The way to Plan the Excellent Ski Journey to Niseko United in Japan

For years, I would heard about Japow: that uniquely dry and fluffy powder solely present in Japan. I used to be informed it was the perfect on this planet, however I did not absolutely perceive till I clipped into my skis and glided by way of it.

I’ve skied mountains around the globe, from the Canadian Rockies to the French Alps and past. Nonetheless, I would by no means skilled powder fairly like I did at Niseko United, a large mountain made up of 4 interconnected resorts on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. I floated by way of the snow, watching it sail over my skis as mild as cotton sweet, and bounced alongside, virtually buoyant, kicking up tufts of powdery clouds behind me.

The world’s distinctive powder, which falls in droves, is created by chilly air from the Eurasian continent, which then flows over the nice and cozy currents of the Sea of Japan to kind a number of the driest and lightest snow on Earth. By the tip of February 2024, the mountain had obtained greater than 270 inches of snow (that is greater than 60 inches greater than Breckenridge, the hottest ski resort in the USA). And I used to be informed it had been a “unhealthy” yr.

The snow did not cease falling as I carved recent strains throughout first tracks one morning. I used to be on the Hanazono Resort, house to a number of the resort’s latest lifts, gliding down the wide-open Stairway to Heaven run. In Hanazono, the lifts welcomed skiers with heated seats and bubble covers, robotically opening and shutting to maintain you dry and heat. And runs had been barely marked, making you’re feeling such as you had been exploring quite than snowboarding in bounds.

After just a few runs, we took a pair lifts to the highest and scooted over to Niseko Tokyu Grand HIRAFU, the biggest of the 4 resorts (and probably the most crowded). There, I weaved out and in of the timber on Furiko — a crimson run, equal to a blue within the U.S. — and loved the Japanese model of an extended groomer.

Not like its counterparts, Hirafu presents the closest factor to a city, with a number of retailers and eating places alongside a hilly street main as much as the gondola and lifts. As soon as there, I checked into the superbly designed and minimalistic Setsu Niseko and dropped my skis off on the resort’s high-tech locker room earlier than strolling again into city, dotted with meals vehicles and views of Mount Yōtei — resembling a Hokkaido model of Mount Fuji.

However the perfect view I obtained of the long-lasting mountain was undoubtedly when the solar peaked out from behind the clouds on the third resort, Niseko Village. There, every resort featured ski-in-ski-out entry and ski valets, making it simple to discover the opposite half of the mountain.

After a morning spent there, I made my method to the highest through the Wonderland “pizza field” elevate (so-called as a result of it is — terrifyingly — the dimensions of a small pizza field) and traversed over to the fourth resort of Annupuri. That includes a very good array of simple inexperienced runs, I spent a while taking part in earlier than as soon as once more crossing again over to Niseko Village.

Niseko was simply one of many largest mountains I would ever skied: it appeared you would ski an entire week and by no means handle to hit each single run, not to mention the gated backcountry areas. However as in depth because the terrain was, its interconnected structure made it really feel accessible.

Here is your information on snowboarding Japan’s Niseko United and how one can expertise the perfect the mountain has to supply.

When to Go

The ski season in Japan tends to final from late November by way of April or early Might, however because the mountain depends on pure snow, it’s greatest to go when the powder is falling, which usually occurs between late December and mid-February.

The place to Keep

Setsu Niseko: This luxurious resort has every thing you’d want, from ski lockers and a shuttle to the lifts to an on-property rental store, a number of scrumptious eating places, private and non-private onsens, and extra. The rooms on the Setsu Niseko evoke a chilled vibe due to Japanese-inspired minimalist design full with heat woods, giant image home windows, and even a standard tatami house, and the general public areas are simply as welcoming with a big, trendy fire within the foyer and a enjoyable children play house for little ones to let off some steam post-slopes.

Hilton Niseko Village: This ski-in-ski-out property options an on-site rental store and ski valet subsequent to one of many resort’s principal gondolas to make going from breakfast to the slopes as simple as strolling exterior. The Hilton Niseko Village is likely one of the bigger properties within the space. Whereas the rooms is usually a bit on the older facet, the resort greater than makes up for it with a big, bustling foyer bar and on-site exercise heart (full with snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and extra). However the place the resort actually shines is its on-site onsen, which options unobstructed views of Mount Yōtei and an out of doors possibility subsequent to a pond.

Hinode Hills Niseko Village: This resort boasts well-appointed rooms and suites, together with many with fully-equipped kitchens, laundry, and spacious residing rooms to calm down after a day on the mountain. Like different lodges in Niseko Village, the Hinode Hills is ski-in-ski-out and contains an on-site rental store and ski valet, however in contrast to some others, it by no means feels crowded. The property has one restaurant (plus the power to stroll to a different) together with a comfortable in-house onsen.

