Niseko Customer Reviews

Great for beginners and powder hounds - nice laid-back atmosphere and easy to get around - better in January and February but can get busy then. Stunning views on Mount Yotsei. Cheaper on the slopes than Europe too!

Fantastic skiing through the trees in deep powder. Unique experience.

3 snowboarders aged 38 - 55. 1 skier aged 50. All advanced level. 2 stayed for 8 nights in Niseko followed by 2 nights in Tokyo. 2 stayed for 11 nights in Niseko. Mountain resort was fantastic, snow conditions were brilliant and the weather was great with only one windy day which reduced the lift system operations. Some lifts are outdated but there are plenty that have been recently replaced with 4 and 6 seated versions. There are no drag lifts which is great for snowboarders. The weekends like most places tend to get a bit busy so when it snows then expect to have some lift queues but they seem to go down reasonably quick. Now the powder tree runs is what Niseko is famous for and it was still up to it's expectations. The powder was knee deep and sometimes was waist deep. It remained light and fluffy even the following day it never seem to freeze over and go crusty. We didn't do any serious hiking though there was the possibility it wasn't needed as we were all having as much fun going through the trees. The prepared piste runs where in good condition and though they are not long they are wide in some areas for practicing techniques. The lift staff were patient and work hard maintaining the chairs and handling the snowboarders and skis when boarding the gondolas. The marked piste runs could do with colour-coded lollipop labels or numbers to identify which piste you are on though this is not present in every resort.

Niseko is a great place to start your Japan ski or snowboard adventure. With one ticket, you can ski or ride four areas located around one volcanic peak. With a vehicle, you can travel beyond the Niseko areas and visit other nearby areas to chase the very best conditions of the day. Of course, the main reason to go to Japan is the opportunity to experience the nearly daily snowfall of light, fluffy snow on slopes that are just the right pitch for skiing and riding the lightest snow on earth!