Welcome back to skiing through life! This week we’ll be traveling around the world, all the way over to Japan to learn more about the Niseko Mountain Resort Grand Hirafu. This resort actually comprises 4 different ski resorts each with their own variety in terrain. The mountain is world-renowned for its yearlong powder trails and attracts many non-Japanese skiers and snowboarders because of this powder. Keeping in mind our four categories (trails, lessons/programs, acres-ski activities, and lodging), let’s get started!
Trails
Compared to other ski resorts in Japan, Niseko frequently wins the best skiing in Japan awards for the best powder skiing, the best off-piste skiing, and the best backcountry skiing, and again for the amount of snowfall it receives each year. One of the perks of skiing here is that the resort has many groomed trails whic
h is perfect for families or people just learning how to ski or for anyone that does not want to ski straight powder/un-groomed trails. The resort also includes great tree-skiing which is often an attraction for higher-level skiers. In addition to a great variety of trails, Niseko has gondolas and hooded chair lifts because they so often have bad weather. Although the bad weather and the cold might be seen as a negative for this resort, it’s that weather that brings in so much snow, so most visitors to this resort don’t usually mind.
Lessons/Programs
At Niseko, all lessons and programs are given out of the grand Hirafu ski school. The ski school offers everything from group lessons and private lessons to nature hiking programs and specialized kids programs. With the kids programs, most of the kids are signed up for full-day lessons and will even receive lunch during the program. The popular nature hiking tour brings visitors on private group tour through tranquil winter forests covered in snow. These tours are conducted most often using snow shoes but sometimes snow ramblers are used when the snow total gets really high.
Apres-Ski Activities
Overall, Niseko boasts 10 restaurants/cafes on the mountain for when guests need a break from the slopes. Some of the more popular restaurants include the Tanta-an restaurant and cafe, King Bell Hut, Rest House Ace Hill, and Hanazono 308. If you’re not traveling with kids, there are lots of bars in and around the Niseko United area that specialized Japanese whisky and regional craft beers. The apes-ski scene in Niseko has often been described as having a Western feel because of its American-inspired bar food, beer, and live music. Another popular apres-ski activity in Japan is going to an onsen or a hot spring. Here guests can enjoy the tradition Japanese practice of soaking in thermal baths. Most hotels and resorts in the area will have onsens and some areas have simple standalone facilities.
Lodging
Lastly, some of the best lodging in Niseko is found at one of the main resorts, the Grand Hirafu. Here there are two great hotels, the Hotel Niseko Alpen, and the Aya Niseko. Hotel Niseko Alpen is located right next to one of the main Hirafu chair lifts making this hotel nearly ski-in and ski-out which is a major attraction for visiting skiers. The hotel also offers shops, laundry facilities, lockers for ski gear, and karaoke. At the Aya Niseko, this hotel offers beautiful views of Mt. Yotei, an onsen hot spring, yoga rooms, and even a kids clubs.
Overall, it doesn’t get better than Niseko if you’re looking for a powdery ski trip considering that they’ve gotten 45 feet of snow in one year in the past! This resort is great for the international traveler who’s looking to immerse themself in a very different culture and get in some great skiing while doing so.