Niseko

Niseko (ニセコ) is the most famous ski resort in Japan, known for having tons of light powder snow, spectacular backcountry and a large number of foreigners - especially Australians - who in recent decades have been responsible for popularizing the resort area with the skiing and snowboarding community outside of Japan. As a result, Niseko's resorts are very accessible and welcoming to foreign visitors, which they keep busy with plenty of vast, long ski runs, endless powder, and a growing number of after-ski activities.

In addition to kilometers of ski trails, many of Niseko's resorts offer winter adventure seekers the option to explore off trail skiing, a relatively uncommon attraction at most other ski resorts in Japan. The backcountry can be accessed through special gates around the resorts or experienced on guided tours and helicopter tours. The latter is also possible on nearby Mount Yotei, a nearly perfect volcanic cone, which can be seen from Niseko.

Niseko's ski resorts are all located on Mount Niseko-Annupuri. Three major resorts, Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Annupuri, cover most of the southeastern half of the mountain while a few smaller resorts dot their perimeter. The big three are joined together with each other at the top of the mountain, and it is possible to ski between them, while shuttle buses connect their bases. The Niseko All Mountain Pass gives access to all three resorts.

Grand Hirafu is the largest of the resorts with over a dozen lifts and a secondary base at Hanazono on the east side of the mountain. Grand Hirafu is the only of the three resorts that has a sizable town area around its main base, Hirafu Town, which is packed with a variety of hotels, pensions and holiday homes. The town also offers an interesting range of restaurants and bars with an active nightlife.

Hirafu Town is very foreigner friendly, and an evening stroll about the area will take you past plenty of lively restaurants with the sounds of English voices wafting out. It is almost like visiting a foreign country within Japan, as many of the eateries offer English menus by default and convenience stores sell a wider range of imported foods than elsewhere in Japan.

A 15 minute bus ride to the east of Hirafu is the town center of Kutchan with Kutchan Station. The biggest city in the area, Kutchan has more shopping and dining options, but is not as convenient a base for skiers as Hirafu.

The next largest resort on the mountain is Niseko Village (formerly known as Higashiyama). Located west of Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village offers two large hotels, including the Hilton Niseko Village, some townhouse accommodation and "the Village", a small collection of restaurants, bars and boutiques.

Further west lies Annupuri resort. Its ski trails are not quite as steep or as wide as those of the other two resorts, but they also tend to be somewhat less crowded. At Annupuri's base stands a resort hotel and a small collection of pensions and holiday homes. Nearby dining and nightlife options are scarce.

Moiwa is a small, fourth ski resort that lies just west of Annupuri. Moiwa is not covered by the Niseko All Mountain Pass, nor is it possible to ski from Moiwa to the other resorts. As such it tends to be less crowded and is popular among those who prefer a smaller sized resort and among beginners. A few hotels and pensions are spread near Moiwa's base, but they do not create much of a town feeling.

About a 15-25 minute bus ride from Niseko's western resorts lies the town center of Niseko with Niseko Station. The small town does not offer many dining or nightlife options, nor is it a convenient base for skiers.

Passes

Resorts