Niseko woke to around 20cms of fresh snow this morning and possibly a few cms more on the resort. The snow report through to the weekend is looking positive with light snow expected everyday and temperatures expected to stay below zero.
Today gave us a few sunny patches through the day and it was also pleasant to see the the winds dropped down over night. Snow quality is also improving due to temperatures being a little colder.
Just published an article on Niseko, here is a quick snipit:
Niseko is one of the snowiest destinations in the world with consistent falls of around 16 metres (640 inches) of light dry powder per season. It could be the best snow you will ever experience.
Frequent fresh powder is delivered consistently via cold frontal systems that flow across from Siberia. These unique weather conditions and temperatures produce snow with a mere 8% water content, resulting in some of the driest powder snow in the world. You will find it difficult to make a snowball most of the time the snow is that dry. Niseko consists of 4 resorts: Annapuri, Higashiyama, Hanazono and Hirafu; these areas offer spectacular skiing and snowboarding for all levels. Wide groomed runs or off-piste with open powder bowls, drops, chutes and fields of trees, there is something to satisfy everyone's desires. The Niseko United lift pass covers all four areas providing guests with over 48 km of ski runs serviced by 38 lifts. The longest run is a leg burning 5.6 km long. The resorts vertical measurement is 1,000 meters and comprising of 30% Beginner, 42% Intermediate and 28% Advanced.
Read the full article - Niseko - A Snow Destination You Must Visit
A little video of Niseko Pow to get you in the mood!
For more info on Niseko, check out Niseko Webzine, now with Niseko Accommodation deals on the way! ;)
Niseko has been ranked 12th by The New York Times in their article – The 41 Places to Go in 2011. (source)
It is pretty awesome to see Niseko get a mention in a New York Times travel article – no doubt it is massive for the area to help create awareness within the US market – but is it for the right reasons?
The tagline from the article “An Aspen emerges in Asia, with luxury to spare.” … is this the direction and image that Niseko wants (or needs) to be a world-renowned skiing destination?
Has the draw card for the world’s best skiers and snowboarders been that Niseko is an Aspen in Asia? In my eyes, Niseko is a long way from being given the same luxury label as these destinations and my personal preference is that it never gets to that level!
Read the full article - Niseko: Asia's answer to Aspen?
Eight foreign skiers including Australians and a Japanese guide have been rescued after spending the night on a mountain in subfreezing temperatures.
The skiers became lost on Tuesday on a trail in the town of Kamikawa on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, about 1,000km northwest of Tokyo, according to police spokesman Yuiji Kikuchi.
The group spent the night dug into the snow on Mt Kurodake, a 2,000-metre peak that is a popular ski destination.
The skiers were located Wednesday morning near the ski trail after a helicopter search. They suffered no injuries but two women were physically weak and taken to a hospital, according to the Yomiuri newspaper.
Temperatures in the area fell to minus 4.5 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, with foggy and rainy conditions, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The skiers were from New Zealand, Australia, and Britain.
