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feature T off-mountain activitiesSnowshoeingOne of the special attractions in Niseko is to walk on a lake of solid ice. Especiallyif you have swum happily in that same lake before in summer. Scott AdventureSports (SAS) runs snow shoeing tours to Hangetsu-ko (Half-Moon Lake), that peopleof any age can enjoy. They will pick you up from your accommodation and takeyou on the short 10-minute drive to the lake at the foot of Mt Yotei before youstrap into the snowshoes and you’re off. The walk into the lake is beautiful andpeaceful, and once you’re on the lake your guide might fill a saucepan with snowand boil you a cup of tea and supply you with some snacks. If you're really luckyhe might sing you a Nepali lullaby while you rest. You can traipse out on the lakefor as long as you like before you decide to return to the van. A great day out thateveryone can enjoy, Call SAS for bookings on 0136 21 3333.Staying in the snowBoukenkazoku offers snow activities forthose who want to make the most ofNiseko’s powder. It does snowshoeing(¥4000 per person, two hours,minimum two persons), and igloocamping (¥7350 per person, includestwo meals, minimum two persons). Formore information call 0136-22-3759, orvisit www.bouken-kazoku.com.Niseko Snowmobile Adventures (NSA) runs fully-guided, hands-on tours inNiseko’s backcountry. With terrain suited for all levels from beginner to expert,NSA takes customers into the far reaches of the backcountry to places that areunattainable by foot, ski or board. Tours are available everyday and last for aboutsix hours. Costs ¥30,000 per person for standard group tour, ¥45,000 for one-ononeprivate tour. For bookings call 090-9757-4083, or check www.go-nsa.com.ToursPhoto: Glen Claydon.Tired of touristy Niseko? Want an authentic Japanese experience? TryKutchan’s Cultural Tours, a hit throughout the season. These tours of‘K-Town’ offer a taste of the orient with an insight into a Japanese tea ceremony,a natural history museum and a Niseko sake brewery. There is one more tourthis season on Tuesday, March 3, from 3pm-6pm. Tours depart from the NisekoSafety Information Centre (next to Seicomart).For more information, call 0136-23-0222.Kutchan and Otaru tour packages are provided by JR Hokkaido. Ticket includesa round trip from Kutchan to Otaru and a day pass for Chuo bus.Costs are ¥3120 (adult) and ¥1550 (6- 12yrs). One adult can bring two kids(under 6) for free. Call JR Kutchan Station on 0136-22-1310.Hanazono Adventure Park has loads of activities for both big and small kids toenjoy daily, from 9am to 4pm. Drive your own snowmobile on a summertimegolf course for ¥1100 yen, drive for 8km on the Rabbit Course for ¥6400.Covered magic carpets offer lift access for snow play fun on sleds andsnow-tubes. Tubes are ¥1800 per hour, or use the premium sled, completewith brakes and steering mechanism, for ¥1500. Snow-rafting whisks youaround a specially designed course of berms for ¥1500 for adults and ¥1000 forchildren. And enjoy a guided tour and strap on some snowshoes. An hour for¥3000 for adults and ¥2500 for kids. More info at www.skihanazono.comLearn the skill of making your very own snowman. Another great activity foryoung and old, where you can take home a great photo of you, the family andFrosty the Snowman. Costs ¥1800. Minimum two people, and minimum age isfour years. For more information call 0136-23-1688, or check www.noasc.com.Ever wanted to learn how to make a snow cave? NOASC will show you how. It’sjust like playing in the sand pit and is a lot of fun for not only the kids, but alsothe rest of the family. Have a photo taken with your snow cave at the end. Snowcaving costs ¥4000. Minimum two people, and minimum age is four. For moreinformation call 0136-23-1688, or check www.noasc.com.RelaxationSNOWSHOEING... SAS guide Binodwith Yasmin on frozen Half Moon Lakeoff-mountain activities T featureFun for the young onesKids Land Annupuri offerstobogganing and tubing for the littleones between 9.30am and 4pm. Rentalfee: Tobogganing is ¥300, and tubing is¥500 per hour.For more