A storm is currently in progress in Niseko - not so good for skiing today but fantastic for when the top of the mountain opens again.

With knee to waist deep turns on Christmas morning, this current dump is only adding to the already fantastic powder skiing and boarding conditions. Outlook for the next seven days sees a continuation of heavy snow falls.

Images are average today - no light and dumping snow make it very difficult.

Niseko is now in high season with the village’s best properties all booked out. There is a noticeable increase in greater Asia visitors this year - HK, Singapore, Malaysia and even Thailand.

An evening on the mountain is a must do for any skier / boarder looking to expand their horizons. Niseko’s night skiing would have to be the best in the world - a huge area spread across three resorts and when the time is right; snow falling, moon’s out, no wind, bottomless knee-to-waist deep turns…it truly is an amazing experience.

Top this off with the option of skiing for 12 hrs straight…lifts are open form 8:30 to 8:30…

Stay tuned for on-snow images when the next dump arrives (due this week).

Niseko property market;
With construction stopping for the year on Dec 28th, the builders are gearing the site up for the winter break (Niseko construction sites stop during winter due to tourism and community impact).

The Vale this year has been as perfect as a construction site can be.  The builder, Nagayama Gumi, have pushed their programme ahead of time and worked closely with the Architect, Nikken Sekkei, regarding the high quality detail of this particular site - the bathrooms, lobby and onsen areas bespoke construction details have never before been built in Japan - the high quality finishes is an ongoing challenge for the Vale.

The final concrete pour for 2008 occurred last week with the entry level slab now complete; this means the outdoor heated pool has taken shape, the onsens structure is complete and the apres terrace is formed - it is fantastic to now see the amazing view from the apres terrace - straight up the ski run…you can actually ski onto the terrace and outdoor heated pool areas.

Niseko property and Niseko real estate sales are in full swing now with the start of high season.

It’s here…the super light powder snow that made Niseko famous worldwide.

Niseko cars and Niseko properties this morning have a layer of super fine powder - can only imagine what the mountain will be like today…three days of constant snowfall with this extra light layer on top.

Images from around Hirafu village over the weekend.

Niseko Japan;
A slight divergence from our typical updates. We though we would let you in on an Niseko alternative lifestyle - the one away from Niseko’s famed powder.

Aside from Burton’s new snowboard without bindings, little does anyone know that within a 40min drive of Niseko you can get good surf…year round.

Winter is the best time for waves. On first impression it is not for the faint hearted - snow on ground, frozen toes, tight muscles…however, if you have the right equipment it can be a comfortable and rewarding session.

Niseko has a lot of lifestyle depth - a lot to offer other than its renown winter powder snow glory. Living here year round cannot be compared to anywhere else in the world. The choice of sports in green seasons is on the increase with everything from Hokkaido triathlons (I am sure we will see a Niseko triathlon in the not too distant future), surfing, alpine mountain bike rides, swimming in warm deep green clear volcanic lakes or even just going for a walk to deeply experience each of Niseko’s distinctly different seasons.

We now see the original purchasers of Niseko property and Niseko real estate whom used to solely visit for the snow, now visiting in the non-winter months to experience to other side of Niseko - a testament to Niseko’s longevity when we see people investing not just for the financial gains but also for the infinite Niseko lifestyle return.

The weekends session - not many places in the world can you ski and snowboard insane knee-to-waste deep powder then surf 2 to 3 ft right handers…the same day…