Loading

You are:

Lifts & Terrain

Niseko Ski and Snowboard Terrain The predominant feature of the very large Niseko ski resort is snow, snow, and more snow!

The in-bounds terrain can be broadly summarised as “deep not steep”, with a variety of runs for beginners up to advanced riders, whilst experts will find some steep-ish pitches in the backcountry areas.

The Niseko ski resort (aka Niseko United) has four major zones which are interconnected (for intermediates and above) via lifts at the top. The An’nupuri area has great groomed runs for beginners and intermediates and access to backcountry skiing. The Niseko Village ski area (formerly Higashiyama) is largely a beginner and intermediate area, with a couple of black piste runs. Hirafu has something on offer for everyone, whilst Hanazono is good for tree skiing, backcountry access, and terrain park fun. Hirafu and Hanazono are collectively referred to as “Niseko Grand Hirafu”.

Lifts Niseko has many lifts including gondolas in Hirafu, An’nupuri and Niseko Village. These gondolas are an absolute godsend on bad-weather days, and the King #3 and Hanazono hooded chairs are also bliss. Thankfully there are no surface tows, although there are a few slow single chair lifts that work well in the sometimes windy conditions. These are affectionately known as suicide chairs considering there are no safety bars. If the weather is particularly foul, even these lifts need to close. Once these top lifts are closed, access between Hirafu and An’nupuri is only possible via shuttle bus (or taxi).

Many of the lifts are open for night skiing. Unlike other ski resorts where night skiing is just for beginners, at Niseko the evenings are for powderhounds too. The area that is lit up is extensive so it’s possible to ski the Miharashi trees and other advanced areas, and sometimes the visibility is actually better at night time than during the day. After a little après it can be incredibly surreal bouncing around in the fresh powder under the lights. Be sure to wear a helmet!

Considering the lift ticket prices, it is somewhat disappointing that the only lift infrastructure that has been upgraded in many years is the Hirafu gondola. Whilst there are a handful of efficient lifts, many of the chairs are painfully slow and lift lines can be problematic, particularly in Hirafu.

Lift Tickets You can either buy a Niseko United ticket whereby the four zones of Niseko are accessible off the one lift ticket, or a single village ticket which is cheaper (about ¥1,500 less for a one day ticket). All tickets are an electronic chip for which a ¥1,000 deposit is required.

Lift tickets come in an array of configurations. A one day ticket or a multi-day ticket includes night skiing. There is also an 8 hour ticket which will suit many people. Rather than set time frames, this ticket starts from the time you pass through the first gate.

Moiwa has separate lift tickets. See the Moiwa lifts and terrain page for more information.

Niseko Snow and Weather Whatever the definition of “champagne powder” is, the powder at Niseko is often even better. Even though it’s near the coast, the powder is generally incredibly light and dry (aka ego snow!). It falls in great volumes and is up there as the best powder in the world. No one can really agree on the average annual snowfall as there’s too much of it to keep track, but it’s about 15-18 metres a season.

The Siberian weather patterns that bring the fabulous snow also create the wind and the cold, so Niseko is often very, very chilly. Even with gondolas, hooded chairs and plenty of trees for protection, this is a place where you may need warm clothes, a neck warmer, face protection, and a hat or headband under your helmet. You might not get much of a chance to use sunglasses, and you won’t see the great views of Mount Yotei very often, so take a photo opportunity when you can.

Even though the temps are usually very cold and the powder dry, like anywhere, there are also occasions when the temps rise and the snow turns to snot. Time to hit the groomers or the bars!

For the Beginner Beginners will largely be restricted to one area unless they catch a shuttle bus to another area. All four areas have very good slopes for the novice as well as runs for the next progression. Hanazono has good first-timer areas serviced by magic carpets, although for more confident beginners, Hanazono has the least variety on offer.

Intermediate Ski and Board Terrain Niseko is paradise for the intermediate skier or snowboarder. With long groomers and fantastic fall-line, there’s plenty to choose from. The challenge for intermediates that are not used to powder is that sometimes the powder is knee-deep on the groomed runs. This takes a little practice if you’re used to skiing ice or hard-packed snow, but it’s a great opportunity to learn to ride powder in relatively easy conditions.

Hirafu has the largest number of runs for intermediates, whilst Hanazono has very limited variety.

