simon robinson

AFTER his house in the sun burnt down, he started building them in the snow. Powderlife caught up with the president of Hokkaido Tracks Resort Properties, Simon Robinson.

Could you start off by telling me a bit about yourself and how you came to Niseko?
I came here with my wife and business partner, Joasia, after we

IT’S the eternal battle. To ski or to board? That is the question.

For decades now it’s been heatedly argued out in bars après ski…or should that be après board?

Traditionally, there was much more animosity that existed between skiers and boarders. These days, the two ‘races’ live in

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

All the major developers are confident that despite an inevitable short term hit from the current crisis, the long term outlook for Niseko is rock solid.

Hokkaido Tracks Resort Properties president Simon

by Jason King
President of Hokkaido Real Estate.

From dinner parties in Hong Kong penthouses to lunch at the bistro in Thredbo, real estate and snow in Niseko are regular conversation topics. People’s ears prick up when they hear:

• “I’ve doubled my investment in 2 years”

There have been a number of Australians who have made a major impact on Niseko, beginning with adventure sports trio Ross Carty, Ross Findlay and Scott Walker, and then the inbound tour operators. Following them and also making an important contribution to the early days of the resort’s international expansion was Niseko’s first foreign

The recent opening of Kamimura, Dragon Bar and J Sekka has seen the local dining scene step up to another level this season.

Previously the top restaurants were still fairly casual and inexpensive. Now true fine dining is widely available.

Yuichi Kamimura’s new restaurant in the Yama Shizen is one of the most talked about

WHEN the history of Niseko is written, the latter half of 2007 will be seen as a major turning point in its transformation as a truly international winter resort.

In the run-up to the season this year, the judgement of the pioneer Australian developers has been well and truly vindicated, with significant international players