Winter Season
Want to experience Japan skiing with true ski-in ski-out access? Plan your next ski holiday with us and enjoy the best ski resort location in Niseko. The ski season starts from early December and ends late April. During this time the resort is covered in a blanket of snow with an astonishing 15m average snowfall a year.
Powder Guiding & Tours
Enjoy pristine powder, spectacular views and backcountry adventure.
We work with the area's leading backcountry guiding companies, who can show you the best terrain and deepest powder stashes these mountains have to offer. Whether you're just beginning to explore off-piste skiing, or are a seasoned off-piste adventurer, our local knowledge of Niseko and connections with the area's schools and guides, will allow you to get the most out of your trip to one of the snowiest places on earth.
Snowsports
A visit to Niseko offers the opportunity to try many other exciting snowsports, in addition to skiing and snowboarding. Snow shoeing, snowmobiling and snow tubing are all fun ways to enjoy the snowy landscape! Take a look at our Winter Concierge page for further inspiration.
Cultural Activities
Niseko is most famous for its powder, but there is a lot to experience off the mountain too. Relax and rejuvenate in one of the area's many onsen (hot springs). Enjoy Hokkaido's famous fresh produce in a Japanese cooking workshop. Beyond the resort there's sightseeing and day trips to explore other parts of beautiful Hokkaido. Eat some of the world's best sushi in Otaru, enjoy shopping in cosmopolitan Sapporo or admire the spectacular Lake Toya.
Winter Festivals
There are many festivals and events celebrating the winter season in Hokkaido. During New Year's Eve watch the mountain come alive with a torchlight skiing parade. In February, the annual Sapporo Snow Festival takes place: it attracts over two million visitors with its hundreds of beautiful snow statues and ice sculptures. Otaru also hosts its own winter festival, the Snow Light Path Festival. The snow-covered town with glittering lanterns creates a breathtakingly beautiful atmosphere.
Ski Nearby Mountains
Niseko is not the only place to find fresh powder. Nearby resorts offer different terrain, secret powder stashes and fresh tracks to explore. The closest nearby ski resort is Rusutsu, just a 45 minute drive away from Niseko-Hirafu. It has an extensive network of high-speed lifts, making access to the famous Hokkaido powder that much easier. Kiroro is another great option for a skiing day-trip: located an hour's drive away, the resort covers two mountains with 21 runs and diverse off-piste terrain.