Niseko

Niseko is made up of three areas of slopes - Grand Hirafu (Hirafu and Hanazono), Annupuri and Higashiyama. The three are linked, but not as efficiently as you might wish. There are modern lifts, but also some old single chairs on upper slopes. Niseko has a well-deserved reputation for powder snow, which falls almost constantly from December to the end of February, but the terrain is not steep. There are several modern ski-in/ski-out hotels (but little else) at the bases. Or you can stay in the atmospheric little town of Hirafu where, in the last few years, impressive modern apartments have gone up beside traditional pensions and lodges.