures for skiers, received a letter of appreciation from Mr. Takahashi, Director of the Japan Tourism Agency. The award recognises his outstanding contributions and achievements in creating a safe ski resort over the years.
Akio Shinya of the Niseko Avalanche Institute, who has long been engaged in developing safety measures for skiers, received a letter of appreciation from Mr. Takahashi, Director of the Japan Tourism Agency. The award recognises his outstanding contributions and achievements in creating a safe ski resort over the years.
Inquiries
Niseko Annupuri District Avalanche Accident Prevention Council
Secretariat: Niseko Town Hall, Commerce and Tourism Division
Phone: 0136-44-2121
Secretariat: Niseko Town Hall, Commerce and Tourism Division
Phone: 0136-44-2121
Link on Ski Information
Inquiries
- Commerce and Tourism Division
- TEL:0136-56-8843
- FAX:0136-44-3500