For the Family / Kids Niseko is very well suited to families considering the variety of terrain and the many areas for beginners. All four ski areas have kids and beginner specific areas at the base. The aptly named Family Run at Hirafu is very popular with families, particularly for those staying at accommodation alongside this run (e.g. The Vale Niseko).

For The Shredder Hanazono is where it’s all happening for freestyle freaks. There are three terrain parks with jibs and jumps for beginners, intermediates and advanced riders, as well as a magic carpet serviced jump for the little tackers. Hanazono also has a bag jump where shredders can practise freestyle jumps without breaking bones. The Niseko physios must be spewing! And just to top off freestyle heaven, Hanazono has a proper half-pipe, the only one left in Hokkaido.

Advanced and Expert Skiing and Snowboarding There are no super steep on-piste runs at Niseko, although there are some reasonably steep runs on the Alpen Super Course and at Niseko Village. The black piste runs are generally ungroomed runs and considering it snows so much, the bumps tend to stay fairly small and soft. Most advanced and expert riders stay off the piste and play in the powder.

Niseko Skiing Off-Piste A huge plus for Niseko is that skiing and boarding off-piste and in the trees is permitted. You’re not allowed to duck ropes or ride under lift lines, but otherwise you can explore inside the resort boundaries to your heart’s content. In most off-piste areas the trees aren’t too tight, so it’s a place where you can easily improve your confidence in powder.

There are many non-secret powder stashes including the Miharashi trees at the top of the Hirafu gondola, the King #3 trees, the tight trees in Blueberry Fields (left of Hanazono no.1 lift) and the more widely spaced trees in Strawberry Fields (right of Hanazono no. 1 lift).

Unfortunately, with the increasing popularity of Niseko, the likelihood of finding freshies in the off-piste areas past about 10am has lessened significantly over the years.

Niseko Backcountry / Slackcountry / Out of Bounds Niseko backcountry skiing is also permitted so long as you enter through one of the gates. Have respect for the patrollers who are pretty lenient. When the gates are closed, it’s for a good reason. For information on the status of the gates and avalanche information, see the Niseko Avalanche Information website.

There are some amazing out-of-bounds areas which are easily accessed via a traverse with minimal or no hiking, and with an easy exit back to lifts (albeit on long trails). The An’nupuri bowls (entered from gates 1 or 2) are an example of this and provide great alpine and tree skiing.

A long traverse from the peak gate provides an infinite number of lines and a reasonable chance of finding your own powder stash away from the hordes. The peak walk is a 20 minute hike that provides an awesome long run down to the golf course. This area also provides access to the back bowls, the piece de resistance of Niseko.

Mizuno no sawa is an avalanche controlled area near Niseko Village. Only those participating in a special program are permitted in this area. The program costs about ¥2,000 and includes a 20 minute lecture to start the day before going out with the ski patrol to rip it up!

As with all ski resorts in Japan, if you go outside the resort boundaries you do so at your own risk and are responsible for the costs associated with any backcountry search and rescue. Absolutely only go into the backcountry areas with a transponder, shovel and probe. If you don’t have the right equipment or the know-how to safely navigate the backcountry, consider doing a Back Bowls tour with Black Diamond Tours. They will lend you the right gear and take you to some very tasty spots! 

Avalanche Risk Considering the abundant snowfall, the occurrence of avalanches is not as common as you’d think, particularly in the height of winter. With constant sub-zero temperatures and minimal sun, the formation of unstable layers is lessened. The maritime-like snowpack and the snow crystals that typically fall during winter also make the snowpack reasonably stable. However avalanches (and associated fatalities) still can and do happen and appropriate caution should be exercised. There are commonly big cracks in the snow that need to be avoided, not only because of the associated avalanche risk, but also because it may take you half an hour to climb out if you fall in!

The patrollers do not actively control for avalanches with blasting or other techniques. They only monitor the risk and close areas as necessary.

Access to Moiwa via the Slopes Powderhounds should definitely head over to Moiwa. This is a little gem of a ski resort! An’nupuri’s neighbour Moiwa can be accessed via the 2nd An’nupuri bowl. Head over for one run (for ¥350) or you purchase a 4 hour ticket. To get back to Niseko a short hike from the top of the quad chair out gate 6 is required, but be aware that the gate is only open until 3pm and when avalanche risk is not high.