Skiing & Boarding

From November until April, the northwest monsoon brings moisture across the Sea of Japan from Siberia.  Consequently, Niseko enjoys some of the heaviest snowfalls in the world – an average of over 15 meters!  In fact, Niseko was recently voted #2 in Forbes Traveler’s “20 snowiest ski resorts in the world."  Niseko enjoys dry, powdery snowfalls, offering skiers and boarders groomed and off-piste conditions for all experience levels.  Night skiing is also available.

Niseko’s world-class snowfall and long season attracts ski enthusiasts from all over the world, especially from Asia and Australia / New Zealand due to the relative proximity and similar time zone.  Niseko is also regarded as a low cost ski destination with affordable accommodation, entertainment and ski passes.

Niseko United comprises four inter-connected snowfields, as summarized in the following table:

 

 

Grand Hirafu (including Hanazono)

Annupuri

Higashiyama

Lift infrastructure

1 gondola & 19 chairlifts

1 gondola & 7 chairlifts

2 gondolas & 8 chairlifts

Top lift

1,200 meters

1,156 meters

1,170 meters

Vertical drop

960 meters

756 meters

890 meters

Number of runs

35

13

12

Longest run

5,600 meters

 

 

Skiable area

803 acres

 

 

Difficulty

Beginner to advanced

Beginner to advanced

Beginner to advanced

 

Niseko United’s snowfields can all be accessed using a common pass which costs about US$45 per day.