Photo by Mark Lehmkuhler
Niseko in Hokkaido has become the most international resort in Japan among many ski resorts across the country. If you take a walk in this town, you will hear English, Chinese and Korean, perhaps more often than the Japanese language. They also have a supermarkets & deli particularly targeted at foreign tourists. Here, you might forget the fact that you are in Japan. Many skiers and snowboarders who have been fascinated by Niseko highly praise the town, saying, “It is like a heaven” or “I would love to come back many times in the future.” What are the exact reasons why Niseko has been winning against many other ski resorts across the country? This article explores the secrets of popularity of Niseko.
Heavy snowfall and quality powder snow
Photo by Michael Holler
Niseko has the second heaviest snowfall in the world. This is because the prevailing winds from the Siberia absorb a lot of humidity when traveling across the Japan Sea, which are blocked by the mountains and cause it to snow. Siberian cold air mass is so cold that the snow is dry and light, which is known as “powder snow”. It can be so dry and light that it could be even difficult to make a snowball or a snowman out of it. It is extremely unusual to have such powder snow in a place that is close to human habitation, and this is the very reason why many skiers from the world are attracted to Niseko, hoping to leave their ski tracks on the powder snow.
Niseko United with a variety of trails
Mt. Niseko Annupuri, 1,308 meters high, is known to have the heaviest snowfall in Hokkaido. It has four ski resorts, which as a whole are called Niseko United. You can purchase a lift pass which allows you to freely enter all four resorts and you can easily access adjacent slopes near the summit. Niseko United is a perfect place for all levels of skiers from the beginners to the experts.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort Area
This resort is located at the east side of the mountain. The mid-slope of the mountain is suitable for the beginners to practice, while there are trails for intermediate and advanced skiers near the top which is accessible by lifts. In HANAZONO Park, you can try different tricks with ski and snowboard. HANAZONO Bowl, where a variety of activities for kids are offered, is also popular and it is equipped with “Magic Carpet” or a travellator.
Niseko Grand HIRAFU Area
This is the largest ski resort in Niseko United. It has 30 different trails: the steepest slope is 40 degrees and the longest slope is about 5.6 km long, so you can enjoy long distance skiing too. This is a great place for a wide range of skiers from beginner to expert.
Niseko Village Area
This resort has won Japan Best Ski Resort award in 2013 and 2014, for two consecutive years. It is known for the trails in the primeval forest and a variety of dynamic trails for intermediate and expert skiers. It has two resort hotels near the ski slopes and you can get on ski lifts just in front of the hotels.
Niseko Annupuri Area
This resort is located in the south part of the mountain and it is recommended to the beginners. Compared to the other three resorts, this resort has wider and less steep slopes, where you can enjoy skiing in a relaxed atmosphere. You can easily practice skiing for a long distance, and this is a perfect place for families with kids.
Niseko United Official Website: http://www.niseko.ne.jp/en/
Niseko Backcountry which inspires your curiosity
Backcountry stands for skiing outside the marked areas. As it has high risks of avalanche and accidents, most ski resorts in Japan forbid backcountry skiing. Niseko used to prohibit it too; however, responding to the growing popularity of backcountry skiing, they allow people to go backcountry in their own responsibilities, introducing health and safety rules called “Niseko Rules”. Once you get to the top of the mountain using the ski lift, you can access the backcountry field through nine gates. You can enjoy untouched, fresh powder snow without hiking up in the snow. In Niseko, you can find guides and guided tours focusing on backcountry skiing and they will guide you to an appropriate trail, according to your level and the weather. Some tour guides offer a service to film you while you ski in the wilderness. Be aware of the risks, and enjoy a great experience which you cannot have in marked slopes.
A great variety of after ski activities
A great thing about Niseko is that it offers a variety of after ski activities. The most popular activity is, of course, touring around hot springs. There are 15 hot springs of different qualities and properties around Mt. Niseko. You can surely find your favourite hot spring which refreshes your tired body. More hot spring facilities started to offer services like spa, body treatment and massage. One of the enjoyments at Niseko resort is food culture of Hokkaido which enjoys rich natural resources. You can find many restaurants and bars in Niseko, offering a variety of dishes such as Genghis Khan (Japanese Style Mongolian Mutton Barbecue), seafood like crabs and oysters, soup curry and ramen. Many izakaya and bars are open till late. They often hold live events and club parties for foreign tourists to enjoy the nightlife.
Good accessibility
Great accessibility is another reason for Niseko’s popularity, along with its quality of snow and facilities. There are direct flights to New Chitose Airport from Australia, China and Korea. Ski buses also operate between the airport and the ski resorts. It has now become accessible by direct flight from South East Asian countries such as Thailand and Malaysia, which made the visitors to Niseko more international. Australians make up the largest group amongst all the nationalities visiting Niseko, and many of whom repeatedly visit this town. It seems to be the case that they find it easy to take holidays during their summer vacation (while it is in winter in Japan) and there is not much time difference between Australia and Japan.
Hospitality from the locals
Niseko is welcoming for foreign tourists and they usually do not have to have Japanese language skills to get around. Menus at the restaurants and sign posts are all available in English, and every restaurant and hotel has English speaking staff. You will hear English everywhere you go. A supermarket & deli, which mainly deals with imported goods, recently opened in Niseko – this is welcomed by foreign tourists who enjoy long-term stay in condominiums. The web page and newsletter of Niseko Town Hall are available in many different languages; Town Hall also hires employees with different cultural backgrounds to deal with any issue with foreigners who do not speak Japanese. The whole town makes considerable effort to attract foreign tourists, offering welcoming atmosphere. Some people, who firstly visited Niseko as tourists, fell in love with this welcoming hospitality of the town and settled in this place.
Summary
Niseko resort has been a hot spot where people all over the world are attracted to its quality powder snow, surrounded by the spectacular scenery. Why don’t you pay a visit yourself to confirm the reason why it has so many people repeatedly come back to stay? If you do not enjoy winter sports, Niseko has more to offer than skiing and snowboarding. It is a great place to visit all year round, to enjoy a variety of activities such as rafting, trekking, horse riding and golf.
