What is the effect of the new lift? Real snow quality and terrain play just after the start of the 26th season in the Niseko area

2025/12/24

Niseko's season has started off fairly smoothly

Niseko Annupuri's ski resorts were unable to open on their scheduled opening dates in late November due to a lack of snow, but they reopened within about a week. Several cold waves then brought significant snowfall, allowing most of the slopes to be opened

I love the fresh feeling that comes with the start of the season. The snow is incredibly light, and the unevenness of the terrain is fun. It's also nice to spend time figuring out how my new gear is working and adjusting the settings

Niseko Hanazono on a Sunday morning. It's empty before the inbound tourists arrive

As is well known, Niseko is extremely crowded during the high season, with inbound tourists flocking to the area.

The peak season begins around Christmas, with long lines at the lifts. That's why it's so valuable for locals to be able to ski at this time before the crowds begin.
They ski at the ski resort during this time, and once the high season arrives, they each head out to their favorite lines deep in the mountains.

Spray and tree seeds fly up together. A special moment in the early season.
Yuki Kawashima

It was a Sunday in mid-December.
I met up with Niseko local snowboarders Hamada Koji and Kawashima Yuki at Niseko Hanazono.

Even though it was the weekend, there was no wait for the lift. This was truly local time. The ungroomed areas were still thick with bamboo grass, but the powder had piled up on stumps and large rocks, making for an interesting terrain.
I kicked up powder and mixed in jumps as I skied.

A spray rising high in the thick bamboo
Koji Hamada

Along the way, we jammed with some local junior high school students, including my son.
Everyone was enjoying the new season.

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Niseko local junior high school students were also looking forward to the start of the season. Chise Watanabe

When you ski on good snow, your expression naturally becomes good

At Grand Hirafu, adjacent to Hanazono, the relay lift leading to the summit has been upgraded from a four-seater to a six-seater quad.
It will be interesting to see how much smoother the flow of people will be.

Grand Hirafu's new six-seater quad,
"King Six No. 3"

The next day, I met up with members of the "in crew," a snowboard crew based in the Niseko area, at Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort and headed to the slopes

Parking lot in the morning. Anticipation grows as to what kind of snow awaits. Adjust your gear settings to suit your conditions

Although Moiwa is small, it is characterized by its good snow quality and abundant ungroomed areas. Even in the peak season, it is not too crowded

The "in crew" often skis at Moiwa, as their boss, Kotaro Minamiya, produces the park there during the spring season

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Dry powder in the early seasonTomoyoshi
Harada

There are few people, so if you look around, there is still good snow left
.

The snow was light and nice that day, too. Everyone's faces lit up, and every time a spray rose ,

Tomoyoshi Harada slashes along the course

Niseko will no doubt be bustling with inbound tourists again this season. And as always, I hope there will be plenty of high-quality powder snow. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of season it will be

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■Information

NISEKO UNITED Official Website: https://www.niseko.ne.jp/ja/Official
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Official Website: https://niseko-moiwa.jp/ja/Official
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