Niseko News

THE Hirafu pubscape has gone from strength to strength this year with all the old favourites returning, and several impressive new additions.

LOCAL boarders and skiers are getting ready for a night of clean lines and good times as the Après Bar and friends throw down a free ride rail jam.

JAPAN'S largest domestic air carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) has signed an agreement with the Niseko Promotion Board (NPB) with the aim of attracting more domestic tourists to the region

WITHOUT going too berserk on the puns, the third annual Niseko Hirafu International Darts Grand Slam has really snowballed and taken flight this year

NIHON Harmony Resorts KK (NHR) has opened the first building of its future master-planned development at Hanazono – the new Hanazono 308 Snowsports Centre.

CHRISTMAS came early for Niseko locals and a handful of lucky visitors when Grand Hirafu decided there was enough snow to allow top to bottom skiing on opening day Saturday.

GRAND Hirafu has announced they have enough snow and will turn on the lifts at 8.30am tomorrow, with Niseko Village follwing suit 24 hours later.

NISEKO is under a half a metre of snow thanks to the first major storm of the season, with the resorts almost certain to open within the next few days.

The ring around Thursday's full moon may have been more than just an interesting phenomenon - it may have signalled the start to the winter deluge.

ANNUPURI LAND has released new details about the Capella Niseko Resort and Residences ahead of its official launch this month.

HANAZONO has announced the opening of the new Hanazono 308 Ski Centre, a major milestone towards the development of the area.

THE forecast said light snow at village level, but no one expected the 5cm+ that piled up all over the village overnight.

NISEKO'S ski season is unofficially open after significant snowfalls overnight left up to half a metre of powder up high, with locals hiking up for first runs.

AFTER a couple of false starts, the snow looks to have arrived for good this season with falls almost to village level overnight.

A HUGE crowd including the local mayor turned out to celebrate the opening of Hirafu's new Irish pub Paddy McGinty's on Friday night.

CAPELLA is set to release the first concept drawings and models of it's much anticipated six-star resort development at Annupuri.

WORLD financial markets might be in turmoil, but cooler heads are prevailing among Niseko's leading property figures.

DESPITE a drop in the value of the Australian dollar against the Yen, Japan's lift tickets are still the best value in the world for Aussies.

THE early snowfall two weeks ago triggered a dramatic change of seasons in Niseko, which is now enjoying the full spectrum of Autumn colours.

FUN was had, money was raised, food and drink were consumed, bellies were wobbled - and in the middle some cricket broke out.