About Niseko

The magnificent Niseko region is blessed with over 15 metres of champagne powder snow every year. Combine this with the 3 huge interconnected resorts of Grand Hirafu, Annupuri and Higashiyama and it's not surprising that Niseko has become the most talked about snow holiday destination in the world.

Skiing in Japan is not expensive either. Lift tickets are about half the price of most international ski resorts. Regular dumps of light, dry powder mean fresh tracks and face shots are guaranteed. Hirafu also has a terrain park and half-pipe . . . . and if you've still got more energy, then Niseko has amazing night skiing until 9pm. Skiing powder at night is an incredible experience and a "must-do" for your checklist.

Niseko's lift system is high-tech with 3 gondolas and numerous high-speed, detachable, hooded quad chairs. A climb to the peak of Mt Annupuri affords some amazing views across to Mt Yotei and on a clear day all the way across to the Sea of Japan! The powder run down from the peak will stay with you forever. Niseko's snow has only 8% water quantity making it light and fluffy and incredibly easy to ski. Champagne powder with no altitude sickness! The runs off the peak offer a wide open expanse of thigh-deep "pow" to carve your signature in but Niseko is also renowned for it's sensational tree-skiing. Open glades of deciduous trees to wind in and out of with perfect visability even in the cloudiest conditions.

Niseko's season starts November the 23rd and continues into early May! The traditional "Powder Season" runs from December the 15th through to March the 8th. Early December and all of the rest of March is considered the value season where accommodation prices drop dramatically and crowds thin out.  March in Niseko can still be sensational. There is usually a 4 meter base with a lot less powder hounds so when the dumps come there can be freshies for days. It is not uncommon to get 20-30 cm falls of powder several days running (and as anyone who's skied Niseko knows, the Snow Japan forecast is the only forecast in the world that underestimates the snowfalls!) Check out the December and March reports by clicking on our "Snow Japan-Niseko Now" link on our homepage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find daily reports for every day of every month for the last 5 seasons.

Niseko offers more than just awesome powder skiing. There are activities to suit all tastes, such as: indoor rock climbing, tubing, snow-mobiles, karaoke, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice-climbing. There's great, fresh seafood, Japanese delicacies, local beers and Japanese chocolates (you have to try the chocolate coated, freeze-dried strawberries!!!)

In Summer there is fantastic mountain biking, fishing, hiking, world-class golf and the famous Kutchan Jazz Festival.