Getting ready for a Niseko winter

This summer as usual has been a great one to get out and enjoy the outdoors. We have played a lot of golf and been to the coast a few times to enjoy the hotter days at the beach.

Over summer we have had Japanese guests stay in our apartments and we also pitched in to help out families from Fukushima enjoy the safe environs of Niseko as part of the Tsunami Relief Program, all in all a great summer and one of the busiest in years.

Now as the days get shorter we are getting ready for winter. Out on our bikes and hiking in the mountains to make sure that we are fit and ready to hit the slopes when they open in less than 2 months!

Hiking Chisenupuri from the Panorama line is great short hike that takes about an hour up and a little less down

Perrin our operations manager making the most of the cooler autumn temps in Niseko

We have also been working on our site to make it easier for you to find  our deals , we now have pages totally dedicated to Christmas, Chinese New Years and Ski March in Niseko. You can also find deals at the bottom of a property page if there are related deals.

Hope all is good where ever you are  and hope you can join us again this winter. Remember snap up our deals while you can!

Niseko Autumn colours are all the rage at present, hiking a secret line on the search

Hanazono hiking/mtb trail

The Niseko Hanazono trail has to be my favorite  trail in the Niseko resort area. Fairly long, about 6-7 km’s. Challenging climbs for the first 2km’s. Bit of a slug but laced with a few fun downhill sections, some nice views and a creek crossing. We rode it last weekend, a bit of snow leftover but should be all gone within a week.

Creek crossing in late May

After about 2km’s is a small lake called Kagaminuma or Mirror lake. Nice place to take a breather and get ready for the real fun, the long variable downhill run.

Mirror lake Hanazono trail

Once past the lake there is one small 50 meter uphill climb, then an 800 meter steepish downhill section with some slightly sketchy traverses. Then comes the best part.  A long 3-4km’s of trail on a small decline, no tight corners. Get some speed up and pump and carve the corners, no need for breaking. Sweet.

Last half of Hanazono trail

The trail finishes at the entrance of the Hanazono Tokyu Resort golf course. The trail is actually intended for hikers so look out for them. Generally you may come across  a small group of hikers on the first half of the trail, especially on weekends. From the lake onwards hikers are rarely seen.

You can find directions to Hanazono trail on this link directions to Hanazono trail

Hanazono trail. Long mellow downhill section

Niseko mountain biking

For visitors to the Niseko resort area hoping to get in some mountain biking while on holiday. The good news is Niseko has some great trails and plenty more to come. This is thanks to a small group of local mountain bikers. Driven by their passion for the sport and area, this core group of locals are building new cross country and downhill courses. In turn helping make Niseko a true year round resort.

If you’re here on a Wednesday come join the locals for the weekly downhill jam. Meeting place is 200 meters from the Seicomart, at the Sunsports carpark. Come around 17:30 and do a few runs with the crew.

The Niseko crew loading up the bikes

Getting a lift up to the dsen downhill mtb course

* For information on mountain bike trails in Niseko and more, check out this handy site Nisekomtb.com

* If you want to rent a decent mountain bike try local Niseko Hirafu bike shop Groove Cycles