Yama Shizen

Absolutely loved Niseko!

We stayed in Yama Shizen Apartments. The rooms were beautiful and front desk staff really helpful. Only downside was our noisy/selfish neighbours who took up all the space in our entry way/drying room, but this couldn''t be helped.

As a first time skiier I wasn''t sure how I would enjoy it but Niseko was just beautiful. Loved every minute of it and would definitely recommend it! Will probably be going back again next year.

I could never ski the icy slopes of Australia after this experience.

Yama Shizen apartments

Fabulous accommodation, well designed, stylish and very comfortable apartments. Good range of kitchen utensils and quality appliances. Great facilities for storing skis and boots.

Beautiful views if you are on the slopeside. Yama Shizen is in a great location - however it is not ski in or ski out. No assistance or guidance was given on getting to the slopes to make this as easy and efficient as possible.

Yama Shizen is located approximately half way up the hill to the main ski area, a bus stop is close by however buses were always full. It is a long and exhausting walk up the hill to the lifts. Better to walk down the hill to the Family lift although still a long way around. We only discovered a shortcut through to this Family lift on the last day which made it a 5 minute walk and a short ski to the lift. Some information from Hokkaido Tracks would have been very welcome. 

There is also a very rough ski in track which we could see from our apartment, however again we were never given any information on how to get onto that track to come home.  

Niseko - It can''t get better than this!

I have been going to Hirafu, Niseko for 4 years now and every year just when you don''t think it can get better it does. Jan 9 - 22 saw almost 3 meters of snow fall. The snow was deep and bottomless almost every day. There is no doubt that Niseko in January will guarantee you the best "lift accessed" powder on the planet.

Highlight this year was the opening of Mizuno no Sawa - closed for the last 10 years, this gully was an unforegettable experience.

Travelplan's Pete Ilinsky was an awesome guide as usual, however, he''s looking older and his jokes are getting worse!

Accommodation at Yama Shizen was perfect again - this is 5 star apartment living - ski in and almost ski out. Well priced, large and airy, king size beds, great ski room and modern fitout.

All up its hard to beat Niseko - cost effective, quality snow, 5 star accommo, beautiful people and a still quirky village atmosphere.