Check out before departing to Japan post on “Useful travel information for your Japan trip“
Combined review – some info and reviews of locations have been updated in 2023.
2023 route: Niseko – Sapporo – Tokyo
2016 route: Tokyo – Niseko – Sapporo – Tokyo Disney Resort (DisneySea, Urayasu, Chiba)
Useful links:
- Niseko Resort Tourist Association
- Niseko Japan
- Furano Tourism Association
- Noboribetsu Tourism Association
Hokkaido has 3 ski resorts namely Niseko, Rusutsu, and Furano.
Niseko (ニセコ) is about a 2h30mins to 3hrs coach ride from New Chitose airport (新千歳空港). Niseko United manages Niseko and the resorts consist of Grand Hirafu (includes Hirafu and Hanazono), Niseko Village, Hanazono and Annupuri. More information available here.
Niseko is dubbed to have the best ski in Hokkaido.
“Niseko’s winter season runs from late November to early May. The peak powder period from mid-December to early March.”
Rusutsu is about 90mins coach ride from New Chitose airport, Furano is about 3 hours.
There are only a couple of travel agencies in Singapore that offers ski package or land package to the ski resorts. The agencies either stay at Rusutsu, Kiroro, or Green Leaf Niseko. The options for free and easy packages with a wider choices of ski resorts tie-up are JTB, UOB Travel or H.I.S.
In this post (updated 2023):
- Shuttle buses – Brief ski info of Niseko Village & Grand Hirafu
- 2016 from Tokyo to Niseko (handling a flight cancellation due to heavy snowfall)
- 2023 – Review of Setsu Niseko
- 2016 – Review of Hilton Niseko and hotel ski rental
SHUTTLE BUSES from New Chitose airport -> Niseko -> Sapporo:
Bus services at JR Sapporo station and the airport operate from November to May. Bus stop information at New Chitose airport for Domestic or International terminal. JR and Bus frequency is noted to be reduced.
*Check the start of the service period of the bus so that there is transport to and from the hotel.
Bus companies to Hilton Niseko from New Chitose airport (Partnered bus companies for Hilton are #1, #2 and #3) are:
- White-Liner: Book early online (until 30 Nov) to enjoy 20% off ie. ¥6,400 (round trip; adult) ¥3,200 (round trip; child). Child is from 3-12 years. Free for infants who do not need a seat.
*White Liner also offers ski/ snowboard rental here
2. Niseko Airport Shuttle ¥4,000 (one-way; adult) ¥2,000 (one-way; child). In-between stops. No service to and from Sapporo.
3. Hokkaido Access Network ¥4,000 (one-way; adult) ¥3,000 (one-way; child). No service to and from Sapporo. Reserve your seats
4. Chuo Bus
Bus available from 10 Dec.
*Arrive 10 minutes before departure time.
Requires to make a reservation. Chuo staff will revert with a confirmation voucher and payment is made at the bus counter at the airport to redeem your ticket.
In the event the plane arrives late, go to Chuo bus counter to change to the next available bus.
We chose options #3 and #4 base on the arrival date and time of our flight and the bus timing for returning to Sapporo.
*You need to reserve for the Hilton partnered bus to and from the airport 9 days prior to arrival.
There are JR Railway departing from Sapporo station on rapid airport (transfer at Otaru to local train) approx. taking 2h15min to reach.
Peak season from 16 December 2023 to 20 March 2024.
Opening Dates for the 2023-24 Winter Season for all slopes start from December 2, 2023.
Travel within the Niseko village by Hilton Niseko village shuttle bus (check info nearer to winter season)
Hilton Niseko buses are free of charge for hotel guests and are available at certain timing. Other bus services (provided by Niseko United) that also stops at Hilton requires paying a fee that varies from ¥150/person or more and have a wider timeframe.
*Going back to the hotel, if it is outdoor waiting for the shuttle bus, the advice is to just pay and get on-board bus that is first to arrive, as the path was dark and it got freezingly cold.
