NISEKO JAPAN
Over the past 25 years Niseko ski resort has grown into the most famous in Japan owing to its status as a powder paradise for skiers and snowboarders in search of the best snow conditions in the world. The combination of incredible deep powder snow, terrain for beginners through to advanced riders, stunning places to stay, atmospheric buzz, and countless village amenities are among the many reasons for Niseko’s popularity.
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Niseko United Ski Resorts
What we refer to as Niseko ski resort is actually more than one ski resort on one mountain, Mt. Annupuri. As can be seen from the Niseko United trail map, there are 4 individual resorts which have grouped together to form Niseko United and these are Hanazono, Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Annupuri. There is no need to choose between resorts however, as all 4 Niseko United ski areas are covered under the same All Mountain lift pass and connected both by upper ski lifts and bus routes that connect the base of the ski areas.
Niseko United has many other attractions during winter too; access off-piste terrain suitable for lower-intermediate to expert skiers and snowboarders; try your hand at snowshoeing, tubing, catskiing, dog sledding, or snowmobiling; discover the wonderful retail and gift shops of Niseko Village; and enjoy your nights out as much as your days on the mountain with incredible restaurants and countless cafes and bars to suit all tastes, from cosy izakaya to Michelin star fine dining.
In addition to the 4 interconnected Niseko United resorts described below is Niseko Moiwa, located on the Western side of Annupuri. Moiwa is a smaller but excellent area due to the same amount of excellent powder snow with a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere. The combination of world class snow conditions and variety of terrain makes Niseko Japan one of the most exciting ski destinations in the World.
If you’re lucky enough to be heading up the mountain today, check the Niseko United website which provides live information on the status of every lift.
Niseko Hanazono Resort
The most easterly of the Niseko United resorts, two new lifts, including the Symphony Gondola, plus new restaurants and accommodation at the base of the ski lifts mean Hanazono is one of the most exciting areas to ski. Great beginner and intermediate runs are offered while the Hanazono backcountry gates offer superb access to steep and deep powder for advanced skiers and snowboarders. Hanazono 308 offers Niseko’s largest range of family activities, the and now also offers night skiing.
| Season | December – April |
| Snowfall | 15 metres+ |
| Elevation | 1,043 metres |
| Base | 308 metres |
| Vertical | 732 metres |
| Park | Yes |
| Lifts | 1 Gondola / 4 Lifts |
| Terrain | 22% Beginner / 66% Intermediate / 12% Expert |
| Best For | Park, families, backcountry powder |
| Trail Map | Niseko Hanazono Trail Map |
| Lift Passes | Niseko United Lift Pass Info |
| Lift Status | Current Hanazono Lift Operation |
| Official Site | https://hanazononiseko.com/en |
NISEKO HANAZONO ACCOMMODATION
Niseko Grand Hirafu Resort
Grand Hirafu is the largest Niseko ski resort with a huge range of accommodation located in Hirafu Village, restaurants, retail outlets, supermarkets and bars. If that isn’t enough, Grand Hirafu allows you to experience the exhilarating wonder of fresh powder snow under lights with arguably the world’s best and most extensive night skiing. While most Niseko resorts require a traverse at the top of the mountain to ski from one to the other, you can access Hanazono from the top of Hirafu’s Swinging Monkey chair lift, making it easy for intermediates to ski between the two resorts.
| Season | December – May |
| Snowfall | 15 metres+ |
| Elevation | 1,200 metres |
| Base | 260 metres |
| Vertical | 940 metres |
| Park | No (available at Hanazono) |
| Lifts | 1 Gondola / 12 Lifts |
| Terrain | 30% Beginner / 38% Intermediate / 32% Expert |
| Best For | Biggest ski area, access Hirafu, night skiing |
| Trail Map | Niseko Grand Hirafu Trail Map |
| Lift Passes | Niseko United Lift Pass Info |
| Lift Status | Current Grand Hirafu Lift Operation |
| Official Site | https://www.grand-hirafu.jp |
HIRAFU VILLAGE ACCOMMODATION
Niseko Village Resort
Niseko Village is located between Annupuri and Grand Hirafu ski resorts and offers a variety of groomed runs for all abilities, and some of the local’s favourite off piste terrain, especially since the Mizuno no Sawa area was opened up to visitors. With some of Niseko’s top ski in ski out accommodation options and large luxury hotels located at its base, Niseko Village also offers family-oriented activities, from snowmobiling and snow rafting to snowshoe tours and reindeer sled rides, and recently opened up more gentle terrain closer to the base of the mountain for beginners.
