On Snow Tours
This is the best, safest and quickest way to truly learn and discover Niseko’s legendary hidden and un-tracked powder. SkiJapan.com mountain guides are experts in their field, possessing many years of detailed knowledge and experience of Niseko and surrounding resorts. Ski where the locals don’t want you to know about! Also available are shorter Niseko resort tours to help guide you around the inbound resort area.
Ski perfect untracked powder in Niseko’s backcountry. The ultimate powder experience! Have all the powder to yourself, riding this private backcountry mountain with nobody except you and your friends – steep, deep and untracked powder all day long. An absolute must do for the advanced rider.
Take in the beautiful local scenery on a snowmobile. With courses designed for all ages and skill levels from beginner to the advanced snowmobile rider you will be sure to have a blast and you ride through trails, open fields and into untouched terrain.
Capture your powder turns and holiday memories on or off the mountain with a professional guide and photographer. Explore the mountain and discover some local secrets, take home a photo of you in Niseko’s perfect snow and the memory of a lifetime! Perfect for groups and families, tours tailored to suit your specific requests. Steep and deep or fun portraits – we’ll go where you want to go.
Try something different and clip into to some X-country skis for a scenic journey through Niseko’s nature trails. Fully guided and accompanied by a Japanese International X-country Skier-you will also pick up a lot of tips and techniques! Really is a great way to explore more of Niseko and an opportunity to take some fantastic photographs.
For a relaxing, scenic stroll through the picturesque valleys of Niseko. A snowshoe trip is an easy and enjoyable way to spend time outdoors in the snow, and a greet chance to take some iconic photos of Mount Youtei and surrounds.
Only 45 Minutes form Niseko, you will find yourself in a powder paradise! A quiet resort with less crowds and fresh usually enjoyed all day long. Rusutsu also boast immaculately groomed runs and incredible tree skiing. SkiJapan.com can organize guided day tours or unguided private taxi transport.
Only a 45 min drive from Niseko, sits the picturesque powder haven know as Kiroro. This modern resort offers endless trails of powder, groomers and bumps. A fantastic resort for a day trip whether you’re beginner or advanced snow rider. SkiJapan.com can organize guided day tours or unguided private taxi transport.
Cultural Tours
Rest, relax and rejuvenate in a traditional Japanese onsen and enjoy the feeling of cleansing and soaking your body after a great powder day. Boasting natural volcanic water bursting with minerals, an onsen is an authentic and natural way of healing your mind, body and soul. There are a number of onsens within minutes walk of Alpen Ridge, or SkiJapan.com can also organize private onsen and dinner packages just outside of Hirafu.
For something more relaxing and arty, consider taking a morning or afternoon break and try your hand at sandblast glass art. A great way to spend time with local artists, select and decorate your very own glass art souvenir to take home as a memento of your time in Niseko.
For a trip back into the real Hokkaido, an Otaru cultural experience is a must. A prominent fishing town rich in Japanese culture. Otaru has now become an iconic seaside and canal town of Japan. During the day you will go to the Nikka Whiskey Factory, take time to see a historic mansion and have a few hours of free time in Otaru Sakaimachi. This is a transport service not a guided tour – but if you want to arrange the places to visit yourself the taxi driver will take you to the destination.
One of Japan’s largest winter events, with over two million people coming to see the hundreds of beautiful snow statues and ice sculptures throughout the city. For seven days in February 2013 (5th-11th), Sapporo transforms into a winter dreamland of crystal-like ice, white snow, people, food and fun!
There are three main areas which the festival covers; Odori Park, home of the largest sculptures, ice skating rink, concerts and a delicious international food fair. Then down the road in Susukino is the immaculate display of technically perfect and visually magnificent ice carvings, some of which feature real crab, squid and salmon encased inside. Then over at the Tsudome area is where you will find a kiddies adventure land of snow, ice sculptures, snow maze, tube slides, snow rafting, food and entertainment throughout the day.
The festival can easily be enjoyed by doing a day trip from Niseko. This will also allow you to see the sculptures in the daylight and the spectacular light shows in the evening, before heading back for a good nights sleep and fresh track the next day!
P.S. It gets extremely cold out there, so be sure to rug up and wear your ski clothing, gloves, beanies and good shoes/spikes. Also take a few hand, feet and body warmer packs with you!