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MOUNTAIN INFORMATION
Niseko is famous for it’s deep and fluffy powder snow. The resort starts from an altitude close to sea level and rises to 1200m, offering 1000m in elevation.

Niseko is made up of 57 runs, which consist of 38 lifts and gondolas, totaling over 47km in groomed slopes. There is a good mixture of beginner, intermediate and advanced runs, with skiers and snowboarders welcome everywhere.
The longest run is 5.6km and as well as the powder, the terrain offers first timer slopes, half-pipes, quarter popes, table tops, mogul fields, tree runs and lots of natural hits to ensure everyone’s tastes are catered for.

Lift facilities are great and operate without rest for over 12 hours a day – starting at 8:30am and closing at 9:00pm. Niseko also offers seven different on-mountain restaurants to eat or rest in.

Some of the lifts in Niseko have automatic, protective weather hoods as Niseko weather can be extremely cold. Skiers and boarders should be fully prepared with warm gloves and facemasks (these are available in the village and on the mountain. Prices vary from 1000 JPY to 2000 JPY).

VILLIAGE INFORMATION AND FACILITIES
Although Niseko is well known for its fresh powder snow, it is fast being famous for its vibrant village. The village of Hirafu is packed with great places to eat and drink.
Niseko has a large selection of restaurants of all types: Izakayas, Yakitori and sushi restaurants, rahmen shops and curry houses. Prices are about average by Japanese standards. Almost all restaurants have English menus and English speaking staff, but don’t be afraid to take your Japanese phrase book! Please note that although some places accept Visa or MasterCard, cash is the main form of payment.

Mount Youtei, at 1,898 meters, provides a spectacular backdrop to the Niseko area. It is an extinct volcano located southeast of the main ski area. Mount Youtei’s top half is draped in snow for about 8-9 months of the year; a truly breathtaking view when skiing or boarding the slops of the resort.

The 7000-hectare area around the summit has been designated a national park. As the snow melts in summer, the landscape comes alive with the colourful native alpine plants of Japan. This impressive landscape can be hiked in summer, requiring about 6 hours. It ranks ninth among the hundred most famous mountains in Japan.

Other facilities of interest:
- 30 meter indoor swimming pool, which is available for public use (600JPY). There are also single spas, steam rooms and saunas within the complex. Location: Niseko Alpen Hotel (open 12:00 – 9:00pm daily).
- Child minding services
- There is a shuttle bus that runs from 9:00am to 5:00pm offering free transfers from accommodation to the lifts and back. This shuttle service is only available for skiers/boarders and cannot be used for transport around the village (http://www.niseko.ne.jp/en/bus.html).
- Massage and physiotherapy services

USEFUL INFORMATION:
Niseko has two convenience stores. The SeicoMart is quite large and is open from 7:00am – 11:00pm. This stocks most groceries and alcohol and is the main place to get food and supplies. There are supermarkets in Kutchan accessible by free bus (6:30pm – 11:40pm Hirafu to Kutchan).

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