Niseko: New York Times - The 41 Places to Go in 2011

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?

Moved House

The official Niseko Webzine site has moved. For all the latest Niseko info please follow the link here to the new Niseko Webzine.

Thank you for all the support of our readers.

Aussies among skiers rescued in Japan

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.

source

Sweetgrass Do Hokkaido......Great Clip!

Sweetgrass do Hokkaido! WTF?

Sweetgrass Productions are a ultra cool group of talented powder lovers and film makers from Colorado, USA.

In Janurary of this year (2009) they visited Hokkaido and got a taste of what Japan is all about! They have already put together a trailer of their trip and it is killer!

You can visit and buy their work from their website - http://www.sweetgrass-productions.com/

Check it out below!

In Search Of Scott McKay...............

Search For Scott McKay Called Off!

After a large scale search for the missing Brisbane IT specialist, police say they will now only keep searching if any new information comes to light.

Heavy snowfalls have been hampering the large-scale search effort over the last 7 days and it is now unlikely that finding any evidence of the disappearance is possible.

Police are also say ruling out foul play as they have confirmed that no one has used the 27-year-old's credit cards since he went missing.

To the McKay family and friends, you have our and our readers deepest sympathies.

Have You Seen Scott McKay?

Have you seen Scott McKay?

If you have any news or information about Scott McKay who went missing on Friday 20th of February after leaving Wild Bills please tell the authorities in Niseko!

Kevin Pearce, Nicolas Muller, Mason Aguirre, Mikkel Bang & Jake Burton do Niseko

Kevin Pearce, Nicolas Mullar, Mason Aguirre, Mikkel Bang & Jake Burton entertained by Niseko!

Results from their 2007/08 trip below.

For full story and pics pick the January issue of Transworld Snowboard magazine.

Day 1 of Season 2008/09

A photo or two says all that needs to be said!

Photos by Niseko photographer Glen Claydon

Are You Ready?

By the time most of you read this it will be on! That's right, the mountain will be open for business!

Official Opening - Saturday 22nd November 2008.

Good luck out at Furano Noriko and Furano Tourism, hope the cable car rocks the socks off the locals!

Just to get you a little pumped here is one of the greatest movie trailers ever! Enjoy!

Beyond Niseko

Coming to Niseko this year and want to check out something new! 

Here are some super early pictures of a litte place called Kurodake in central Hokkaido! Problem is this little area is closed from late December to early March because of too much snow! Good thing there is other places around the same area that will rock your socks off! For more info on Kurodake go over and check out the Black Mountain Lodge Blog here.

Thanks to Glen from GCP for the pics! Taken on the 13th of November, 2008.

If you want some special photos taken while your in Niseko this year he is the man to take them for you! Contact Glen at GCP.