Winter in Niseko...
Niseko sits on Japan’s northernmost Island of Hokkaido and due to both the quality and reliability of the snow, has developed a reputation as Asia’s No.1 ski destination. From mid December until the end of March each year, Niseko Japan, is blanketed by a massive 15 metres of the lightest, driest powder snow on the planet.
The Resort
The ski fields comprise of four different resorts (Annupuri, Higashiyama, Hirafu and Hanazano) which all interlink at the top of Mt. Annupuri. All four resorts can be accessed with the use of one All Mountain Lift Pass. Niseko has 34 chair lifts and 3 Gondolas which can take you to a myriad of different ski and boarding environments, including nearly 50kms of groomed runs, terrain parks and acres of deep powder forests. The lifts are open for 12 hours each day from 8.30am until 8.30pm.
For the young and young at heart, give the Hanazano Adventure Park a go. Try sledding/tobogganing or go snow tubing behind a snow mobile. If that’s not enough for you, spend some time perfecting your moves in Hanazano’s world class terrain park and half pipe.
Night Skiing
One of the truly unique activities, you must try if you visit Niseko, is to experience Night Skiing. Niseko Hirafu Resort has one of the largest, and best lit, night skiing areas in the world. The lifts are open until 8.30pm each night in winter and almost the entire mountain is illuminated. The slopes take on a magical appearance at night and the mountain is virtually deserted.
Niseko Ski Field Statistics
Season Duration
Mountain base altitude
Mountain Peak altitude
Vertical Drop
Longest Run
Lift Operating Hours
Lift Numbers
Mountain Restaurants
Run Breakdown
5 months (from December until the end of April)
300 metres
1309 metres
1009 metres
5.6 kms
8.30am – 8.30pm
34 Chairlifts and 3 Gondolas
17
30% Beginners, 40% Intermediate, 30% Advanced