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 with international tourists during peak season.

The peak season starts around Christmas, and the lifts have incredibly long lines. That's why being able to ski at this time of year, before the crowds begin, is so valuable for locals.
After skiing at this time, when the peak season arrives, everyone heads out to their favorite lines deep in the mountains.

The spray and tree seeds float 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 Koji Hamada and Yuki Kawashima at Niseko HANAZONO.

Despite it being the weekend, there was no wait for the lifts. This is true local time. The ungroomed areas were still covered in thick bamboo grass, but powder had accumulated on tree stumps and larger rocks, making for interesting terrain. We
skied down, kicking up powder and adding jumps.

A loud spray rises amidst the dense bamboo grass
- Koji Hamada

Along the way, we had a session with some local middle school students, including my son.
Everyone was enjoying the season they'd been playing.

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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 connecting lift leading to the summit has been upgraded from a 4-seater to a 6-seater quad chairlift.
It will be interesting to see how much smoother the flow of people becomes with this change.

has arrived at Grand Hirafu.
, "King 3Six,"

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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Early season dry powder
Tomoyoshi Harada

Because there are fewer people, if you look around, you can still find good snow
at Sora Sakashita.

They piled up laps, hitting the powder that had accumulated along the side of the course.
The snow was light and good again today. Just that alone brightened their faces, and cheers erupted with every spray of snow.

Slash by the side of the course -
Tomoyoshi Harada

kicks off the season with a bang.
Sora Sakashita

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

Click here for information on all of Niseko Mountain

■Information
NISEKO UNITED
Official Website:https://www.niseko.ne.jp/ja/
Official Social Media:Instagram|Facebook

Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Official Website:https://niseko-moiwa.jp/ja/
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