Review as of 2016
Early season pass (December 2, 2023 – December 15, 2023):
- Grand Hirafu and Hanazono lift pass: For first timers and beginners, and give you access to 60% of the Niseko United ski resort. Shortest period is 5 hours and up to 7 day pass for early season. Prices
- 1 day All Mountain pass ¥6,700 (A) ¥5,400 (13-15 years) ¥4,000 (4-12 years), ¥5,400 (Senior 65+).
- 2 days All Mountain pass ¥13,000 (A) ¥10,400 (13-15 years) ¥7,800 (4-12 years), ¥10,400 (Senior 65+).
Free lift and gondola for preschool kids. Free inter-area shuttle. Note online purchases are non-refundable and non-replaceable.
Higashiyama area – Niseko village snow school (NVSS)
Only private lessons available during our period of stay. The website indicates multilingual instructors.
2 Oct 2023: reservation starts for ski/snowboard lesson and ski/snowboard rental.
We were with Rhythm Rides and only private lesson for non-peak season. FAQ & Terms
Niseko Grand HIRAFU Snow School
- Group ski/snowboard lessons are in Japanese only.
- Only private lesson offered at the start of the winter season.
- The website indicates English is also used by the instructor, but will need to enquire further directly as the instructors’ profile did not indicate specifically indicate their English proficiency.
- Kids group lessons for 4-6 years (limited in 3-4 kids) only teaches skiing.
GOSNOW
All group lessons starts on 12 Dec 2023. Lessons are conducted in English.
- Ski classes for 3-6yrs, Full day 6.5 hours from 9am to 15:13 ¥19,000 (lunch included) or Half day 3.5 hours from 9am to 12:30pm ¥15,000.
- Ski/Snowboard classes for 7-14yrs, Full day 6.5 hours from 9am to 15:13 ¥18,000 (lunch included) or Half day 3.5 hours from 9am to 12:30pm ¥14,000.
- Ski/Snowboard classes for Adult, Full day 5.5 hours from 10am to 15:13 ¥16,000 (lunch included) or Half day 2.5 hours from 10am to 12:30pm ¥14,000.
- Private lesson (start of the season)
Full day 6 hours from 8:30/ 9/ 9:30/ 10 am ￥88,000￥70,000 (on 14/10/23)
AM 4 hours from 8:30/9am ￥69,000￥55,000 (on 14/10/23)
1 hour from 8:30-9:30am￥20,000
Dates of Operation: December 16, 2023 – April 7, 2024 from 9am to 4pm (Last entry 3pm)
Walk-in guests to play ¥3,600/tube for 60 minutes, 3 years and above
Galaxy of Kidz (Indoor Kids Adventure Area) ¥3,000 for a 45 mins session.
SKI RENTAL for Winter 2023/2024
| Adult | Child* | |||||||
| Standard package | Skis, boots and poles | Skis and poles | Jacket and pants | Helmet | Skis, boots and poles | Skis and poles | Jacket and pants | Helmet |
| Hilton Niseko |
1D 5,500 2D 10,500 |
1D 4,200 2D 7,400 |
– |
1D 4,200 2D 7,300 |
1D 3,000 2D 5,200 |
|||
| Rhythm Niseko^
(Premium, visit website) |
1D 5,500 (4,400) 2D 10,500 (8,400) |
1D 4,500 (3,600) 2D 9,000 (7,200) |
1D 5,000 (4,000) 2D 9,000 (7,200) |
1D 2,000 (1,600) 2D 3,000 (2,400) |
1D 4,000 (3,200) 2D 7,000 (5,600) |
1D 3,500 (2,800) 2D 6,000 (4,800) |
1D 3,000 (2,400) 2D 5,000 (4,000) |
1D 2,000 (1,600) 2D 3,000 (2,400) |
| Goodsports (Courier service to selected accom. Shop is located near Hirafu) | – | 2D 7,000** | 2D 5,600** | 2D 3,150 | – | 2D 4,900** | 2D 4,200** | 2D 3,150 |
- * Child = 13 years & below
- **Web discount for 5 days advance purchase
- **Hilton 2016 pricing
- 1D denotes 1 day
- ^Provides kids 7 or 10 days of ski/ snowboard lessons. Try and swipe for free. 10% off when pre-book any rental gear. Rental T&C
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