Hokkaido in March 2027: Weather, Snow, Spring Skiing and Last Drift Ice

March is the end of Hokkaido's winter, but not the end of the snow. In Sapporo the average daily high is 4.5°C and the low -2.4°C, and the deepest snow of an average March is still 82 cm (JMA climate normals, 1991–2020). The days lengthen quickly: sunset in Sapporo moves from 17:23 on March 1 to 17:59 on March 31, 2027. Spring skiing, the last weeks of the drift ice cruises and the end of the winter light-ups all fall in this month.

March 2027 at a glance

Dates come from each organiser's or operator's official site, checked between 12 and 16 October 2026. They are planned dates, and drift ice is never guaranteed on a given day.

March weather: milder days, deep snow on the ground

These are the Japan Meteorological Agency's 30-year normals for March. Snowfall is the total that falls during the month; deepest snow is the average of each March's deepest snow cover. Less snow falls than in January or February, but the snow that has built up through the winter is still there: in Kutchan the average deepest snow in March is 170 cm. Daytime highs above freezing mean melting snow, slush and puddles in the cities, then refreezing overnight. Our winter weather guide compares every month from December to March.

Longer days

Times are from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan's calculations for Sapporo. By the end of March there is about 12 hours 40 minutes between sunrise and sunset, compared with under 10 hours at the end of November.

Skiing in March

All four Niseko United areas are still open in March. The planned closing dates are April 4, 2027 for Niseko Village, April 11 for Hanazono, and May 5 for Grand Hirafu and Annupuri; Furano Ski Area also plans to run to May 5. Night skiing in Niseko ends on March 22.

The adult 1-day All Mountain Pass is ¥12,600 from March 1 to 22 and drops to the Spring Season price of ¥8,800 from March 23 to April 4. Snow in March changes through the day, softening in the sun and firming up again as it cools, which suits a spring-skiing trip more than one built only around fresh powder. Our Niseko month-by-month guide compares March with midwinter.

Last chances for winter sights

Drift ice. Both icebreaker cruises run until March 31, 2027: the Aurora from Abashiri and the Garinko-go from Monbetsu. The Aurora's adult fare on the large ship is ¥5,000 in March. Whether there is ice on a given day depends on the wind and sea, and late in the season it can be gone; see our drift ice guide for what happens on a day without ice.

Lights and ice. The Sapporo White Illumination season ends on March 14, 2027, but each site has its own period, so check the official site for the area you want to see. Tomamu's Ice Village is planned to close after March 10.

Asahiyama Zoo's penguin walk. The zoo's official FAQ says the walk needs enough snow for its course and typically runs from late December to mid-March. It depends on conditions, so do not count on it in the second half of the month; our Asahiyama Zoo winter guide explains how to plan the day.

Planning tips for March

These are our suggestions, not official advice.

• Choose by what you want to see. Early March still has the winter sights and the Regular Season ski price; late March brings cheaper lift passes and longer days, but the light-ups have ended and drift ice is less likely.
• Pack waterproof boots. Melting snow and slush are the norm on city pavements; grip matters again when it refreezes in the morning and evening. See our winter packing list.
• Keep winter driving rules. Snow and ice are still on the ground across much of Hokkaido, especially inland and in the mountains. Our winter transport guide covers driving and delays.
• Use the extra daylight. With sunset after 17:00 all month, a full day trip from Sapporo is easier than in December or January; see day trips from Sapporo.

For the months either side, see Hokkaido in February and Hokkaido in April, and our Hokkaido in winter guide for the whole season.

Frequently asked questions

Is there still snow in Hokkaido in March? Yes. In an average March the deepest snow on the ground is 82 cm in Sapporo and 170 cm in Kutchan, near Niseko, and 74 cm of new snow falls in Sapporo (JMA normals).

How cold is Sapporo in March? The average daily high is 4.5°C and the low -2.4°C.

Can you ski in Hokkaido in March? Yes. All four Niseko United areas are open through March, with the Spring Season price of ¥8,800 for an adult 1-day pass from March 23, 2027. Night skiing ends on March 22.

Can you see drift ice in March? The Aurora and Garinko-go cruises run until March 31, 2027, but ice is not guaranteed, especially late in the month.

Is the Asahiyama Zoo penguin walk on in March? According to the zoo, it typically runs from late December to mid-March, depending on snow.

Sources checked 12–16 October 2026: Japan Meteorological Agency climate normals 1991–2020 (historical weather data); National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, sunrise and sunset for Sapporo, March 2027; Niseko United lift pass page; Furano Ski Area; Hoshino Resorts Tomamu; Sapporo White Illumination; Aurora price page; Garinko-go; Asahiyama Zoo FAQ. Planning tips are our editorial judgement.