| Season | December – April |
| Snowfall | 15 metres+ |
| Elevation | 1,170 metres |
| Base | 280 metres |
| Vertical | 890 metres |
| Park | No |
| Lifts | 3 Gondolas / 8 Lifts |
| Terrain | 36% Beginner / 32% Intermediate / 32% Expert |
| Best For | Ski in ski out, families |
| Trail Map | Niseko Village Trail Map |
| Lift Passes | Niseko United Lift Pass Info |
| Lift Status | Current Niseko Village Lift Operation |
| Official Site | https://niseko-village.com |
NISEKO VILLAGE ACCOMMODATION
Niseko Annupuri Resort
Annupuri Ski Area is the westernmost Niseko ski resort and a favourite of many visitors due to it’s long, open pistes, which are suitable for all levels of winter sports enthusiasts. Beginners and intermediates will love cruising down the high quality groomers, while easy access to the famous Annupuri powder bowls makes the resort a favourite among those seeking the best of Niseko’s deep powder. Annupuri tends to be the quietest of the 4 Niseko resorts, making it a great place to head for first tracks!
| Season | December – May |
| Snowfall | 15 metres+ |
| Elevation | 1,156 metres |
| Base | 400 metres |
| Vertical | 756 metres |
| Park | No |
| Lifts | 1 Gondola / 6 Lifts |
| Terrain | 30% Beginner / 50% Intermediate / 20% Expert |
| Best For | Groomers, backcountry & sidecountry powder |
| Trail Map | Niseko Annupuri Trail Map |
| Lift Passes | Niseko United Lift Pass Info |
| Lift Status | Current Niseko Annupuri Lift Operation |
| Official Site | https://annupuri.info |
Why Choose Niseko
Niseko is the most popular of Japan’s many ski resorts because of its powder, its accessible terrain for beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders, and the buzzing resort atmosphere of its main hub, Hirafu Village. If the ultimate powder is what you are looking for, then Hokkaido resorts provide your best chance of experiencing it. You can get great powder snow in lots of ski resorts, sometimes. Mainland Japan resorts like Hakuba offer powder just as good as Niseko on a good day, but Hokkaido simply has more good days. In fact, throughout peak season months of January and February, your chances of not experiencing world class powder in Niseko are slim, and that is why it stands out as the powder mecca of the world. For more information about the pros and cons of visiting Niseko during different months of the season, check out our Japan Ski Season Guide.
The joy that can be had from riding Niseko powder makes the ski resort ideal for longer as well as shorter stays. While most holidaymakers have about a week to spare, powder hounds from all over the world find head to Niseko for the season if they can to explore Niseko United and surrounding Western Hokkaido resorts such as Moiwa, Rusutsu, Kiroro and Sapporo Teine. Japan Ski Experience can help you find accommodation to suit your requirements, whether it be 5 nights or a much longer stay.
If you are concerned that Niseko’s location on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido makes it hard to get to, think again. Niseko can be accessed easily via bus transfer from Sapporo New Chitose Airport which is a direct flight from many international airports, or via Tokyo. Check our Getting to Niseko article for more information. And if you are looking for yet more reasons to choose Niseko for your holiday, you may also be interested to hear that it offers a wider range of accommodation and more early booking deals than any other resort! What’s more our specialised Niseko team will help you find the perfect accommodation for your stay and put all services together to create an easy to book Niseko ski holiday package.
What’s New in Niseko
Over the years that Japan’s borders have been closed, international skiers and snowboarders have been unable to experience the many developments that have taken place in Niseko. Here is a sneak peak for you to enjoy before you make it back over!
Niseko Accommodation
Luxury New Apartment Complexes
Hirafu Village has seen an explosion of new Niseko accommodation over the past couple of years, especially luxury apartment complexes with the highest standards of facilities seen in Niseko to date. If brand new, five star self-contained properties appeal, then you will love Sansui Niseko, Setsu Niseko, Intuition, Yamakei Residences and Shinka Niseko.
Niseko Lifts & Courses
Hanazono Symphony Gondola & Hanazono 1 Lift
The first season of the pandemic was the first season of Hanazono’s Symphony Gondola and new Hanazono 1 Lift. The lifts not only improve existing infrastructure, but open up new terrain, providing new access to Juicy Fruit ski course (formerly part of Stairway to Heaven) and the addition of a brand new course, Colly’s Folly.
Niseko Restaurants
Afuri Ramen & Ichi Ichi Niseko
Niseko’s development as a world class ski area can be seen in its growing range of exceptional dining experiences. New places to try include AFURI Niseko, a popular Tokyo ramen and dumpling chain which infuses its broth with Yuzu, and Ichi Ichi Kitchen which specialises ‘farm to plate’ cuisine.
Fitness and Community Center
The Yard Niseko
The Yard Niseko is much more than a fitness center, it is a community space offering a coffee shop serving fresh local vegetarian and vegan food and cold pressed juices, it is a skate room and a co work space in a pet friendly, kid friendly social environment. But the fitness courses stand out and will be great for international guests looking for things to do off the slopes in Niseko this winter.
