Niseko United

True powder hounds know not to head to Niseko United without backcountry gear, or at least a shovel, beacon and probe (& knowledge on how to use them!). Some steeps sections can be found but compared to other resorts such as world-renowned Chamonix and Whistler Blackcomb, the terrain is relatively mellow. This doesn’t matter so much because, unlike Whistler, the powder in Niseko is so light you charge right through it with barely any speed or effort at all.

There are 9 gates which lead to off-piste, unpatrolled areas; 4 of these also serve as backcountry gates. If the gate is closed then you’re not allowed in that area. There aren’t enough patrollers to man the gates all day, so heed the warnings and get the knowledge off the staff to make sure you know where you’re heading. If you don’t have all the backcountry gear then it is available to hire or buy, but it’s simply not worth heading out there without it.

Freeriders should head straight to the peak (King Lift #4 and Ace Pair Lift #4) if weather allows. An easy option is to take Gate 3 but the 20min hike from the top of the chair takes you to the highest point on the mountain, Mt Annupuri. From here your options are close to 360 degrees with views from volcano to sea. The terrain is endless with open powder bowls, trees and gullies. The length of your ride is governed by how far you want to hike to get back inbounds (if at all) but the option to shred one vertical kilometre of powder is also there if you’re willing to do another 15 minute (and much easier!) hike along a cat track.

Dropping into the east face starts your run with a wide-open, obstacle free meadow and some of the steepest terrain in Niseko United. When the tree line begins, you can cut out to the right and follow the valley to Hanozono Lift #3. Keep going however and there’s multiple ridges, gullies and trees (both tight and open) which all drop you on a cat track. Take this right and you end back at Hanazono piste (finish with Blueberry Fields to the base of Hanazono). Take this left however and you’ll find some fun pitches, even less-tracked powder in Jacksons. The downside of this is a traverse through the trees to the base of Hanazono. Go with a local for this route because you can get it pretty wrong!

Gate #2 takes you to Oosawa, trees, ridges, chutes and natural half pipes. Ride and repeat for endless powder runs.

When the gates are closed and you’re looking for mid-mountain fun, check out Mizuno No Sawa, Miharashi and Waterfall (Gate #9). Gates #4, #7 and #8 will often be open and a good choice on low-vis/high-wind days

The backcountry is sensational with plenty to choose from all within easy access of the resort. Make sure you check out the conditions before you head out of bounds and scope out the route beforehand as large cornices and windlips can develop which can present a danger to yourselves and the people riding below. There are plenty of status updates printed and placed at the bottom of the Gondolas and any lift that accesses the gated areas.

Two major no-no’s are the areas called “Haru no taki” under the Niseko Gondola between Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village, and “Yu no sawa” between Annupuri Gondola and Niseko Village ski area, but they are clearly marked.

Backcountry tours are available from:

Niseko Outdoor Adventure Sports Club (www.noasc.com) tel +81 136-23-1688, which has a shop and office near the Hirafu base.

Powder Pursuit www.powderpursuit.net tel: +81(0)90-6877380
Niseko Snow Adventures www.go-nsa.com Tel: +81(0)90-97574083

 

Within the resort boundary you can go pretty much anywhere that isn’t roped off.

Freestylers are fairly well catered for at Niseko United – weather/powder dependent! When it’s not a powder day the parks are definitely fun to lap. Across the 4 resorts, 2 offer parks with well maintained, constantly modified hits, rails and quarter pipes. Something for everyone, from pro to beginner

The smaller of the two; Hanazono boasts a The Main Park & The Jib Park, accessible from Hanazono Hooded Quad #1. This includes two big lines for intermediate and advanced riders where they even host a slopestyle comp and banked slalom event during the winter. The jumps ride smoother and longer than the Grand Hirafu park relying on you to ollie stead of kicking you up, so although bigger, they are more easy to handle than the jumps on the Grand Hirafu side.

Halfpipe
Photo: James Woodward

The second park is accessed from King Pair Lift #1 in Grand Hirafu. Again, well maintained hits (table-tops, step-downs), rails (triangular, cylinder and double-down) and progressively large features are here to play on. Right next to the chair and the beginner area, you’ll have an audience – whether you like it or not!

Given the small size of these parks the kickers are fairly close together, not giving much time to speed-check before the next one, so our advice is to only hit the full line one you’re comfortable with them all.

Niseko United isn’t really about the big park riding though. Look hard enough and you’ll find plenty of hits built by enthusiastic locals and there is more than plenty natural hits and gullies to hit throughout the resort.

Piste riders can take advantage of the 900m of vertical Niseko-Hirafu has to offer. There are plenty of long wide runs especially heading towards the Hanazono area. The well-groomed terrain provides awesome runs for everyone from beginner to experts, although there’s nothing that’s so steep it’s going to get your heart rate up.

Beginners can start on their own slope without feeling in the way and then slowly graduate up the mountain at their own leisure. With easy runs available from top to bottom beginners can also enjoy the 900m of vertical Niseko United has to offer. Check out the originally named “Family” run, “Holiday” and “Banzai”.