How to Maximise Your Family Ski Vacation in Niseko Village, According to a Seasoned Traveller
Powder perfection
In this travel guide, we tell you everything you need to see, eat, and do while in Niseko Village, Hokkaido—the prime destination for powder snow in Japan.
It’s said that Niseko has an unparalleled quality of snow due to the freezing winds of Siberia colliding with the relatively warmer air above the Sea of Japan. As Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido gets the earliest and best dump. We’re talking fluffy, dry powder, the very finest of world renowned “Japow”. The most seasoned powderhounds will tell you it’s worlds apart from the wet, slushy stuff you’d find anywhere else.
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The name Niseko actually refers to Mount Niseko Annupuri, 1308m at her peak. Each side of the mountain is known as a ski resort, in this case, Annupuri, Niseko Village, Hirafu and Hanazono. Each resort is home to a set of ski runs, lifts, and gondolas, unfurling down the mountainside to different accommodations, restaurants and attractions at the base.
Because of her popularity, Niseko can get super crowded during peak periods such as Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year. It goes without being said to avoid those periods! The snowfall begins in early December through to early April, so there’s plenty of opportunity to visit sans mobs of humans. Direct red-eye flights make long weekends a complete possibility. Well, now that we’ve whetted your appetite for the snow, here’s our guide to doing Niseko right.
Stay at Niseko Village
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This side of the mountain has really come up in recent years, with multiple accommodation choices such as Kasara, The Green Leaf, Hinode Hills and Higashiyama–one of only eight Ritz-Carlton Reserves across the globe. The slopes are easy and uncrowded; each accommodation is ski-in, ski-out with its own onsen. Then, there is Niseko-Yo, an eclectic dining and shopping area in the heart of Niseko Village, inclusive of a superb ski school and daycare.
While exciting, Hirafu is often too busy and overrun with hotels and restaurants, which translates to no space on the slopes or in restaurants). Hanazono and Annupuri on the other hand are simply too quiet, with only a sparse smattering of watering holes. Balance is key, and as baby bear puts it, Niseko Village is “just right”.
Hit the slopes to ski or snowboard
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If you’re going to go to a ski town then you must hit the slopes, because you haven’t really experienced it properly till you do. Invest in lessons for at least the first two days. Suffer through the indignity of struggling to get your gear on and and off and at the end of it all, you will have hopefully learned the basics, got some good shots for the ’gram, and earned the apres ski treats plus some onsen time.
P.S. Parents, please send your kids to day care or ski school. We promise, they (and you) will love it!
Get feasting
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Due to its international crowd, Niseko offers plenty of different cuisines outside of traditional Japanese fare. Whether you are pre-booking omakase restaurants, swishing shabu-shabu, browsing the aisles of your nearest Lawson or doing food truck roulette, you will be eating well. Hokkaido is also renowned for its dairy, seafood, and marbled meats. With such wonderful produce, the chef in you may even be moved to cook.
Our recommendations:
- Run by husband and wife team Tatsuru and Midori and with only 12 counter seats, Rakuichi Soba in Annupuri does omakase lunches and dinner.
- Serving Roman-style slices with Hokkaido produce, Baby Crosta at Niseko-Yo is another must try. Led by chef Yuichi Ito of the award-winning Crosta Pizzeria, they also do omakase in the evenings.
Soothe those sore muscles at an onsen
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The daily schedule is simple: breakfast, ski/snowboard, lunch, ski/snowboard, onsen, après-ski, dinner, and repeat! Once you’ve exerted and applied yourself on the mountain, you can pat yourself on the back and soothe yourself in the mineral-rich and beneficial waters of the onsen, or hot springs. Don’t be alarmed by the thought of baring it all. Just immerse yourself in the ritual and remember these rules: shower before entering the pool, no noise, no phones, and no towels in the water! Also, don’t forget to check on your chosen onsen’s tattoo policy if you are inked up!
Our recommendation:
- The Green Leaf Niseko Village’s onsen has a spectacular outdoor onsen framed by snow-laden trees.
Treat yourself to some après-ski
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The post-ski, post-onsen drink is a highlight of the day, but unlike après-ski in Europe where people sit outside or have parties at the base of the slopes, bars in Niseko tend to be warm, cosy indoor spaces because of heavy snowfall.
Our recommendations:
- Bar Gyu+ is a Niseko institution. The famous fridge door, hand-printed menu, delicious drinks, super cosy setting and jazz selection must be experienced, so go 10 mins before opening to skip the queue.
- With its preppy, lived-in clubhouse feel, Mandala Club Niseko serves some electric vibes. Chef, bar, and DJ collaborations are on-going throughout the snow season, and are most definitely worth the visit.
How to get around
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If you need to leave Niseko Village to explore other parts of the mountain, most hotels offer a complimentary shuttle service, or if you have a ski pass, the Niseko United bus is also free. If renting a car, remember that an International Driver’s License is required for most.
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