Niseko Hanazono trees. Image: Brett Ploss.

Report from December 30, 2023

Drove over to Niseko Grand Hirafu this morning. The snow was better than at Annupuri due to having less sun exposure.

Niseko United Trail Map. Image: Niseko United.

Niseko United is the umbrella that combines four ski resorts which are inter-connected by lifts and all available on the IKON pass. From left to right in the above trail map are Annupuri, Niseko Village Ski Resort, Grand Hirafu, and Hanazono Resort.

Overnight we had a few flurries which was noticeable on the mountain in the morning.

Niseko Hanazono Hooded Lift #1. Image: Brett Ploss.

Nothing can beat the tree skiing in Japan. Under Hanazono Hooded Lift #1, there is a large wooded bowl full of wide open trees. I spent the better half of the day lapping here and finding some fresh patches of snow.

Surprisingly, trees are not skied out fast in Japan.

Niseko Village Mori-no chair. Image: Brett Ploss.

Then headed over to Niseko Village. Mori-no chair provided access to some great steep terrain in a gully that other skiers had left. Mori-no is lower on the mountain and had been hit with the sun so was a bit icy in spots. Some fresh snow would make this lift epic.

Niseko Hirafu’s view of Mount Yōtei. Image: Brett Ploss.

Finished back at Niseko Grand Hirafu where there were great views of Mount Yōtei all the way down into the parking lot.

Niseko Annupuri night skiing. Image: Brett Ploss

After a sunset Onsen dip, I just had to grab a few laps at Annupuri where night skiing is offered until 7:30 p.m. All four Niseko resorts offer at least one lift of night skiing every night.

Looking forward to the snowfall forecast for tomorrow. This should help get the upper mountain opened to allow all four ski areas of Niseko United to be connected.