Niseko - Japan 2024

Here is a more details look at the simple itinerary and inclusions of the package.

This is an 8 night itinerary which gives you 6 nights in Niseko with the 7th night in the air as you would be taking the redeye flight back to the UK in the small hours of the 13th/14th landing back in the UK at 0625 on the 14th.

The proposed flights are with Japan Airlines, which also include 2 x 23kg checked luggage, one of which can be a ski/snowboard bag.

Accommodation:

Total holiday cost per person £3,375

What we refer to as Niseko ski resort is actually more than one ski resort on one mountain, Mt. Annupuri.  There are 4 individual resorts which have grouped together to form Niseko United and these are Niseko Hanazono Resort, Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village Ski Resort and Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area.  

Niseko has many other attractions during winter too; access off-piste terrain suitable for lower-intermediate to expert skiers and snowboarders; try your hand at snowshoeing, tubing, catskiing, dog sledding, or snowmobiling; discover the wonderful retail and gift shops of Niseko Village; and enjoy your nights out as much as your days on the mountain with incredible restaurants and countless cafes and bars to suit all tastes, from cosy izakaya to Michelin star fine dining.

The hotel enjoys a superb ski in ski out location, they have arguably Niseko’s best Onsen, cosy on site bar where hotel guests congregate for après into the evening, Goshiki restaurant which is where you can enjoy the complimentary amazing breakfast but is also open for lunch where they have a good menu and dinner when they offer a delicious Traditional Hot Pot dinner. Complimentary Ski & snowboard lockers and private shuttle bus to ferry you down to Niseko Village and Niseko Hirafu which is where you will find more restaurants. You can actually walk to Niseko Village, its 900 meters away and there you have the Hilton which has three excellent restaurants and in the quaint village area there is really good traditional Japanese restaurant.

Niseko is widely regarded as Asia's best ski resort, in large part due to the fact it receives the highest quality and quantity of powder snow imaginable. Niseko Hokkaido offers weather conditions that generate some of the most consistent, light, dry powder conditions in the world. The endless supply of light, fluffy snow is accessible both from within resort and in Niseko's backcountry terrain.

The Niseko All Mountain Pass provides access to all 4 zones (Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and An’nupuri) as well as the Niseko United Shuttle service. 

Niseko Hanazono Resort

The most easterly of the Niseko United resorts, two new lifts, including the Symphony Gondola, plus new restaurants and accommodation at the base of the ski lifts mean Hanazono is one of the most exciting areas to ski. Great beginner and intermediate runs are offered while the Hanazono backcountry gates offer superb access to steep and deep powder for advanced skiers and snowboarders. Hanazono 308 offers Niseko’s largest range of family activities, the and now also offers night skiing.

Snowfall: 15 metres+

Elevation: 1,043 metres

Base: 308 metres

Vertical: 732 metres

Lifts: 1 Gondola / 4 Lifts

Terrain: 22% Beginner / 66% Intermediate / 12% Expert

Niseko Grand Hirafu Resort

Grand Hirafu is the largest Niseko ski area with a range of restaurants, retail outlets, supermarkets and bars. If that isn’t enough, Grand Hirafu allows you to experience the exhilarating wonder of fresh powder snow under lights with arguably the world’s best and most extensive night skiing. While most Niseko resorts require a traverse at the top of the mountain to ski from one to the other, you can access Hanazono from the top of Hirafu’s Swinging Monkey chair lift, making it easy for intermediates to ski between the two resorts.

Snowfall: 15 metres+

Elevation: 1,200 metres

Base: 260 metres

Vertical: 940 metres

Lifts: 1 Gondola / 12 Lifts

Terrain: 30% Beginner / 38% Intermediate / 32% Expert

Niseko Village Resort

Niseko Village is located between Annupuri and Grand Hirafu ski resorts and offers a variety of groomed runs for all abilities, and some of the local’s favourite off piste terrain, especially since the Mizuno no Sawa area was opened up to visitors. With some of Niseko’s top ski in ski out hotels located at its base, Niseko Village also offers family-oriented activities, from snowmobiling and snow rafting to snowshoe tours and reindeer sled rides, and recently opened up more gentle terrain closer to the base of the mountain for beginners.

Elevation: 1,170 metres

Base: 280 metres

Vertical: 890 metres

Lifts: 3 Gondolas / 8 Lifts

Terrain: 36% Beginner / 32% Intermediate / 32% Expert

Niseko Annupuri Resort

Annupuri Ski Area is the westernmost Niseko ski resort and a favourite of many visitors due to it’s long, open pistes, which are suitable for all levels of winter sports enthusiasts. Beginners and intermediates will love cruising down the high quality groomers, while easy access to the famous Annupuri powder bowls makes the resort a favourite among those seeking the best of Niseko’s deep powder. Annupuri tends to be the quietest of the 4 Niseko resorts, making it a great place to head for first tracks!

Elevation:1,156 metres

Base: 400 metres

Vertical: 756 metres

Lifts: 1 Gondola / 6 Lifts

Terrain: 30% Beginner / 50% Intermediate / 20% Expert

Travel Insurance with off piste cover - You will require this, so if you have an annual policy, please check that it has this cover in place.

Exchange Rate is approx £1 - 162JPY

Equipment - Skis/ Snowboards can be rented in resort, we can facilitate this and pre book.

Ski width - It's suggested that a min of 100mm under foot is a must for the powder. The terrain is shallower than European mountains, so its all about floating!

Off piste Equipement - Shovel/ Probe/ Transceiver, all can be hired in resort, but if you have your own then bring it. There are mixed views from many about whether they are required as for many the risk of avalanches is not a high priority. Personally I think its better to be prepared.

Shuttle Buses/ Taxi - It seems the preferred option to use the resort shuttle buses over taxi's. Taxi's are known to be expensive.

Eating on the mountain - A lot less options, but options no the less. Not all take credit cards, so we will need some cash.

English Speaking - There is a high volume of English speaking customers and workers, so its not going to be that difficult for us.

Flights - The idea is to fly from London overnight to Tokyo, then get through the entry requirements to then check in for an afternoon flight to Sapporo. General practice when the flights aren't interconnecting is to allow 4 hour buffer between these flights. This would mean an evening arrival into resort.

Guides - There are options to have guides, and to get the most out of the trip I would suggest we use them for the first couple of days. The prices/ group sizes seem to vary, but the cost is anywhere between £80 - £120 per day per person.

Touring/ Ski lifts - A lot of the skiing is accesable and assisted by the lifts, but we will know more in due course. 

Entry Requirements to Japan - Entry requirements - Japan travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)