Niseko, Japan; Hong Kong’s restaurant group Castelo is making their way to Asia’s most popular ski playground.

Castelo, owners of  restaurants Wagyu, Jaspers and a host of other notable eateries in Hong Kong, Vietnam and Australia, will be opening a Restaurant complex at the base of the family ski run in the new iconic ‘Vale Niseko’ this coming December.

Tapping into the emerging Japanese ski market, Castelo has sighted an opening in supplying skiers true alpine service and cuisine including continental breakfasts, apartment room service and an unmatchable après ski venue. With restaurants fully booked in high season, Niseko guests are welcoming the new venture.

The restaurant includes an après ski terrace on the ski run, located a snowballs throw to the ski lift. Seen from the top of the mountain and facing west, it captures the afternoon sunsets over the Japanese birch forest, mountain glow over the ski hill and the evening colors of a Mount Yotei sunset – the perfect setting for a Japanese alpine afternoon.

‘The Vale Niseko’ is Asia’s best featured alpine property. Hosting a complete thermal experience tapping  700m deep into volcanic waters with Japanese onsens (natural indoor/outdoor bath), personal onsens on apartment balconies overlooking the ski run and saunas. A mix of 47 apartments and hotel style rooms, it is designed by an award winning international team including Hokkaido Nikken Sekkei as Project Architects (arm of Nikken Sekkei, voted world’s #1 by BD Architecture Magazine 2007), Nikken Space as Interior Designers and Yamagiwa lighting/lux designers.

Niseko, Japan: Images after the Niseko +80cm dump this week.

Although Niseko property and Niseko real estate have been somewhat touched by the world’s downturn, the snow just keeps falling in Niseko. With a huge base over 3m and the best start to January in years, ski revellers got the typical Niseko waist deep turns this week.

With Chinese New Year fast approaching on January 26th, the village is already packed to the brim with people from all over the world (the previous Australian visitor influx has been overshadowed by strong growth in greater Asia visitors). A fantastic time to be in  Niseko right now with blue sunny days and 3ft of fresh pow…

Niseko, Japan: As North America gets blasted by cold fronts, Niseko is pounded by heavy snowfalls.

With the mountain already having a 3m base, this dump tops off the best start to the Niseko season in years.

Niseko non-ski activities are growing each season with Nisade having just announced Niseko’s very first ice rink at The Vale Niseko.

Located at the base of the family ski run, and only a minutes walk from the ski village centre of Hirafu, the ice rink has a fantastic outlook towards Mount Yotei (a mountain known as Mt Fuji’s younger sibling) and is perfect for families and guests looking for a skiing alternative.

The Vale’s list of ever growing features includes Niseko’s first outdoor heated pool (looking up the ski run), indoor / outdoor onsens (natural thermal Japanese baths), apres ski terrace, outdoor firepits just off the ski run and in-house restaurants.

Niseko…this season has been nothing but spectactular - nudging a 3m base already with the past 4 weeks being a powder day everyday.

With reports stating Niseko has had the most snow of any world ski resort right now, it is never too late to book your ski trip. Niseko’s high season runs into February.

Here’s what the rest of the world is saying about Niseko;

“Niseko is in the top 10 of snowboarding destinations… ”
Chris Moran (former British Snowboard Champion) The Guardian (UK), November 2008

“Niseko is the second snowiest ski resort in the world”
Forbes Traveler, 2007

“The best night skiing in the world”
Tom Collinson, The Guardian (UK), February 2008

“Japan’s powdery slopes emerge as hot new international ski magnet” 
Miami Herald, Nov 11^th, 2007

“The best off-piste skiing in the world”
The Guardian (UK), 20^th October 2007