The construction team appear to be winning the battle against the snow (this week) and preparations for a influx of a mass of men and heavy machinery are being finalised. For several weeks (when the snow was still winning the battle) most of the work was concentrated in the basement level, away from the elements. Now with the sun returning to Niseko more frequently we will see The Vale Niseko begin to reach of the sky!

With the winter construction break behind us, builder Nakayama Gumi are on back site.

The snow is being cleared for the main driveway, prep works for the 2nd above ground level and exterior base works for the upper level scaffolding.

The site was hidden during winter due to the Niseko snowfalls. The already completed 1300sqm of construction (basement and level 1)  houses the lobby, onsen, pool, restaurant and cafe.

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…