Niseko Hokkaido, Japan
Three major bodies of water surround Japan’s main northern island of Hokkaido—the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the Pacific Ocean— and when the freezing winter winds blow in from Siberia, they dump as much as 40 feet of dry powder snow (with a downy 4 percent moisture content). Niseko, a resort area that sits at the same latitude as Portland, Oregon, gets more of this perfect snow than Whistler or Vail could ever dream of, creating some of the world’s greatest ski runs.
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| Niseko Ski Resort |
Due to its relatively close proximity and the mere 1-hour time difference, Australian ski-hounds are no strangers to Niseko’s slopes. On the western side of the island and just a 2-hour drive from Hokkaido’s capital, Sapporo , the reigning prince of powder is marketed as Niseko United, a mountain comprised of four separate ski areas: Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village, Annupuri, and Hanazono. Buy a single electronic lift pass and you can ski across all four, all day, and hardly cover a run twice. Backcountry skiing is possible, as is night skiing, and when you’re done, the resort has plenty of onsen (hot springs) in which to soothe slope-weary limbs.
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| Niseko Hot Spring |
Recent injections of capital from Australia and Asia have seen a boom in new properties in Niseko, particularly in and around the main village of Hirafu, with aspirations of becoming the Aspen of the East. Among several seriously chic lodges, Souiboku stands out. The apartment-size accommodations have a stripped-down décor that is softened by cashmere throws, antiques, and contemporary art, and all have spectacular views of Fuji-like Mt. Yotei. In the same league are the apartments at J-Sekka, a complex that includes Niseko’s most impressive deli café, a gourmet restaurant, and a chic bar with roaring log fire.
If you prefer your resorts on a grander scale, there’s also the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa, less than an hour’s drive south. Overlooking deep Lake Toya, this five-star property with spacious, comfortable rooms hosted the 2008 G8 Summit meeting.
Come summer, there’s just as much to do in the area, from hiking and biking to river rafting and enjoying fireworks over Lake Toya.
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