Yama Shizen, Niseko

Yama Shizen, Niseko

A fantastic and stress-free holiday. Everything was taken care of, from airport transfers to magnificent accommodation. Staff were helpful and friendly, and our studio apartment had a great view out over the creek. The apartment had EVERYTHING we could need, and our own personal washing and drying room was invaluable. Yama Shizen is perfectly located for walking to restaurants and bars as well as being a 5min stroll to the lifts in the morning. We will definitely be back!

Niseko Mountain, Lodge, NISS kids

Niseko certainly lived up to our expectations with regard to heavy powder snowfall....it snowed for pretty well the whole 10 days we were there less about 90 minutes of sunshine! Whilst it was steep in parts, overall it just is not the same as skiing North America or Europe in terms of the big mountain elevation and steep feeling often experienced. 

The lodge was excellent....very modern...but no jacuzzi or Onsen and nothing much for the kids - a games room would have been ideal! Also, even though it was geograhically very close to the Welcome centre and theoretically ski-in ski-out  - practically - it wasn''t and so being closest to the last shuttle stop before the top we often had to walk to the base, because all the buses were full by the last stop!  NISS staff were great with admin and teaching with our 3 and 5.5 year old girls....... with our eldest passionately stating "I loooovvveee skiing, Dad" and convincing my wife to scrub a day off!

March Powder Skiing - Niseko Japan

The title may sound contradictory, but believe me our ski trip to Niseko during March 2010 was fantastic. It was officially the beginning of their off season, but don''t let that put you off, we had day & overnight snow, five of our nine nights, skiing on beautiful soft powder snow (tho not in the same quantities as in peak season) the following day. This time of year also gives a bit more sun, great for viz & to appreciate the beautiful surroundings, especially when magnificent Mt Yotei is exposed in its full splendour.

The accomodation at Yama Schizen was perfect, all the comforts, with a sensational view of the ski fields from our lounge room windows and a short walk to both the Gondola and restaurants. Travelplan looked after us extremely well, all t''s crossed & i''s dotted, from flights and connections to lift tickets waiting in the room, all went smoothly and without fuss.

Thankyou for a great ski holiday

Awesome Powder Skiing

We arrived at Niseko Japan and loved what we saw, a mountain full of powder, could not wait to ski it, accommodation was superb for us,it''s cosy and warm and pleasant exactly what we want on a ski holiday. Restaurants aplenty , awesome bakey "A-bu-Cha", friendly people and staff , awesome Onsen''s, fantastic powder to ski on and night skiing incredible the whole mountain is lit up.

Well Done Travelplan for another beautifully organised ski holiday we did not have to worry about anything or lift a finger to organise anything everything went according to plan..

Now we have truly become Snow Snobs after skiing on Niseko ''LENGENDARY'' Powder!!

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.

Great powder

Best snow in the world.

Tree skiing is fantastic, whole family had a great time.

Japanese people are the most polite, respectful and gratious of any country we have visited.