Although we are eagerly looking forward to the beginning of Spring, you can still think about Winter escapes that will allow you to get in your favorite snow sports! Although there are a number of great options here in the US such as in Aspen, Stowe, or Jackson Hole, sometimes you want to stamp your passport and to take a bit of a journey. When it comes to any vacation, we think about where we are staying, how close it is to activities and what we will eat while we’re there!
Niseko is a world famous Asian ski destination with powdery snow located in Japan. It’s worth noting that this is a year around destination and is just as fabulous to enjoy during the Summer as well. Located in the northern island prefecture of Hokkaido which is 2 hours awar from Sapporo, the largest city in this prefecture, it is known for its agriculture and is noted for having the cleanest rivers in Japan. Coming here is taking a step outside of time as life runs slower here and you can truly embrace nature as it is intended to be. The best way to enjoy it (in addition to whether you snowboard, ski, or do snow shoe trapping is to literally spend your days in the middle of it all with the perfect stay. Without a doubt, the ski chalets in Niseko, Japan is a perfect way to embrace a Winter wonderland!
Whether you’re going on a solo experience, with a significant other, or a group trip you’ll enjoy luxurious amenities and charm. You’ll love that you have plenty of space, fully-fitted kitchens, and epic panoramic windows so you can take in everything around you. Having this much space allows you to play some board games, do a bit of yoga on your favorite streamed platform, watching movies, and even cooking amazing meals. End your nights with a roaring fireplace to relax and of course you have a private onsen to relax your muscles after a day of hitting the slopes! You’ll find that a number of the chalets offered at the link above have ski-in/ski-out access which is convenient and you don’t lose a second of being able to access the slopes. There are heated boot rooms, private balconies, and an entertainment system that is state-of-the-art. The fact that you have an entire home to yourself is definitely an upgrade from a hotel room where you may have amenities, but the common areas are communal. The privacy of everyone in your group being together without having to interact with others is a major reason why we love the option of having a chalet.
We’re all about personalizing your experience! Whether that means bringing in a private chef or having people come in for other services, these are things that you can tailor when you are working with Villa Finder to ensure that your trip is everything that you want it to be. With a number of chalets within their portfolio, there is bound to be the perfect fit.
As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, the Winter is coming to an end in a few weeks, but the ski season in Niseko runs from Dec - May - so there is stull time. The Winter ski season can be broken down into sub-seasons that cover a 5 month period. The Early Season runs from Dec 3rd - Dec 20th. This time of year tends not to be too crowded and generally they have plenty of powder even at the start of the season! You may find that there are limited skiing opportunities on unmarked or ungroomed trails. You can enjoy night skiing in mid Dec. Temperatures on average 26.6°F (-3°C). High Season runs from Dec 21st - mid February. The snow is great during this time with a lot of dry powder and night skiing during this time is truly an experience! This is the holiday season so Christmas New Year and Chinese New Year can definitely have an impact on rates and availability - so book in advance. Although this is the coldest portion of the season, this is where the most snow will take place. The temperature in the village is usually between 28.4°F (-2°C) and 12.2°F (-11°C), whereas, at the peak it can get as cold as 5°F (-15°C) to -13°F (-25°C). Mid Season runs from Feb to early Mar. You’ll enjoy continued fresh powder and there are more sunny days in this period. The storms are a bit unpredictable during this time. This is another period that you want to book in advance. It’s a great time to enjoy fresh snowfall while also having backcountry hiking options! The average temperature is expected to remain between 23°F (-5°C) and 14°F (-10°C). There are less people that come during this time, so you don’t have to worry about crowds. Late Season runs from April to May 5th. There is plenty of snow base, no crowds, and lodging is plentiful. A number of the restaurants and shops have begun to shut down. Skiing becomes limited due to Niseko Village and Hanazono ski resorts being shut down during this period. The complimentary shuttle is no longer available at this time as it shuts down in Feb - you will need to arrange your own way to the ski lifts. The village usually experiences temperatures of around 39.2°F (4°C).