orientation

NISEKO is becoming synonymous with the Japan ski scene and epic powder. But before you arrive it might help if we give you a little orientation.

Niseko is in the southwest of Hokkaido - Japan’s rural, northernmost island and its largest prefecture. It’s about two or three hours by bus, car or train, southwest of Sapporo, the capital.

Niseko? Hirafu? Kutchan? Annupuri? So you know you’re going to Niseko… but you’re wondering why your hotel is in Hirafu, where the postal address is Kutchan?

Niseko is the name given to the four independently owned ski resorts on the southeast face of Mt Annupuri, collectively marketed as the Niseko United. The most well known and visited of these resorts is Grand Hirafu, commonly known as Hirafu. The mountain itself is unreal, but quickly suffers from the traffic it experiences during the day.

If you’re looking up at the mountain from Hirafu, the off-piste powder haven of Hanazono is over a few hills and gullies to your right. To the left, across a massive avalanche-prone bowl, is the upmarket and slower-paced Higashiyama. And to it’s left, bookending the Niseko United is Annupuri, famous for it’s back bowls and tendency to hide secret stashes of some of the best powder Niseko has to offer.

Niseko itself is a quaint, inconsequential township about 15 minutes drive from Hirafu or five from Higashiyama and Annupuri. ‘Niseko’ means ‘a cliff jutting over a riverbank deep in the mountains’ in the language of the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido. There is little reason for foreign tourists to visit Niseko at this stage, but it is a pretty, well laid out village with a few interesting little shops and a variety of restaurants. Kutchan is the closest ‘big’ town to Hirafu, about 10 minutes drive away. In fact, Hirafu actually lies within its boundaries, hence the reason Hirafu addresses are in Kutchan. It has a population of about 16,000 and is famous for its potatoes.

There are more than 100 ski resorts on Hokkaido. We’re generally not going to give away any secrets and will leave it up to you to explore and discover these for yourself. But some of the more common ones you may hear about are:

Moiwa Niseko United’s unexploited little brother, just past Annupuri. Not too extreme, but not too crowded either. Big dump, much powder. Say no more.
Rusutsu Unfortunately the secret is already out. Rusutsu, about 45 minutes drive from Hirafu, is a vast mountain visited by few foreigners and not so many Japanese. Untracked powder runs all day, everyday… for now. Please don’t tell anyone!
Furano Probably Hokkaido’s most famous resort. Great terrain but the ski patrol are ruthless. Stick to the groomers or say goodbye to your lift pass.
Sapporo Kokusai The main attraction here is proximity – it’s in the heart of Sapporo (Japan’s fifth largest city!) - you can catch a local train there! Its custom is mainly local city folk, so it’s relatively uncrowded. The runs are fairly tame but there is a bit of back country powder action to be had.
Sapporo Teinei The more popular Sapporo option – better setup and great powder. Off-piste conditions rival Niseko although the runs are shorter.

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