Depends on what the goals of your trip are, how long you're coming for and what your budget is. I come to Niseko to ski powder and I spend most of my time out of the resort boundaries in the lift-accessed backcountry (side country). My opinion is obviously based off what I personally do. December can be a bit of a gamble from season to season. This season that just went there wasn't much snow at all, so there were only a few lifts to ride early on. It wasn't until after Christmas that most lifts opened up. The season before this one there was plenty to go around in December. The side country gates normally don't open until early to mid-January, so December skiing is mainly on groomers and tree runs inside the resort boundaries. If you want serious pow and wish to ski the sidecountry gates or backcountry terrain, mid Jan to early Feb is peak season and it dumps almost every day. By this time there's a decent snow base formed so you can basically ride anywhere you want on the mountain. You'll rarely see the sun during this period, but that's why you get the awesome snow. If you don't want to ride in completely whiteout conditions, I wouldn't recommend coming at this time. This is normally the most expensive period to visit and most places book out fast. Mid to late Feb is a great period as it still snows a lot. It's not stormy every day like in January, but you still get storm cycles come through and dump. There are usually a few bluebird powder days to be had during this period if you're lucky with timing. This is usually when I tend to get the best days skiing of the season because there's less people around. Accommodation is also likely cheaper than January. Early March can also be really good sometimes for powder. The temperature warms up a bit and you get more bluebird days, and the resort starts to empty out. This season I got some crazy pow days in March and even a 5cm dump on April 1st (still editing the videos). However last season it only snowed once at the start of March. There's still a decent snow base throughout March to ski on though if you don't get any snow storms come through. Mid-March to mid-April is spring skiing as the snow starts to melt. It's not what I go to Niseko for but it's still plenty of fun. You get slushy snow around, plenty of sun and the resort starts to build a few terrain parks to entertain yourself. Feel free to message me on Instagram (@blaize2k) if you have any other questions, I'm always happy to chat. I have some friends working for accommodation providers in Niseko that I can put you in contact with if you wish to book a trip.
Love the roller coaster of a day when you lost your pole, ecstatic, p’ed off, back on boyz! Watching those peak lines, how do you not run into a tree when you get those facials?!
Haha it was a seriously emotional day, the video doesn't do it justice. The highs and lows of life all within a 2 hour period. You have to always be paying attention to the line you're riding and where the trees are at all times. It's very easy to get quickly disoriented with a spray, so you have to be confident in the line you've chosen.
I'm not sure what you mean here. I always wear a helmet, it's what my camera is mounted to and you can see it multiple times in the video. My friend is also wearing a helmet. Can't speak for others though...
When is the best time to visit ?
Depends on what the goals of your trip are, how long you're coming for and what your budget is.
I come to Niseko to ski powder and I spend most of my time out of the resort boundaries in the lift-accessed backcountry (side country). My opinion is obviously based off what I personally do.
December can be a bit of a gamble from season to season. This season that just went there wasn't much snow at all, so there were only a few lifts to ride early on. It wasn't until after Christmas that most lifts opened up. The season before this one there was plenty to go around in December. The side country gates normally don't open until early to mid-January, so December skiing is mainly on groomers and tree runs inside the resort boundaries.
If you want serious pow and wish to ski the sidecountry gates or backcountry terrain, mid Jan to early Feb is peak season and it dumps almost every day. By this time there's a decent snow base formed so you can basically ride anywhere you want on the mountain. You'll rarely see the sun during this period, but that's why you get the awesome snow. If you don't want to ride in completely whiteout conditions, I wouldn't recommend coming at this time. This is normally the most expensive period to visit and most places book out fast.
Mid to late Feb is a great period as it still snows a lot. It's not stormy every day like in January, but you still get storm cycles come through and dump. There are usually a few bluebird powder days to be had during this period if you're lucky with timing. This is usually when I tend to get the best days skiing of the season because there's less people around. Accommodation is also likely cheaper than January.
Early March can also be really good sometimes for powder. The temperature warms up a bit and you get more bluebird days, and the resort starts to empty out. This season I got some crazy pow days in March and even a 5cm dump on April 1st (still editing the videos). However last season it only snowed once at the start of March. There's still a decent snow base throughout March to ski on though if you don't get any snow storms come through.
Mid-March to mid-April is spring skiing as the snow starts to melt. It's not what I go to Niseko for but it's still plenty of fun. You get slushy snow around, plenty of sun and the resort starts to build a few terrain parks to entertain yourself.
Feel free to message me on Instagram (@blaize2k) if you have any other questions, I'm always happy to chat. I have some friends working for accommodation providers in Niseko that I can put you in contact with if you wish to book a trip.
"Hey excuse me can you grab my pole" has to be the greatest ice breaker ive ever heard.
Hahaha and unfortunately it didn't work
Just so good to watch all those good moment on the mountain brooo 😄
Yeah bro, we had such a crazy season together.
One day you will be able to show your kids this video series to prove that you are a "cool" dad
🤣
The snow is incredible, what a great vlog man! 😮
Hard to believe it got much better from here! Just never got this visibility again until spring.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Production quality improving immensely with each video!
4k video still won't do it justice, but its close enough 👌
Thank you bro, 4K made a huge difference.
Definitely much better in person but this is about as good as it gets if you aren't here!
brus looks mint
That was a special day to have pow and sun at the same time. Rarely happens here!
Love the roller coaster of a day when you lost your pole, ecstatic, p’ed off, back on boyz! Watching those peak lines, how do you not run into a tree when you get those facials?!
Haha it was a seriously emotional day, the video doesn't do it justice. The highs and lows of life all within a 2 hour period.
You have to always be paying attention to the line you're riding and where the trees are at all times. It's very easy to get quickly disoriented with a spray, so you have to be confident in the line you've chosen.
No helmets?
I'm not sure what you mean here. I always wear a helmet, it's what my camera is mounted to and you can see it multiple times in the video. My friend is also wearing a helmet.
Can't speak for others though...