Whilst Niseko has some amazing and super light powder snow skiing over 4 mountains, if you are after a day skiing elsewhere and a change of scenery try Kokusai which is about 70 mins drive away from Niseko. The drive over is quite beautiful and well worth it.
We skied there both early January and late February with one of the best “powder” days for the season.
Well, what a season it has turned out to be.
With a slow start which had many Niseko veterans worried, the snow arrived and has not stopped.
David and I were lucky enough to be able to spend from mid December 2015-end February 2016 in Japan with the odd side trip to the UK for Christmas, the US (Jackson Hole) and Singapore but largely in Japan.
Our trip began with 6 days in Hakuba from 16th December. Sadly there was little snow there for our 6 days of skiing however we could imagine that when the snow did eventually fall, the skiing would be great. Very different scenery to Niseko, more like the Alps and quite spectacular. David managed to tag along with some mountain guides who did 2 training days up very high and the rest of the time we did a little touring. We visited Matsumoto Castle, or Crow Castle as it is locally known due to its black exterior, in Matsumoto City and Jenkoji Temple in Nagano City. If you do have the time to make it here make sure that you also walk around the surrounding streets which are filled with lovely traditional buildings and shops. A visit to that part of Japan would not have been complete without a drive to Jigokudani Monkey Park at Yamanouchi to see the famous Snow Monkeys bathing in their own hot spring up in the mountains. What a sight!
Last Thursday, 8th October 2015 Typhoon Choi-Wan caused havoc in Niseko.
New Chitose Airport was closed for the day with all flights cancelled, trees were uprooted, some houses lost their roofs and many roads were closed.
For those wanting to ski in Niseko, you must consider doing a few nights in Kyoto either before or after your skiing in Niseko. Stay in or near Gion and you may be lucky enough to see a Geisha. This one we saw out on a Saturday afternoon and she was very young and just so graceful.
The Niseko Cow Parade closing Party was held at Ki last Saturday.
It was a great evening attended mostly by locals and sponsors with the food supplied by acclaimed and very talented chef Shinichi Maeda. You will see the Fubuki cow standing outside Fubuki 3 where she will live for now.
Fubuki Niseko guests can take advantage of a very special offer thanks to the professional team at Rhythm Niseko in Central Hirafu.
Rhythm Snow Sports Japan is offering FREE kids rental for the entire month of March at Rhythm Niseko. For every adult renting a premium or standard rental package, a child can rent a corresponding kids package for FREE! Visit RHYTHM Niseko to book & for more details; do note terms & conditions do apply.
Niseko’s spring skiing season also heralds longer days and higher chance of bluebird weather on those fabulous powder days, so there’s never a better time to travel with your family.
Book your Niseko holiday online with us today to take advantage of this offer.
The Cow Parade, the world’s largest public art exhibition event, has come to Niseko and Fubuki Townhouses are proud sponsors of the festival.
Fubuki has bought a cow that is being painted by local children with Cerebral Palsy, and will purchase the cow at the end of the festival with all proceeds going toward Japanese children living with cancer.
The Fubuki cow is now happily standing outside Fubuki 3.
Niseko has some of the finest powder skiing Japan has to offer. From beginners to advanced, there is something for everyone.
Watch the video to see for yourself!
Niseko is famed amongst skiers for it’s powder snow and amongst locals for it’s amazing produce. Recently, Niseko was visited by celebrated Chef and Author Anthony Bourdain as part of his television series No Reservations.
