Powderlife co-founder and editor Kristian Lund is a former newspaper journalist who spent time growing up in Tokyo and learned to ski in the Japanese Alps. He earned his stripes as a reporter at News Limited newspapers, and went on to work as a senior media advisor in Australian state government. He started making Powderlife in 2007 after falling in love with life in Niseko during his first visit.
A 2014 nominee for Japan’s Best Ski Chalet at the World Ski Awards, Glasshouse is a true four-seasons luxury chalet.
Set on a spectacular cliff-side perch on the lower-most boundary of Hirafu Lower Village, there’s nothing but rivers and forest between it and towering Mt Yotei.
It was dubbed Glasshouse for the floor-to-ceiling windows encasing the top-floor living and dining area, making it feel like it’s hovering in the treetops and inviting the ever-changing environment inside.
It was originally built as the Niseko dream home of Simon Robinson, founder of Hokkaido Tracks Resort Properties. After developing dozens of Niseko’s first modern chalets and condominiums, Robinson – formerly a restaurateur – set about building his own place where he could cook and host guests in his home year-round.