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.

No we don’t mean the Australians up here…Niseko has a zoo.

Perfect for families and non-skiers on holidays, the zoo is located just up the road from The Vale Niseko property in upper Hirafu village.

The range of animals is suitably international - shetland ponies, ostriches, penguins, ducks and pigs to name a few.

Plenty of skiing tourists have been startled by a pig being walked on the family ski run…not only being a strange thing to ski past, the pig is an absolute hit with skiing kids.

The magic of a Niseko winter never fails to please.

Amongst the downturn, the Niseko property and Niseko real estate market is still moving, January had some very deep snow days, Hanazono lifts are faster than ever and now the sun is shining - for the second day in a row.

Right now we have a little influx of pros in town. There have been plenty of video and still camera’s on the mountain the past week - we unfortunately saw a girl injure herself on Strawberry Field’s attempting a corked something last weekend. A bit of Kodak courage never goes astray.

As March starts today there is plenty of winter left with some hot deals going on around town for accommodation. Good opportunity to make a last minute ski/board trip.

The peak an hour ago. 11:20am and you can see just a handfull of fresh turns at the top.

Niseko’s powder snow just keeps on falling. With fresh tracks had all week, the good snowfall looks set to continue well into next week.

There has been super fresh lines in Strawberry Fields every morning and we are seeing a lot of late starts at work this week.

Images from around the village early this morning:

Views from The Vale Niseko showcase the very best Niseko has to offer.

Each apartment has been designed around a particular aspect, rather the norm of keeping a square building for ease of construction. The angled footprint enables a unique Niseko view from every room in this development.

Ultimate views up the ski run have been acheived by pushing the building out almost on the run. Watch your friends come in from a day in the Niseko powder or your family learning to ski from your own living room.

With all day winter sun, the apartments watch the sun rises over Mount Yotei and sunsets over the Japanese birch tree ridge. They also feature views of the alpen glow across the ski mountain and a front seat view of the best night skiing in the world.

The Vale Niseko is perched at end end of the ski run, and at the end of the building line allowing only one neighbour. This creates spectacular undulating views over Mount Yotei (Mount Fuji’s younger sibling), distant alpine mountain ranges and far off Japanese townships.

Actual views:

Actual Shot of the Ski Run & Lift, 10m from The Vale's Ski Side Entry

Actual Shot from Level 4, Overlooking the Ski Run & Lift

Actual Shot Looking Back Towards Mount Yotei: Yellow Building is the Old Snow Universe Hotel that was Demolished for The Vale Niseko

Actual Shot of the Japanese Birch Trees On The Edge of the National Park

Actual Shot of Mount Yotei from Level 4

Actual Shot of Ski Village from Level 4