Niseko in Hokkaido Japan – Skiing Japanese Powder
By: Chris Abbott
Mountain Statistics
Number of chair lifts: 35
Number of Gondolas: 3
Number of Magic Carpets: 5
Hanazono Bell Tower: 308m
Peak Altitude: 1308m
Vertical Drop: 1000m
Highest Lifted Point: 1200m
Lifts open: 8:30am
Lifts close: 9:00pm
Mountain restaurants: 17
The Niseko area is known for some of the best off-piste powder skiing and boarding in the world. No other destination receives such consistently perfect powder. Niseko is a geographical magnet for weather systems delivering snow storms from the Siberian Peninsula and after filling with moisture on their way across the Sea of Japan these massive fronts collide and Hanazono in Niseko is the first place in their path dumping up to 16 metres of snow in a season. It is not unusual for guests to find themselves enveloped in snow, or as we say, “experiencing the White Room”, as they bounce their way down the slopes.
HANAZONO, SO MUCH MORE
Ideal for skiing and riding at any level, the area offers outstanding beginner slopes; wide open runs for cruising and access to some of the most awe inspiring powder you will experience anywhere in the world.
Great service, covered lifts with almost no queues and world class facilities are just some of the benefits waiting to indulge you at Hanazono.
Catch the Hanazono Bus for first morning tracks; the lift opens at 8.30 am so you can enjoy the virgin powder on Strawberry or Blueberry fields before anyone else arrives.
Hanazono is situated 1,000 metres below the peak of Mount Niseko-Annupuri or at 308 metres above sea level. That means you can access 1,000 vertical metres of non-stop pure, perfect powder back down to Hanazono.
On a clear day, this climb is rewarded with the ultimate ski or ride experience, where views from the Peak are truly awe-inspiring, spanning from the slopes of nearby Mt Yotei (the North Island’s answer to Mt Fuji) all the way to the ocean’s edge.
