Snowsure: 4.6
- Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing
- Is often closed due to a lack of snow
- Occasionally suffers from a lack of snow
- Rarely suffers from a lack of snow
- Niseko Grand Hirafu is snowsure even in the poorest seasons
Visitor reviews for Niseko Grand Hirafu Ski Resort
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(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
Latest
January 22, 2014
John from
Japan - Nagano
John from
Japan - Nagano
As someone who lives here I want to provide an unbiased account of what Niseko is.
Yes, there are lots of Australians in January, this is the Australian School/University holiday period. As such, there and just as many Singaporeans/Malaysians here in December and Hong Kong/Chinese here in February.
It is easy to bash the Australian culture as the Australian accent is easily identified as 'Australian' and people overestimate the actual number of Aussies in the resort. There are still 65-70% Japanese on the mountain each day but the Australian language is recognised and as such artificially inflated to numbers far greater than that are actually present. As most people can't identify which Asian language is being spoken, or which European language is being spoken, it is not easy to identify who is being referred to but the Australian accent is is strong and prevalent.
In December, people are always critical of the pushy nature of Singaporeans and Malaysians but without them, the resort wouldn't function as it is. It is the same in January with the 'drunk' Aussies where a few and their actions result in the masses being typecast. It happens all over the world in ski resorts, beach resorts, cities and cultural hotspots and no one nation can lay claim to being perfect.
Niseko is a fantastic place to visit for a ski holiday and as it has grown over the years, so has the number of people visiting. The unfortunate thing about people complaining here is that they have to share the mountain with a huge array of people from a multitude of countries and that is just part of the draw that has made Niseko what it is.
When you have the snow that we have here, people will come, that is what they want. Without the western accommodation, people weren't coming but now they do and the primary reason is snow. If you want to spend your hard earned income on a ski holiday where you might not have any snowfall during your stay, that is fine, but snow is what you want and in most parts of the world it is a real luxury item. In Niseko, it is an affordable luxury in that is is very consistently falling and providing visitors to the area with an amazing skiing experience.
Add to that, the restaurants and nightlife, the ski schools and rental shops, and the ease of interaction with English speaking Japanese and it is easy to see why so many keep coming back.
It isn't perfect, but where is? Having lived in Canada and France and seen what resorts are like in those countries plus holidays in the US, Italy, Sweden and NZ, I happily call Japan home as the all round overall experience in Niseko is far greater than anywhere else I've experienced.
You can't put a price on snowfall and if you want the Niseko powder experience, you have to come here and put up with the small issues to experience the greater good.
January 21, 2014
Dean
Dean
Just returned from our 6th trip to Niseko and we had a ball and the snow was, once again, spectacular. We have been at very different times through Dec/Jan, over the years, and the experience we have seen is that the New year period, at Xmas to early Jan and the Chinese new year period in Feb, are when the peak crowds appear. This is not as a result of the Aussies but the local Japanese and influx of Hong Kong Chinese on their holiday break. Outside of this period the crowds are very manageable. Given it is so cold at night most people are huddled up inside their apartment or in restaurants so this perception of drunken louts, roaming the streets, seems to be a little overstated given what we have seen. Enjoy your skiing, be tolerant, don't expect to be the only one on the mountain and you'll love the place.
January 11, 2014
Ned
Ned
Reading through the reviews I have to agree there are too many Aussies, which destroys the whole experience. Easy access to credit enables infiltration to Niseko which leaves a trail of vomit and filth.
Anyway, as far as the skiing is concerned, the powder is great but it comes at a cost. Freezing temperatures and poor visibility are key features.
[note from the editor : text edited to maintain direct relevance.]
November 28, 2013
FCA from
China - Ji Lin
FCA from
China - Ji Lin
Great area, but do not visit during Jan, especially early-mid, because there are far too many Aussie high school/uni students. Drunk on the street, verbally harassing bystanders, turning on their boombox in public restaurants during the day are just some of the antics they're involved in. I disagree that we should indulge in their behaviour "just because they're on holiday and we should expect it". I also regret that someone has revealed Anna and Moiwa as quieter spots...I've retreated there for many years and now you've given it away! ;-)
Have found Niseko to be wonderful place otherwise. Recommend going Feb onwards, for reasons stated above.
