Niseko Customer Reviews

Niseko is the place to go in Japan and in times of uncertain snowfall this is about as snow-sure as anywhere in the world. The piste map actually wraps round Mount Annupuri (thank you one very clever origami illustration in the King Bell Hut) always offering shelter from the prevailing wind. It also doesn't show many of the more enjoyable areas esp. around Hanazono which for us offered the best snow conditions. (Not sure where their official snowfall is measured but even after three days of "0", we had fresh boot deep snow in the Hanazono area?) Strawberry Fields which is the wooded area under Hanazono Quad 1, entered through the grey 'G' gate, Blueberry fields which is the wooded area under "Legend of Shinya" and Banana Fields! (ask!) The gates offer some very accessible "side country" skiing both between the areas (e.g. G7 and G11) and outside them (G5, G4, G8 etc.) The top few gates offer a serious backbowl, after a hike and if you have the right equipment. Wind can be an issue and a couple of days the top lifts which provide the connections were closed. Moiwa is another semi-connected area which can be reached by free shuttle and is quiet, has super cheap tickets and some interesting off piste if the snow is good. There is also a bus to Rusutsu from Hirafu if you fancy a bit of variety. Hirafu was a great place to stay, (half Japanese, half Aussie at times) with loads of choice of restaurants/ bars and even a "European" bakery (the only decaf coffee we found!). Would highly recommend Kougetsu (http://www.kougetsuniseko.com) a good value Izakaya which is easy to walk past, Mick's Bar (http://www.micksniseko.com) for wine and artisan Hokkaido cheese and salami and Toshiro's Bar (Above and right of Mick's) for a fantastic cocktail experience.

Excellent, we would not have changed anything here. The resort was great and very quiet. We were lucky enough to get a small amount of snow every day. Even though we did not get a big dump of powder the snow was enough to enjoy the slopes. We enjoyed the variety of snowboarding at this resort. We made good use of the well kept piste as well as snowboarding between the trees and off piste in the 'yellow zone' when permitted. There were a good number of lifts with friendly lift attendants. We were able to collect and return our lift passes at the hotel which was very convenient.

Andrea organised our trip to include 2 days in Tokyo and Koyoto including a stay in a Ryokan which added to our great experience. The ski trip to Niseko was also great.

Resort was very good. Snow conditions were excellent, some lifts a bit antiquated but no queues which was good. Food and drinks quite pricey on the mountain.

Hirafu is a nice base with easy access to the lifts and lots of restaurants. The on-mountain connections between the four resorts on the lift pass are not perfect and it takes a little working out how to move easily between mountains. Wind seems to frequently close the upper lifts - I managed to get stuck at Niseko one afternoon and the scheduled bus service struggled with getting people back to Hirafu. Some characterful mountain restaurants; burgers at Annapuri are particularly good!