Just visited Niseko Village and had a great time! Fantastic skiing, lovely accommodations, and friendly staff. A bit crowded at times, but overall, a wonderful winter getaway. Highly recommended! 🎿⛷️❄️
Road trip to Niseko yesterday. Arrived at Hanazono at about 9am. A warm weather spell meant the snow was pretty wet and choppy. But the crowds!!! Too many people and not enough lifts! Looks like lifts have been decommissioned on Hirafu as well as a couple weren’t going and the pizza box to the top was out of action I suspect due to high winds. There is a new gondola and a super fancy hooded 6 seater at Hanazono though. But just too crowded to be enjoyable. I get that it’s Chinese New Year and this was probably the busiest time of year, but lift lines were just too long! First skied here in 2002 and had been back a couple of times since then but the secret is now definitely out. It is now getting too overdeveloped for the size of skiable area. Too many people and crowds waiting for lifts. I don’t think I’d need to ski at Niseko again unless there are new lifts put up or replaced.
It snowed every single day while we were here and it was so powdery! We were not used to how powdery it was and how smooth snowboarding was. When it came to the snow itself 10 out of 10! I will say renting a snowboard was a nightmare! Took about two hours, which was really disappointing. It is also super crowded so getting dinner takes about an hour or two.
The snow itself: 5 stars
Ski lifts: 3 stars. Took awhile and some of them close early.
Rentals: 1 star
Food/ village: 3 stars
Niseko Village is situated in the southwestern region of Hokkaido, Japan. It is approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido.
The nearest airport to Niseko Village is New Chitose Airport (CTS) in Sapporo. From there, you can take a bus, train, or rent a car to reach Niseko Village. The journey from New Chitose Airport to Niseko Village typically takes around 2 to 3 hours by road.
The best time to visit Niseko Village for skiing and snowboarding is from late November to early May, with the peak season being December to February. This period offers the best snow conditions. For those interested in summer activities like hiking, golfing, and mountain biking, June to September is ideal.
Yes, Niseko Village has several ski schools offering lessons for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, including beginners. Private and group lessons are available, and it's recommended to book in advance, especially during peak season.
Niseko Village offers a variety of activities year-round. In winter, you can enjoy snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and onsens (hot springs). During the summer, activities such as golf, mountain biking, and hiking are popular. The area also hosts cultural experiences, such as traditional Japanese tea ceremonies.