November 11, 2013
John
John
Only 2 months 'till I'll be back (10th trip) in the powder heaven. It makes it worth working all year for 21 days in Niseko.
Beautiful cheesecakes, excellent food and a spot of sliding on the best snow on planet earth. The people, their beautiful manners - please fellow visitors respect the beauty, the locals and enjoy!
October 07, 2013
frank from
China - Ji Lin
frank from
China - Ji Lin
Hirafu is a great place and a lot of what's happening in the area happens here. But if you want to escape the people I would head out to Annupuri and Moiwa (same mountain) to do your riding.
There's a lot of Aussie bashing in some of the reviews and I honestly have to say that in the 7 years that I have been going I've never really run into drunken/obnoxious Australians that have bothered me personally. I do see some kids late at night, drunk, and fairly loud, but heh, people are on vacation so, to an extent, expected. There's way more drunken stupidity in North American and European resorts. Like I touched on earlier. If you want to avoid all of this stay in Izumikyo or Annupuri where it's way more laid back.
March 18, 2013
heather mccalman
heather mccalman
I have just read another review on the behaviour of some of my countrymen (and I do mean mostly males). I have to say that as a long term visitor to this resort (10 consecutive years) and as an Australian, I was really pleased to read the review and to see it placed where some who need to read it might. Thanks for publishing it so prominently.
March 14, 2013
Simon Leavers
Simon Leavers
Hirafu is amazing soft powder, unbelievable. Great restaurants and shopping. Would come back. It is great to see many cultures from the world skiing in the one place. All the staff at the ski schools were so friendly.
To another reviewer: You are right, some Australians are rowdy. However, this comes down to hard working, hard playing culture. Unfortunately, this seems to offend you. Niseko markets itself to Australians so we come here. Some Aussies probably watch snowboarding videos before they come and see the antics of those silly Americans and their crazy stunts. After reading your article I reflected on my day. I skied hard and then walked around the village with my family enjoying the shops. I even saw an Aussie in the pub drinking a pint at 4 pm, how uncouth. Once home we enjoyed a few drinks and some fine Hokkaido cheese and salami. We then had a bottle of wine over dinner where we discussed how the cavalier attitude of American bankers has caused many retirees in Australia to face a life of poverty! Also, how when you walk down Venice beach you are faced with people attempting to get you in cannabis clinic, in front of your children how disgusting. We also discussed how pleasant it was to ski in Beaver Creek and how polite the Americans were to us in our dealings with them. We also laughed about the wild party we saw near the children's ski school in Beaver Creek where teenage Americans were drinking and tops were coming of young girls in sub zero temps. What a colourful world we live in, if you do not like it get some black and white glasses.
March 08, 2013
The Dude
The Dude
Brilliant 10 days of powder and I mean real powder. Not the clumps you get in Nth America or worse (Aussie powder). This stuff is smoke.
The food was great but wear your helmet at dinner so you can't hear the New Zealanders complaining about the prices. Down south at Hukuba for a season I was always fretting about the weather / rain but I don't think I cared once about the chances of snow in Niseko.
P.S Do the road trips to some other resorts like Rusutsu and Furano. It is truly a magical part of the world.
February 26, 2013
Utah from
Japan - Nagano
Utah from
Japan - Nagano
Great consistent snow, too many Aussies. I have tons of Aussie friends, but this is not your country. Show some respect for the Japanese and for the mountain sports. You don't have a mountain culture of your own so you lack any semblance of mountain etiquette, apparently, and mountain safety, more importantly. Lack of snow knowledge and a belligerent attitude in avalanche areas endangers everyone. I wish I was generalizing. The world is tired of the endless drunken show, tired of the white trash treatment of the locals in other countries, tired of the disrespect for other cultures. You have become the Brazilians of the mountains, and as a surfing culture, you know what this entails. If you don't like these comments, tough, do some self-policing. If these were Americans you would be tirelessly railing against them but you have become the obscene ugly white travelers, especially in the mountains. If even the Canadians hate you, wake up. Stop screaming English at the Japanese, be polite, learn something about snow, respect and don't endanger others, drop the drunken hooliganism. Had to be said.
Nearest