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Niseko<br />
A Winter Sports Capital<br />
One of the big draws of Hokkaido is the winter sports and it’s<br />
considered superior to anywhere in Japan for skiing and<br />
snowboarding. Sapporo was the host of the 1972 Winter Olympics<br />
and since then the local economy has thrived on winter sports<br />
tourism.<br />
The jewel in the crown of the Hokkaido winter sports scene is the<br />
ski resort of Niseko, made up of four areas sitting at the base of the<br />
majestic Mt Yotei. Over the years Niseko has be<strong>com</strong>e increasingly<br />
popular with skiers and boarders in Japan and from abroad with it<br />
being a favoured by Australian tourists.<br />
Niseko is primarily a target for Powder ski lovers, it’s ideally located<br />
in the path of weather systems that bring in cold air in from<br />
Siberia which when <strong>com</strong>bined with the coastal location and cold<br />
temperatures results in heavy snowfall that is renowned for being<br />
incredibly dry. Many enthusiasts consider Niseko the powder<br />
capital of the world. Skiers and boarders are spoilt for choice with<br />
several fantastic runs available in varying terrains serviced by<br />
good quality ski lifts.<br />
Hiking is another popular activity especially<br />
in the summer and the hike up Mt Yotei is<br />
a rewarding one. Other popular activities<br />
include golfing, horse riding, canyoning,<br />
mountain biking, ziplining, and even a<br />
Samurai workshop.<br />
If all the activities get too tiresome then<br />
you’re in luck because Niseko boasts several<br />
hot springs, or Onsens as they’re known in<br />
Japan. Our pick is the Hilton Niseko Village,<br />
offering a luxurious experience that includes<br />
an outdoor setting amongst a serene forest,<br />
koi pond and spectacular view of Mt Yotei.<br />
As it’s a popular international travel<br />
destination Niseko offers diversity in its<br />
cuisine; Italian, French, Indonesian, Thai,<br />
Indian and Nepalese cuisine are available<br />
as well as fantastic local specialties such as<br />
sushi and teppanyaki grills.<br />
For an excellent night’s sleep and all round<br />
high quality experience look no further than<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> and <strong>Hospitality</strong> Award winner, Aspect<br />
Niseko. Please see the next page for an<br />
extensive profile.<br />
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