The reason for your greatness is your conception, which would have begun as frigid winds from the plains of Siberia met the moist currents over the Sea of Japan. From the earliest days of your infancy, you and your snowy cohort would soar over a volcanic landscape, longing to settle somewhere near the slopes of Niseko Annupuri. Likewise, if you were a skier, looking to carve turns on supreme international piste buried beneath world-renowned powder snow, then you too would ride the wind for Hokkaido and dream of an assemblage of ski resorts known as Niseko United.
Mother Nature delivers her famous powder snow in incredible amounts each year to this legendary Japanese resort. In fact she blankets Niseko with 700 inches of snow each year-more of the white, fluffy stuff than most North American resorts. And most of that comes during December and January when Colorado resorts are still awaiting the big spring storms to dump. Ok, so you've been first chair on a powder day at Alta, gone off-piste in Steamboat's Champagne powder, and cruised the likes of Mammoth in the wake of a big storm; still, you'll never be a real powder hound until you've skied Niseko's light and dry powder snow.
The mountain of Niseko Annupuri, part of the Niseko Volcanic Group, boasts 3,000 feet of vertical elevation along with a rich variety of terrain for all skiing appetites. Whether you prefer miles of wide-open runs that meander the mountainside for days or you favor the steep and deep and dense tree runs, Niseko United is the place to be when the snow falls. Four major resorts span the southeastern side of the mountain and congregate at the top for easy access. An all-mountain lift pass allows for unlimited roaming throughout Niseko United's over 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, including 60 runs, 30 miles of groomed slopes, 29 lifts and gondolas, and 9 gates to nearly 20 square miles of unmarked backcountry.
Grand Hirafu, the historic heart of the resort, is the largest of the four resorts and the place to be for après ski. Twelve ski lifts provide access to a treasury of powder stashes and steeps that will challenge even expert skiers. Night skiing at Grand Hirafu means you can experience fresh powder after hours, but with a sizeable town area full of shops, restaurants and nightlife, you might find it difficult to remain in your ski boots for long. Hirafu Town at the base of Grand Hirafu is the most popular and most convenient base for lodging and entertainment at Niseko.
Hanazono Resort, part of Grand Hirafu, has terrain for all including cruisers, tree runs and giant off-piste areas. Backcountry skiers will enjoy the untouched acres of deep powder snow that neighbor Hanazono. Entrance gates along the boundary give skiers free access to this virtual powder playground. Hanazono's claim to fame, though, is its three distinct terrain parks, which comprise the largest freestyle park offering on the island of Hokkaido.
Annupuri, on the far west side of the mountain, is one of the smallest of Niseko's resorts but tends to be the most serene and relaxed as a result. One gondola and four short lifts access a collection of not-too-steep groomers and plenty of intermediate powder runs. Annupuri Village offers an intimate assortment of coffee shops, restaurants and natural onsens (Japanese hot springs), while some of the best lodging options on the entire mountain are the village's beautiful mountain chalets.
Nestled between Annupuri and Grand Hirafu is Niseko Village. Beginner and intermediate skiers will enjoy the groomed runs and easy terrain at Niseko Village as well as the mountain's beginner lifts at the bottom. Niseko Village Snow School offers internationally certified multi-lingual instruction, so there's no need to be an expert to ride the powder. But Niseko Village is not all bunny slopes; advanced skiers who venture up the mountain will experience some of the mountain's steepest runs.
Backcountry skiing is a big part of the Niseko culture, so make time to leave the lift lines behind and join the likes of Black Diamond Tours. Here you'll join an experienced guide and set your course through massive, untouched powder fields, down narrow chutes, and over breathtaking cliff drops and bottomless glades that fill the rugged Hokkaido landscape. You can also join the Hokkaido Backcountry Club for unmatched helicopter access on the exclusive Shiribetsu-Dake volcano, or hit up the Niseko Adventure Center for some private cat skiing far from the busy trails of Niseko's resorts. And for a real hair-raising adventure, join Niseko Xtreme Tours and climb to the top of nearby Mount Yotei-known as the Mount Fuji of Hokkaido-to ski the bowl-shaped crater of this massive volcano.
Niseko's vast wilderness surroundings provide a wealth of activities off the slopes too. Snowmobile through forests of knee-deep powder, explore the scenic country side in a pair of snowshoes, ride horseback through snowy trails, or plant yourself in a snow raft for a high-speed thrill. When skiing has taken its toll on your muscles or you just want to relax, Niseko's fifteen local onsens are waiting. Throughout the area, these naturally occurring volcanic hot springs can be found in the higher-end hotels or more casual day spas. However, the best hot springs for winter visitors are the outdoor rotenburos, which mix the serenity of a snowy landscape with the mineral-rich water that pours in from deep underground.
For the longest time, Niseko's pristine powder was a well-kept secret in Japan. In the 1990s, though, the secret got out and spread throughout the world. With its rapidly growing popularity over the last few years, Niseko United has seen a large number of foreign visitors with the greatest number arriving from Australia. Due to such popularity from outside of Japan, Niseko has become one of the most accessible and welcoming collections of resorts for foreign visitors. So join the crowds this ski season at any and all of Niseko's resorts. There will be plenty of downhill available, and Mother Nature will be sure to serve up more than enough snow and adventure to go around.
