For skiing in Japan - Niseko

The Niseko Resort routes await avid skiers on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. It is said that on the local routes there is the lightest, fluffy snow in the world, which is largely due to the regular blowing of strong Siberian wind on the slopes. The ski season lasts from December to May, with an average of 590 cm of snowfall each year . The town itself is very easy to get to from all nearby resorts, which is another incentive for anyone who would like to test their skiing skills in an exotic country.

Today, Niseko is the most famous ski resort in Japan. It is visited by many tourists from all over the world, including a large number of Australians who have significantly contributed to the development of the resort itself and the popularization of skiing and snowboarding in this area. In 2008, it became known to a wider audience for the first time - it was included in the list of the 10 best ski resorts in the world. He was ranked sixth, eliminating the remaining "novices".

Niseko - adrenaline and great views

Niseko is a unique place, located on the slopes of Niseko-Annupuri. It is a combination of several independent ski resorts (Niseko Village, Grand Hirafu and Annupuri), which you can get to know after purchasing one pass. Purchase of a 1-day Niseko All Mountain Pass costs 5,200 yen. An additional advantage is the fact that you do not need to take your skis off to move smoothly between the routes. Together, these resorts form 2,191 acres of ski area known as Niseko United. 61 ski runs are supported by a system of 38 lifts (mainly gondolas and chairlifts). There are regular ski buses between the smaller areas below.

In the immediate vicinity of the main centers of the ministry there are other areas, often not included on the maps. One of them is Sannozaka, tempting with high-quality snow, but not entirely safe due to the high risk of avalanches. A huge challenge for adrenaline lovers is also Higashi One, also prone to avalanches, but attracting daredevils with extremely difficult terrain conditions. Cross-country skiers will definitely be interested in the route that stretches through the forest - Strawberry Fields is probably the most famous cross-country trail in Niseko.

Night madness on Japanese slopes

The resort offers visitors not only excellent skiing conditions and a well-organized infrastructure. Niseko is great for day and night rides. The routes are perfectly lit (this is one of the many advantages of the resort), and some of them run through a birch forest, which adds charm and picturesque scenery. Apart from that, these routes are best protected against cold winds. They are perfect for skiers and snowboarders. The longest slope is 5,600 meters and the steepest slope is 37 °. There are 30% of routes for beginners, the same number of routes awaits professionals, and 40% are routes for intermediate skiers.

Snow fans visiting the resort have the opportunity to explore the areas with an experienced guide, Niseko also tempts them with helicopter tours. Among other things, this way you can climb the summit of Mount Yōtei (another name for this mountain is Makkari Nupuri), a stratovolcano visible from the resort's trails.

A good idea for any time of the year

Initially, Niseko was known mainly as a winter sports center. Gradually, it gained more and more fame as a center with a varied offer of summer activities, attracting tourists interested in active recreation during the holidays. Today, it tempts new guests with the possibility of playing tennis, golf, horse riding and fishing, as well as kayaking, rafting, trekking and cycling. And that's just a fraction of the entertainment you can find here. The percentage of guests from all over the world, growing every year, resulted in the gradual expansion of the Après Ski offer. Regular buses allow tourists the freedom to choose the time they want to end their partying and reach the hotel at any time. One such line is the Kutchan Night Go bus, which runs between Kutchan station and Grand Hirafu. The course costs 100 yen.

If you want to get to know the slopes of Niseko, you should have wider skis or a slightly longer snowboard. It is also wise to stock up on cash, as most shops and restaurants do not accept credit cards. During a break between the madness on the routes, it is worth going on a trip to the nearby cities of Otaru and Sapporo. Although we do not plan our stay at the resort, we will enjoy our vacation in this beautiful area with fantastic views.