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Niseko doesn’t need to sell itself, the snow does that. Hokkaido’s cold Siberian air rolls in over the Sea of Japan and dumps upwards of 15 metres of it most winters, the kind of light, dry powder skiers travel a long way to find. The four interconnected resorts — Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village, Annupuri and Hanazono — cover enough terrain for beginners and experts to happily ski the same mountain without getting in each other’s way.
Off the slopes, there’s plenty to fill an evening or a rest day. Hirafu’s village strip is packed with izakaya, ramen bars and international restaurants. There is also a proper onsen scene for soaking out sore legs. Add in boutique shopping, cafes, and an international crowd, and it’s easy to see why people extend their stay.
Worth a day of your trip is Rusutsu. It’s about an hour’s drive, easy enough as a day trip, and gets a fraction of Niseko’s crowds despite having some of the best tree skiing in Hokkaido. Locals rate it for exactly that reason — less queuing, more skiing.
Between the snow, the terrain and everything on offer off-mountain, Niseko holds up to the hype.