information call 0136-58-2080, or check www.cks.chuo-bus.co.jp/annupuri.Alpen Kids Park has tobogganing andtubing all day for free from 11am and5pm. There is also a zoo with penguins rabbits and llamas, open from10.30am until 5pm. Cost is ¥500.For more information call the Alpen on 0136-22-1105, or check www.grandhirafu.jp/summer/hotels/alpen.Niseko Kids at Niseko Village has tobogganing and tubing for free from8.30am to 4.30pm. Call 0136-44-2211.NOASC’s Kids’s Snow Adventures program is specifically designed for the littleones aged four to 12 years. Experienced instructors ensure children enjoythemselves with a variety of snow activities on these half and full-day programs.Prices are ¥5000 (half-day) and ¥11,000 (full-day, including lunch). For moreinformation call 0136-23-1688, or check www.noasc.com.ClassesOne of the great things about visiting aforeign country is communicating withthe locals in their own language. Learnbasic Japanese in the Samuari Bar inNiseko’s Yurt Village on Shirakaba-ZakaStreet (Middle Village, across the roadfrom Seicomart). Local bi-lingual ‘tdes’,who writes Powderlife’s ‘Japanese forPowder People’ column and broadcaststhe popular The Daily English Show, takes the classes, teaching useful words andphrases for English-speaking tourists. Held Sundays, 4pm-5pm. Cost: ¥1000(includes one drink). For more information visit www.thedailyenglishshow.com/nisekojapanese.For an experience you can take home with you there is leather making atFanFun. For 20 minutes each, you can make a bracelet (¥1575), a dog collar(¥2625), or a cell phone charm (¥1575). Open between 10am-5pm. Reservationrequired. For more information, call 050-7551-2688, email fan-funnieseko@cpost.plala.or.jp, or visit http://www.17.plala.or.jp/fan-fun/top.html.Niseko Gourmet offers Japanese cooking workshops on held in winter onMonday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am-2pm. www.niseko-gourmet.com.CANDLE-LIT CANAL... Otaru's popular annual snow festival.CHILL OUT...Hilton Niseko Village's onsen.Photo: Niseko Photography.Niseko is home to many great onsens (thermal baths) – a Japanese traditionand the perfect relaxing answer to a long day up the mountain. Some of Niseko’sbest onsens are: Hotel Ikoinomura in the Northern Resort Annupuri Hotel; NisekoGrand Hotel; Kira no Yu in Niseko Town; Hotel Kanronomori near the base ofMoiwa resort; Alpen Hotel in Upper Hirafu Village; Hirafu Tei Prince Hotel on themain road to Grand Hirafu; Yugokoro Tei in Annupuri; Niseko Village (Higashiyama)Prince Hotel; Koikawa Onsen; Goshiki Onsen around the back of Mt Annupuri; andYuki Chichibu behind Mt Annupuri. Onsens vary in price, but average around ¥600per person.What better way to relax on your day off and rub out the aches and pains from a day onthe mountain than enjoying a massage? Niseko Massage and Java Massage are twoof the best in Hirafu. For a full spa treatment; the Niseko Village’s Wakka Spa has agreat range of full body treatments. See the advertisement on page 23 for Powderlifespecials.For those who crave more exercise than skiing or boarding can provide, the AlpenHotel, located by the Ace Pair Lift #1, houses the only 25m swimming pool in town.Also in the pool area are dry and wet saunas, spas and an onsen upstairs. Access to thepool costs ¥600, and pool/onsen passes are also available for ¥1000.Niseko’s Saison Club has a wide variety of indoor activities available. Theseinclude cooking classes: ice cream, jam and sausage. There are also silver, glassand hemp accessory classes. Durations, costs and availability vary, so for moreinformation call 0136-44-3380, or check www.nisekolodge.saison-club.com.Hokkaido Lion Adventure does Nature Craft (making photo frames, chopsticks,flutes, pencils and name plates with material from the woods). Costs ¥2000 perperson for two hours, minimum age six years. For more call 0136-43-2882, orcheck www.hokkaido.lion-adventure.com.FUN FOR ALL AGES... Cooking up a storm at Saison Club.28 powderlife ISSUE 15 february 21 – march 6 2009 www.powderlife.com www.powderlife.com february 21 – march 6 2009 ISSUE 15 powderlife 29