Niseko

A liberal attitude towards off-piste exploration means that most of the land within the resort boundaries is your playground. There's also some seriously challenging backcountry skiing, accessed via gates off the mountain peak. Think huge expanses of powder in back bowls pitch perfect tree skiing. 

Different Snow can organise excursions, with safety-conscious experienced and qualified guides, to nearby peaks such as Iwaonupurri, Nihonupurri, Chisenupuri and even towering Mount Yotei – surely the ultimate!

Also, having based yourself in Niseko you should also factor in day(s) in nearby ski resorts such as Moiwa, Rusutsu and Kiroro - we wouldn't usually recommend staying in either one of these purpose-built ski resorts (the off-mountain experience is a drag, compared to Niseko), but their respective off-piste bounty is truly outstanding. This is your opportunity to escape other people, finding your very own powder stash away from the hordes.

Safety is vital – make a knowledgeable guide, the Niseko Avalanche website and the savvy gate patrollers your best friends. As anywhere else in the world, it is paramount to have proper avalanche safety equipment before venturing into the backcountry. This includes a beacon, probe, and shovel in your backcountry pack, as well as the knowledge of how to use it properly.

There are a handful of more challenging runs from Niseko Village and on the Alpen Super Course – mainly un-groomed runs, kept fairly even by the regular snowfall. But if you're looking for an abundance of black runs, you won't find them here – but you will find true satisfaction by heading off-piste for an ultimate powder adventure.

Miharashi and Strawberry Fields are well-known tree runs, but the landscape can also be pretty open, making Niseko a great place to perfect your powder skiing without the worry of too many trees.

Moiwa, an adjacent resort connected by shuttle bus but not part of the Niseko United ski pass, is well worth a day trip – even more so if it's been snowing hard. Steal first tracks on a fresh powder day on the un-groomed Giant Run or Shirakaba Slopes, this being the stuff of dreams.

Niseko is an intermediate's paradise. You can happily cruise away the days perfecting your technique on sweeping pistes ideal for high-speed carvers; and it's a great place to stretch yourself by trying tougher slopes or delving into that delicious powder. Giving skies mean that sometimes the powder can be knee-deep, posing a new challenge if you're used to the hard-packed stuff.

If you get a taste for it, head over to Annupuri and Hanazono, which offer groomed runs as well as the chance to dip your skis in and try a little side-country skiing.

This is a great place to make your first forays, with innumerable wide, well-groomed pistes. More snow means less ice, and fewer embarrassing tumbles!

All four of the main ski areas have runs for beginners – you can take your pick, or explore them all by taking a shuttle bus between them. As you improve you'll soon be able connect on the mountain. We think the Niseko Village base area is the best beginner's hangout.

The Niseko United all-mountain ski pass covers all four resorts. Moiwa, an adjacent resort linked by shuttle bus, is not included – a separate lift pass is required if you chose to pop over on a powder day. Night skiing until 9pm is included on all lift passes.

There is a 1,000 Yen lift pass deposit included which will be immediately refunded when you return the pass to one of the ticket machines at the end of your stay.

Children are from 7-12 years, youths from 13-15 years and seniors are 60 and over. Other than that, you are an adult. Oh, and anyone under 7 gets their pass free!

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned powder hound, there is an extensive range of high quality skis, snowboards, boots and helmets. Based on where your accommodation is, we will choose the most convenient rental supplier – but always staying well away from one or two cowboys who have recently opened up in Niseko.

For those staying in middle or lower Hirafu Village, the rental shops will allow you to store your skis and poles up at the top of the village each evening.

There are several reputable ski schools operating in Niseko – and one or two Johnny-come-lately cowboys. It's all rather unregulated. We work with those we know and trust, with excellent English-speaking, fully-qualified instructors. When making our choice, we will consider where your accommodation is in relation to the various meeting points and what standard of skier/boarder you are; some excel for beginners whereas others specialise in those wanting to improve their powder technique.

You need to fly to Sapporo Chitose Airport, which ordinarily is a domestic flight from Tokyo, though are a few direct services in from Hong Kong, Australia and Helsinki.

From the airport its is a two to three hour transfer, either by coach or private charter.

A friendly word of warning for you ferociously independent travellers out there, watching every penny. Yo may not want to use Different Snow, which is fine. But be careful. Those who try book these transfers themselves often (usually?) end up with either no reservations because payment didn't go through the complicated Japanese admin process (though you don't know this) / getting picked up or dropped off miles away from where they need to be / using a cowboy operator, with poor vehicles and operating an undependable service. And arriving in Sapporo Chitose Airport and finding out you have no reservations, and all coaches / taxis / private transfers are booked solid for the next 48 hours, ain't fun. Don't be that guy.

And no, you can't get to Niseko by bullet-train from Tokyo. The new Shinkansen tracks to Sapporo (which will route via Niseko) doesn't open until 2028 - don't believe what other ill-informed tour operators tell you.