INFO on NISEKO VILLAGE and SKI FIELDS

 
THE SKIING & BOARDING  
For those who want long groomers on packed powder, or an awesome terrain park, or mogul runs, or powder on piste, or POW off piste, or POW in trees or some very interesting out of bounds POW it's all here. Niseko changes your attitude to powder. You don't need to be up at dawn to get freshies, you can get great POW anytime. Despite the growing popularity with Aussies, Europeans & Americans, it's OK, you can hurry slowly & still get your own tracks. 

After skiing 45 resorts worldwide, (including 30+ in the Rockies ) we chose KoalaCottageNiseko.com because “you don't have to be lucky to get good snow in Niseko!” Of course you don't get good POW if it doesn't snow heaps. There may be a few blow down days when you have to ski the lower pistes or lower trees, oh well! Otherwise it's often snowing lightly, so when you see Yotei san take a photo.

To get the most out of your trip, we strongly recommend that you hire Shinsetsu Mountain Guides, Certified Guides, (smguides@gmail.com). Adam and staff will show you the best and safest out of gates skiing (with video). The day trips to other resorts and Otaru are a must also.

LIFTS
Hirafu – 4p Gondola, 1 hooded quad, 7 open chairlifts
Hanazono – 3 hooded quads, 1 double chair
Higashiama – 2 gondolas, 6 chairs
Annupuri – 1 gondola, 6 chairs

AVERAGE TEMP
On hill Jan. &  Feb. –6c  

CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS 
For current conditions check out  www.niseko.ne.jp/en/index.html or www.snowjapan.com/e/daily/index.html

LIFT TICKETS
There are different lift tickets available according to what you need. Approx $45/day, yes $45!! Check also the 30 and 50 hour tickets.
We recommend the NISEKO UNITED ticket, comprising Niseko Hirafu, Hanazono, Higashiama  & An`nupuri resorts. http://www.grand-hirafu.jp/en/mountain/http://www.grand-hirafu.jp/en/mountain/lift.html
Also available is the Niseko Hirafu ticket  (comprising Niseko Hirafu & Hanazono) it’s cheaper but has fewer options.

NIGHT SKIING  

Night Skiing is a truly rewarding experience in Niseko. Extensively illuminated slopes, until 9.00pm. Imagine skiing powder at night, no one out, both on & off piste. Just the place to learn to love the POW.

FREE SKIER SHUTTLE SERVICE 

Niseko offers a free shuttle bus service to skiers and operates from 8.30am to 9.00pm.

GETTING AROUND NISEKO

The Hirafu Village Bus operates between 8.30 am – 9.00 pm
Kutchan “Night –Go” bus. Free after 6.15 pm. Awesome selection of restaurants, ski shops shops etc.
Day & Night buses link the bases of Hirafu, Hanazono, Higashiama, Annupuri. 

OUT AND ABOUT

Niseko has a friendly village atmosphere. It is full of character with Onsens (hot springs), a variety of restaurants, bars & shops all in easy walking distance.

In Kutchan visit restaurants, the Sake factory, the huge gymnasium & basketball centre, the ski jumping hill, Takaguchi Sport & Boom Sport (ski shops), even the 3 local supermarkets are a gourmet's adventure. 
For something different check out a Pachinko “palace,” (gaming machines, pokies etc).          http://wikitravel.org/en/Kutchan

ONSEN            

Onsen are natural hot springs . Niseko has 16 onsen open throughout the year. Onsen offer that relaxing, soothing soak, whether in winter or summer. At most onsen men & women are separated. It's OK to take your favourite beverage in with you as well. The etiquette of using onsen is to bathe very thoroughly at one of the “bathing stations” first. Then dip in an indoor hot pool, before going outside to the (private) outdoor onsen, where the Japanese quietly relax & converse.  Cost around 700 - 1000 Yen.