The place to Eat

AFURI: This always-crowded, laid-back restaurant serves scrumptious bowls of ramen with handcrafted noodles made in-house with taste mixtures to go well with any style (together with vegan choices). Diners can select a bowl of extra conventional skinny noodles, however the true standout was the chewy, thick noodles that absorbed the marginally spicy broth as you ate them. AFURI, which sits on the bottom flooring of the Setsu Niseko resort, additionally has areas around the globe, together with within the U.S.

Gogyo Powered by Ippudo: After ordering from a pill, steaming bowls of soup are served quick at Gogyo Powered by Ippudo. Attempt the basic Hakata Tonkotsu ramen or the creamy vegetarian soy milk and Japanese broth model for a silky, umami hit. And don’t overlook to order a cup of rice to sop up any leftover broth (it’s too good to not).

Inexperienced Farm Cafe: On the Inexperienced Farm Cafe, positioned within the coronary heart of Hirafu, you order on the counter, seize a seat, and await scrumptious dishes to reach, together with every thing from avocado toast on home made bread to the hearty Caesar salad full with bacon and poached egg.

méli mélo -Yuki No Koe-: Settle in for the tasting menu at méli mélo on the bottom flooring of the Setsu Niseko. The restaurant blends French and Italian cooking with Japanese components and serves a inventive array of wagyū sushi with caviar, scallop crudo, a refreshing strawberry granita, and extra. Within the mornings, it’s reworked into a sublime breakfast buffet full with coffees made to order.

The place to Apres Ski

Bar Gyu+: This Hirafu bar is understood extra merely because the “fridge bar” for its Coca-Cola merchandising machine entrance. When you stroll by way of the fridge, you enter a comfortable house with a set of Japanese whiskies and an creative cocktail menu full with heat drinks excellent for a chilly day like the recent apple pie (made with home vanilla vodka, cinnamon, yoichi apple, lemon, and clove). Professional tip: get there early as a result of Bar Gyu+ can summon strains down the block.

Mandala Membership Niseko: This new offshoot of the Singapore hotspot sits in Niseko Village away from the hustle and bustle, however creates its personal pleasure on weekends due to a reside DJ, drink offers on Champagne, sake, and extra, and creative cocktails just like the shiso negroni. Upstairs, Mandala Membership Niseko’s Popi’s restaurant serves up a enjoyable dinner menu of fusion dishes just like the Hokkaido sea urchin spaghettini.

Off-mountain Actions

Snowmobiling: Within the winter, Niseko Village transforms its golf course right into a winter exercise heart, welcoming visitors to attempt their hand at every thing from snow rafting and horse-drawn sleigh rides to snowshoeing and extra. However for individuals who wish to go a bit sooner, hop on board a snowmobile and zoom throughout the course, zig-zagging your manner towards a phenomenal view of Mount Yōtei. The one-hour course is ideal for first-time snowmobilers because the route is already carved out, and there’s no actual off-roading. 

Snowshoeing: Snowshoeing is accessible all through Niseko, together with in Niseko Village and Hanazono. The relaxed exercise provides you one other perspective on Japan’s notorious powder as you wade by way of freshly fallen snow and stroll by way of the quiet, peaceable woods.

Snow tubing: Hanazono presents a small tubing park on the base of the mountain, full with a magic carpet elevate for teenagers — and youngsters at coronary heart. Ebook an hour-long session for simply 4,200 yen ($28.16) per tube for a enjoyable method to spend a while off the slopes.

The way to Journey

Tickets: Niseko United presents a number of elevate ticket choices, together with an all-mountain cross permitting skiers and riders to entry every of the 4 resorts concurrently. Throughout the excessive season, a one-day all-mountain cross begins at 10,500 yen ($70.40). 

Niseko United can also be on the Ikon Move and the Mountain Collective cross, which might every be redeemed for all-mountain elevate tickets. The variety of days is determined by the kind of cross members have.

Leases: There are a number of locations to get leases (together with gear and equipment like jackets or ski pants), relying on the place guests are staying. In Hirafu, for instance, Rhythm Japan has a couple of location, and there’s one other rental store within the Mountain Heart Annex proper subsequent to the gondola. And in Niseko Village, lodges every have their very own on-site rental retailers.

Mountain Stats

Niseko is made up of 4 completely different resorts that may all be accessed on the identical elevate ticket. The resorts are all interconnected from the highest of Niseko Annupuri and options greater than 2,800 skiable acres mixed.

There are runs for each stage, with 25 % listed as superior black runs, 34 % as intermediate crimson runs, and 41 % as newbie inexperienced runs. In complete, there are 31 lifts, together with a number of gondolas.

Programming: Every resort presents its personal ski and snowboard classes, from newbie classes to all-mountain explorer choices. In Hanazono, guests may join a Diamond X Professional information, which incorporates first tracks for full-day visitors.