Niseko

Closed
Jack Taylor
SnowPak Local Insider
Jack Taylor
Pros
  • Great village vibe with a vibrant nightlife
  • Easy to get to with plenty of transport options at the base areas
  • Caters for overseas skier as English is widely spoken
Cons
  • One of the most expensive places to ski in the country

Overall

4.3

Japow! Welcome to one of the snowiest ski resorts on the planet and the most popular powder haven in the Land of the Rising Sun. If you absolutely, positively, have to get up to your eyeballs in the white stuff, there are few others places that give you better odds than Niseko. Japan’s premier winter wonderland has quite rightly earned a reputation as an essential destination for any self-respecting powder hound, with an average annual snowfall of over 80 days and record snow depths of more than 13 ft!

16/17 Historical Snowfall

Best month to go

Late December to mid-February

The first lifts turn on as early as the end of November and the last one doesn’t shut off until the beginning of May, but Niseko’s peak season sits firmly between late December to mid-February. If you’re here then, expect three or four powder days a week! There is a slight downside to all that snow, namely being that visibility can be particularly poor, but we’re happy with the compromise. If you’d prefer a few bluebird days then visiting Niseko at the start of March is a good call and a good time to pickup a great deal. If there is any time to avoid going to Niseko, it’s around Christmas and Chinese New Year, prices are hiked up and the slopes get packed.

FLY TO

New Chitose Airport

DRIVE / SHUTTLE TO

Niseko (2-3 hours)

Hirafu (Walk)

  • Majority of hotels, dining and nightlife
  • Wide range of lodging options
  • Great for groups

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Niseko Village (Walk)

  • Easy to get around compact ski village
  • Has the best ski facilities for kids in Niseko
  • Great for families

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Annapuri (Walk)

  • Quiet and peaceful ski village
  • Limited dining and nightlife
  • Less accommodation options

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Hanazono (Walk)

  • Limited accommodation options
  • Quiet place to stay
  • Limited dining and nightlife

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For beginners

Niseko has many options available for beginners. For the most beginner-friendly slopes test out Paradise and Family at Annupuri where the terrain is wide, gentle and the longest for beginners in Niseko.

More beginners tips

For intermediates

Intermediates will be spoilt for choice at Niseko. Namara in Niseko Village is wide, straight and long run, great for perfecting turns and switching edges on your board. Another top pick of ours would have to be Youtei Sunset in Hanazono, a 3,900 ft slope that is nice and high and away from the crowds found on the main runs on Hirafu.

More intermediates tips

For experts

The off-piste experience is what Niseko is known for, with almost all runs accompanied by amazing sidecountry. The Strawberry Fields in Hanazono is our pick of the lot with perfectly spaced trees and the perfect gradient!The backcountry off Gate 9 is also unreal. Think face shots, deep untouched powder, tree runs, and stunning scenery. Just watch out for the waterfall!

More experts tips

Find freshies

You'll find plenty of great pow anywhere outside of the boundaries but some of the best can be found off Gate 8 and beyond!

Ditch the crowds

The Hirafu ski area is the most busiest, so head up high and get yourself on Youtei Sunset, a long slope that hardly ever sees the masses. Otherwise, opt for the quieter slopes of Annupuri. 

Non skiers

Niseko has tons of activities and attractions to keep non-skiers happy. They can go snow rafting and tubing, soak in the many onsens (hot springs) or visit the Snow Festival during February.

Families

Niseko is a magical wonderland with things to do for the whole family including tubing, restaraunts and the Sapporo Snow Festival which is held every February. The resort also has plently of childcare and baby sitting services if you want some time for yourself.

Save up to 33% when you book a Niseko package!

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Niseko Reviews

Fabulous 4.4 / 5
based on 77 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Superb!4.8 / 5Oct 15, 2021
Niseko ReviewsChristina P.
advanced skier
Amazing mountain nestled in a small town. There are 4 resorts under one umbrella company and all can be accessed from the very top of the mountain. So many lodges spread out and the snow is amazing. I went mid-Feb 2019 and the snow was incredible. Good tree skiing in the resort and they are good about info regarding backcountry and gates. Best ski... More
Very Good!3.9 / 5Sep 07, 2020
Niseko ReviewsMark F.
advanced snowboarder
Powder heaven. On resort powder runs were great but kinda flat groomed runs to get back to the lifts. Also plenty of out of bounds powder options. Not a lot of good options or intermediates who dont want the powder.... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Aug 19, 2020
Niseko ReviewsGabriel A.
advanced snowboarder
Special. Good. test testSpecial. Good. test testSpecial. Good. test testSpecial. Good. test testSpecial. Good. test testSpecial. Good. test testSpecial. Good. test testSpecial. Good. test testSpecial. Good. test testSpecial. Good. test testSpecial. Good. test testSpecial. Good. test test... More
Superb!4.6 / 5Feb 20, 2020
BBrent
expert snowboarder
Awesome group of hills! The four resorts connected on the same mountain with same pass made for an incredible experience. I was there at a supposedly busy time but never waited in a line, and the snow was incredible. Even after 2 days of a snow fall there was still untracked powder to be found. And some of the best glades and easily accessible out... More
Superb!5 / 5Dec 27, 2019
Niseko ReviewsJenny V.
beginner snowboarder
I loved it! The restaurants and shops there were expensive as expected but they were of the highest quality. The workers and businesses there were very catering to the english speaking foreigners and there are many foreign owned businesses too. I enjoyed the ski runs as they were very much groomed and perfect for beginners to advance skiiers. The... More
Average!3.2 / 5Nov 19, 2019
Niseko ReviewsTony L.
advanced snowboarder
Fun mountain with great views throughout. The variety of terrain is a big draw to go to the besides hills in Niseko. Good resort with lots to do. The only complaint I have is the logistics of getting there from major airports.... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Aug 08, 2019
Niseko ReviewsLee D.
expert skier
Niseko is a wonderful ski resort actually 4 ski resorts connected by lifts they all share the same Peak but offer different types of terrain and they all have lodging at the base of each one of them... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Jun 08, 2018
Niseko ReviewsShin Y.
intermediate skier
Absolutely sick. I have never seen that kind of powder anywhere in the world that it's was almost scary since I'm not the best skier... but mostly fun. There's only a couple weeks or so of "bad" snow during the season but that being said, the bad snow is still better snow than most resorts in the world.... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5May 28, 2018
Niseko ReviewsNoriko T.
advanced snowboarder
The snow quality was great and this resort was very friendly for people from other countries. There were a lot of sign in english and staff. And the resort was very wide and have variety of caurses. So, all level's skier and snowboarder can enjoy, I think.... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5May 25, 2018
Niseko ReviewsNicole R.
intermediate skier
Niseko was amazing! The snow is normally quite good compared to back in Aus however when you get fresh powder that is worth everything :) It could cater for all ranges of skiiers with basic beginner runs to off piste through trees for advanced skiiers. We booked a bus directly from the airport which dropped us at our front door, a great start. I... More