RESTAURANTS  

Over 20 restaurants in Niseko provide a great culinary experience, from café style to formal dining. Cost Y2,000 –Y8,000 per couple. A sumptuous lunch at any number of places on mountain will cost only Y400-Y2000.

Out of N. Hirafu there are many different dining experiences, all easily accessible. From The Mongolian Yurt to the All you can Cook & Eat Yourself in I hr set price BBQ at An'nupuri, also check out Miyako Street in Kutchan, near Takaguchi Sport. This snowy street is lined with all different little family run restaurants. Our favourite is Wai-Wai, the owner Wataru-san specializes in Okanomi-yaki, Japanese pancakes that you cook yourself at your table, with your choice of fillings savoury or sweet. Chinese & Korean restaurants are common as well.      

BARS
There are many quirky bars. Among them are Gyu where you enter/duck in through an old Coke fridge door. Wear your parka to & in the Ice Bar, there is also Pow Pow, where many Aussies hang out. Our absolute FAVOURITE is HALF NOTE Bar. The owners Tohsan & his wife Ka san own Pension Full Note (above the bar). Tohsan, also a Jazz Band Drummer, is the 60 years young guy with the pony tail & headscarf, who'll hike the peak, blow you out with some cool jazz & then whoop you at table tennis. We have had some very special dinners in the Full Note restaurant & his brother Toshi san's restaurant next door in Woody Note.

TIP: The Japanese are very disciplined &/or discreet when it comes to the demon drink, even a few gaijin (foreigners) are quite noticeable, if acting “anti socially”. Make no mistake, despite quite a few Aussies around, you are in a foreign country. The Japanese Authorities are exceptionally tolerant, BUT, if you cross the line you'll be out on your ear.

SPEAKING JAPANESE

A non-Japanese speaker can get by, especially if one is polite. A couple of Japanese phases learnt opens many doors, eg; sumimasen = excuse me / sorry; eigo ga dekimasu ka ?= (lit)English, do you speak?; Konnichiwa = hello;   Kudesai = please; arigato = thank you; domo = good

PRICES

Prices are quite comparable to OZ. The local people`s willingness to please is disarming & the value is excellent. Of course steak is expensive but pork, chicken & fish are similar to OZ. The quality of the produce is first class. (Tip: don't bother bringing alcoholic drinks, even duty free. It's cheaper in the supermarkets & even in the Seico Mart in N. Hirafu).

SUMMER IN NISEKO

In Summer, Niseko boasts a great many activities including

	Tennis courts
	Golf Courses – Niseko has 6 scenic great golf courses nearby
	Rafting
	Hiking (try Yotei!)
	Mountain Biking with various degrees of difficulties
	Horse Trekking
	Ballooning
	Indoor Swimming Pool
	Onsens - Niseko area is famous for the number and variety of these natural wonders

Within a days return drive, (or by train), is Otaru & Sapporo, overnight is Asahikawa & Daisetsuzan National Park.

NON-SKIING ACTIVITIES

If you want a day off the slopes, there is plenty to do in Niseko and surrounds.
onsen, pools, shops, restaurants, bars, BIERU (beer!), Gymnasium & basketball courts nearby.
Train to Otaru (port) seafood markets, Sapporo Ice Festival (Feb) , Sapporo White Illumination Festival (Jan)

If you want a day off the slopes, there is plenty to do in Niseko Hirafu and surrounds. Snowshoeing, snow mobiling, even, on snow horse riding & an indoor heated pool, onsens, shops, restaurants, bars BIERU (beer!), Kutchan gymnasium & basketball courts are nearby. 

The beautiful Village of Niseko Town past Moiwa is also worth a look. 
Take the (semi rapid) train to Otaru (sea-port), on the Sea of Japan just across from Russia . Check out the seafood markets, glass crafts & glass blowing & more delectable food. 

In Sapporo a must see is either the Sapporo Ice Festival (Feb) or the Sapporo White Illumination Festival (Jan). The 1972 Winter Olympics were held here, so don't forget to check out the Ski Jumping Hill.