Niseko

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.  

Six metres for the month!! An average January??

Niseko returned to historical average snowfall for January this year..almost six ( 6) metres was accepted by the mountain!  

Six metres for the month!!   An average January??  I have been to ski resorts that don’t get that much in a season!!  

We chose to experience local hospitality in Pension Kisara, comfortable, meticulously clean, still providing the authentic experience offered by a second generation Japanese family business. However, one can easily see that Niseko has transformed over the last couple of seasons from “Kuta on Snow” to a contemporary, elegant Ski destination.  

New accommodation options rival anything on offer in any part of the world. The service, food, culture that separates Japan from the “also-rans” was enjoyed to the full, as always, leaving to go home is done reluctantly. 

On a positive note, the plans for next season’s experience are already formulated, the only issue being “how do I get to stay longer next time?”  

Should you go to Niseko to ski??   Hmmmm…great powder snow, stunning food, wonderful culture, a beautiful people, service the way it is meant to be…  

Your call… but if you don’t it means more fresh tracks for moi !!     

Niseko - January 2010

Fresh, light powder snow almost every day, short lift queues, small classes for kids in school.  Sound good - yes it was. 

Lift tickets cheaper than Australia with better options if you don''t want to ski every day.

Eating out not bad value - especially lunch time "all you can eat buffet" at Hilton.  750 Yen for ''big kids'' unbeatable!

Accommodation was fantastic. Credit cards are accepted quite widely including at supermarket but do need sone cash.

Any negatives: It is cold in January especially when windy and don''t expect much sunshine. Ski hard and dress warm!  It can take a little time to get started in morning by time shuttle bus gets you to slopes. 

I would rate most of mountain as "intermediate" with not much difficult terrain. 

Just enjoy the powder and the tree skiing.

Niseko in December

We got lucky with great fresh powder each day - will think twice about going early next time.

Night skiing was fantastic; easy to use lift system.

Powder tracks apartments were great - close and comfortable.

Good range of restaurants.

Having a Travelplan staff member on the ground in Niseko was invaluable.

Niseko/Harafu rules

We plan to return to Japan skiing again next year or the following year. 

The culture was inspiring and the food fantastic. We loved staying at North Point where we were served a gourmet breakfast each morning and the beds were comfortable and the lodge warm. 

Travelplan were great in the organizing and recommendations of services.

Review of Hilton Niseko

Lovely renovation - last stayed there in 2008 when it was the Prince Hotel.  

Great position and particularly liked the gondola coming straight out of the hotel.  However, one of the big problems is that when there is the slightest bit of wind the gondola closes for the day. Getting out to ski then becomes difficult as the buses to Hirafu and Anapuri are not very frequent. 

Also the buses are not very frequent at night and close rather early (midnight from memory) so you have to resort to a taxi if you are out past that time.

First visit to Niseko

The promotional material suggested reliable deep powder snow. A meter of snow had fallen the previous week and when it rained on our first day a "should have been here" feeling pervaded. The next day and the subsequent four days were constant snow. Every morning shin high, powder, untracked gentle/challenging tree  skiing was possible. Night skiing was an additional highlight in both beginner and advanced areas. The accommodation, transfers, onsens and restaurants added the right texture to a fabulous week.

Mate! you haven,t skied till you,ve been to Niseko

I've skied all my life and i must say for freindly people great facilitys, the best powder i've ever seen. do your self a favour GO THERE. steve

You've got to do it!

Mate we stayed at the yukiama apartments, and i've got to say, excellent, no fuss, just ideal, for skiing. People great, and the whole town is geared up for skiing, from the hot baths to the restraunts on the mountain. If your not staying at the base of the mountain in one of there flash hotels, you'll be in the village with the rest of the population. Catch the bus or walk ,great atmosphere.

PS try the ice bar, in the middle of town.