Blowhard Lodge Niseko
Blowhard Lodge Niseko is unique because it’s the only remaining ski lodge in Upper Hirafu that hasn’t been bulldozed to make way for a shiny upmarket hotel. Whilst Blowhard has been fully renovated, it’s retained its soul as a ski lodge, as well as some of its Japanese décor and heritage.
The lodge is delightfully boutique, with only 8 guest rooms that utilise shared bathrooms. Blowhard has good communal spaces to congregate and meet other like-minded skiers and snowboarders, and the onsite chef prepares a cooked breakfast in winter, and you have the option to book dinner at the lodge.
Onsite is the renowned blo*blo gyoza and cocktail bar.
Where is Blowhard Niseko?
Blowhard Lodge enjoys an absolute prime location in
Niseko in Hokkaido Japan. Situated in Upper Hirafu towards the top of Hirafu-Zaka Street, it’s almost ski-in ski-out. You can push out to the Family Run and ski straight down to the Family Chair or it’s just a couple of minutes walk up to the Niseko Grand Hirafu Ace Gondola.
Almost just across the road is the Hirafu Welcome Centre which is the main bus terminal for Niseko for shuttles in and out of Niseko and around the town areas.
There are several restaurants and bars close by in Upper Hirafu, as well as lots of restaurants within walking distance down in Lower Hirafu.
Rooms
Blowhard Lodge Niseko has 8 guest rooms and has a capacity of 16 guests. All bedrooms have tatami flooring for the sleeping space with futons, with the majority of them being on raised platforms
Queen room
- 2 futon beds, vanity unit and handbasin
Queen or twin room
- 2 futon beds with flexible bedding configuration
Standard triple room
- 3 futon beds
All rooms have plush memory foam toppers on the futons, reading lights, a mirror, coat hooks, hangers and storage. Rooms offer mountain views, wifi, and are no-smoking.
The lodge has 1 toilet + 1 shower + 1 vanity unit on the second floor. On the ground floor are 2 separate toilets and 2 shower/vanity units, one of which has a small bath tub. Or you can bathe in a public onsen which is just 190m walk down the hill.
Minimum stay of 7 nights applies during the peak of winter, which is generally a Saturday to Saturday stay. During shoulder season in early December and during March, a 3 night stay minimum applies.
Lodge Facilities & Services
Blowhard Lodge has good amenities that you’d expect of a ski lodge.
- Multiple communal areas to congregate including a tatami lounge areas with views to the ski slopes, a media room, and a central sunken “conversation pit” with a wood burning stove
- Large communal dining area
- Commercial kitchen which guests are welcome to use when the chef's not hard at work. There is also a dedicated fridge for guest use.
- Drying room and secure ski/snowboard storage, waxing bench with tuning tools.
- Laundry facilities (washing machine and dryer)
- English and Japanese speaking staff
- 2 dedicated onsite staff being a chef and a lodge manager to assist with some logistics such as booking of transfers or recommendations for ski/snowboard rentals
- High speed wifi
Dining
During winter, the in-house chef prepares daily breakfast with American-style buffet and hot cooked fare.
Dinner at the lodge is available every 2nd night on request for additional cost, which usually consists of a variety of great Japanese fare using locally sourced produce.
Onsite is blo*blo gyoza bar which is a unique cocktail lounge that serves up bar snacks such as gyoza. Some nights it turns into a party zone with live music and/or DJs.