Tired of the same old ski slopes, the “usual” snow, the same old stuff in the Alps and Dolomites? If you can plan ahead, you could experience the thrill of skiing on the other side of the world, this year. In Japan, for example. And precisely in a region rarely considered by international tourists… Too bad, because it’s beautiful. The island of Hokkaido, the northernmost part of the Japanese archipelago, is a land of ice and long, cold winters. And while this has little “Japanese charm” in general, for ski lovers it’s pure passion.
Places like Niseko, Yotei Volcano, or Mount Moiwa are fantastic, especially if you love the so-called “white powder”… the abundant, soft snow. In order to reach these lands, your primary point of reference will be Sapporo Shin Chitose Airport (CTS). The ski resorts are about a two-hour highway drive from the terminal.
From Sapporo to Niseko
The airport, located in Chitose City, serves Sapporo. The capital of Hokkaido and “capital of the north,” Sapporo is a city that has little appeal to foreign tourists but its beauty is worth revisiting. Perhaps less artistic than Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagasaki, and other cities on classic Japanese tours, it offers many ideas for interesting tours in its own small way.
In Sapporo, you can admire elegant parks (Odori Park, Moerenuma, Mount Moiwa Forests), ancient palaces (Beer Museum, Old Governorate), colourful markets, lively and unconventional venues such as those in the Susukino area, and open-air museums such as the Old Village. But Sapporo’s most famous landmark is undoubtedly ice, which is used to create buildings and real art works in winter.
Sapporo is also the capital of winter sports. The city’s minimal one-hour drive from Japan’s major ski slopes makes it a key base for enthusiasts. In fact, the Niseko tourist area is within easy reach.
Niseko: Japan’s Ski Paradise
Niseko is a resort located atop the mountains of the same name. It is made up of four towns that have literally federated to jointly manage the winter sports industry, creating a network of 51 km of slopes spread across 32 facilities.
Hirafu is the heart of the resorts: it is the largest town in the area and, naturally, home to the main hotels, restaurants, facilities, and shops for skiing. Here, you can also party wildly at night, with nightclubs and a vibrant nightlife.
Niseko Village is the second urban center in the area. In addition to hotels and restaurants, it is home to some of the best ski slopes in the area.
Niseko Annapuri is a small, quiet town located just a little further from the two main resorts. It lacks nightlife and there are not many shops, but it’s the best place to enjoy a wider selection of slopes (which are also not very steep and very easy).
Finally, Hanazono is the ideal village for families with children. It offers ski schools, theme parks, specially designed entertainment, and the opportunity to tackle easy slopes with any type of equipment… including sleds.
What you need to know about Niseko
Regarding Niseko’s ski slopes, you should know that most (22 km) are easy and suitable for beginners or families with children. About 18 km of slopes are of medium difficulty, while the remaining 10 km are difficult slopes for professionals only.
The slopes in the Village are the steepest, with a record-breaking 7.5 km run with a vertical drop of 933 meters; the most difficult run, however, starts from Hirafu, with a 130-meter vertical drop over less than 1 km of descent.
All the villages offer “onsen”, hot spring baths, to complement your days on the slopes. This means that—regardless of your accommodation—when you return tired from skiing, you can always relax by soaking in these tubs and rejuvenating yourself. In Niseko, you can even ski at night thanks to the excellent slope lighting.
You should come to Niseko because…
You should book your vacation in Niseko, on the island of Hokkaido, because:
• you can ski in complete safety
• you can ski with the view of a volcano (Mount Yotei) before your eyes
• the services quality/price ratio is excellent
• you can “take notes” for a summer vacation too, since Niseko—with its forests, waterfalls, and shrines hidden among the mountains—is an excellent destination in any season!
