Learn how 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 advised it was the very best on the planet, however I did not absolutely perceive till I clipped into my skis and glided via it.

I’ve skied mountains world wide, 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, an enormous mountain made up of 4 interconnected resorts on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. I floated via the snow, watching it sail over my skis as gentle as cotton sweet, and bounced alongside, nearly 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 among the driest and lightest snow on Earth. By the top of February 2024, the mountain had acquired greater than 270 inches of snow (that is greater than 60 inches greater than Breckenridge, the hottest ski resort in america). And I used to be advised it had been a “dangerous” 12 months.

The snow did not cease falling as I carved contemporary traces throughout first tracks one morning. I used to be on the Hanazono Resort, house to among 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, mechanically opening and shutting to maintain you dry and heat. And runs have been barely marked, making you’re feeling such as you have been exploring relatively 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 most important of the 4 resorts (and probably the most crowded). There, I weaved out and in of the bushes on Furiko — a purple run, equal to a blue within the U.S. — and loved the Japanese model of an extended groomer.

In contrast to its counterparts, Hirafu presents the closest factor to a city, with a number of retailers and eating places alongside a hilly highway 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 lodge’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 very best 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 lodge featured ski-in-ski-out entry and ski valets, making it straightforward 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” raise (so-called as a result of it is — terrifyingly — the scale of a small pizza field) and traversed over to the fourth resort of Annupuri. That includes a great array of straightforward 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 intensive because the terrain was, its interconnected format made it really feel accessible.

This is your information on snowboarding Japan’s Niseko United and find out how to expertise the very best the mountain has to supply.

When to Go

The ski season in Japan tends to final from late November via April or early Could, however for the reason that mountain depends on pure snow, it’s finest 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 part 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 relaxing vibe because of Japanese-inspired minimalist design full with heat woods, massive image home windows, and even a standard tatami area, and the general public areas are simply as welcoming with a big, fashionable fire within the foyer and a enjoyable youngsters play area 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 predominant gondolas to make going from breakfast to the slopes as straightforward as strolling outdoors. The Hilton Niseko Village is among the bigger properties within the space. Whereas the rooms generally is a bit on the older aspect, the lodge 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 lodge actually shines is its on-site onsen, which options unobstructed views of Mount Yōtei and an out of doors choice subsequent to a pond.

Hinode Hills Niseko Village: This lodge 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 motels in Niseko Village, the Hinode Hills is ski-in-ski-out and consists of an on-site rental store and ski valet, however not like some others, it by no means feels crowded. The property has one restaurant (plus the flexibility to stroll to a different) together with a comfy 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 swimsuit any style (together with vegan choices). Diners can select a bowl of extra conventional skinny noodles, however the actual standout was the chewy, thick noodles that absorbed the marginally spicy broth as you ate them. AFURI, which sits on the bottom ground of the Setsu Niseko lodge, additionally has areas world wide, 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. Strive the traditional Hakata Tonkotsu ramen or the creamy vegetarian soy milk and Japanese broth model for a silky, umami hit. And don’t neglect 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 anticipate scrumptious dishes to reach, together with every part from avocado toast on selfmade 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 ground of the Setsu Niseko. The restaurant blends French and Italian cooking with Japanese elements 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 thought extra merely because the “fridge bar” for its Coca-Cola merchandising machine entrance. When you stroll via the fridge, you enter a comfy area with a group of Japanese whiskies and an creative cocktail menu full with heat drinks good 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 traces 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 because of a dwell 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 company to strive their hand at every part from snow rafting and horse-drawn sleigh rides to snowshoeing and extra. However for many who need to go a bit quicker, hop on board a snowmobile and zoom throughout the course, zig-zagging your means towards a stupendous view of Mount Yōtei. The one-hour course is ideal for first-time snowmobilers for the reason that 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 via freshly fallen snow and stroll via the quiet, peaceable woods.

Snow tubing: Hanazono presents a small tubing park on the base of the mountain, full with a magic carpet raise 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.

Learn how to Journey

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

Niseko United can also be on the Ikon Go and the Mountain Collective move, which may every be redeemed for all-mountain raise tickets. The variety of days is dependent upon the kind of move 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 multiple location, and there’s one other rental store within the Mountain Middle Annex proper subsequent to the gondola. And in Niseko Village, motels every have their very own on-site rental retailers.

Mountain Stats

Niseko is made up of 4 totally different resorts that may all be accessed on the identical raise 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 purple 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 can even join a Diamond X Professional information, which incorporates first tracks for full-day company.