Niseko’s new ski-in ski-out property The Vale Niseko is less than 2 weeks from its grand opening. NISADE Chairman Jonathan Martin takes you inside the designer lobby and bar area to show you present the final project update on the construction of our flagship Niseko development.

The super efficient Niseko powder provided a fantastic open day for this years season kick off.

Niseko properties have been blanketed the past week with around two feet of powder - topped off with sunshine and Yen2000 lifts tickets, many a local were grinning ear to ear.

Niseko accommodation in peak season is looking very close to full in many parts of the village. This season looks set to be a blinder with at least three new bars opening in the top village, two new apartment complexes and a host of new guest services.

The Vale Niseko’s shape is curved towards Mt Yotei, to maximise the stunning views from all units.

The south eastern wing of the The Vale Niseko (foreground) will recieve fantastic winter sunshine and south western wing will enjoy stunning views directly up the ski run.

The View from The Vale Niseko Apt 301’s living room window in summer.

The same view from Apt 301’s living room during the long glorious winter season.

(Extract from “Niseko Alpine Review - December 08″ - to subscribe for your latest edition click here)

To Buy or not to buy… that is the question right now. Investors today have an array of investment choices like never before. Opportunities abound for those with cash and as the global slow-down imbeds further into the hip pockets, assets will continue to be released at discount…so much choice!

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Lifestyle
Niseko delivers on that front and will continue to grow in stature and offerings.  Clear air, famous onsen, and the exquisite Japanese cuisine underwrite the overall offering.

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Limited Supply
The market is small, despite the rapid increase in building; volume is miniscule in relative terms. Within the market there is supply limitation on product, for example despite being the largest development in Niseko, there is only 49 ski-in ski-out apartments in The Vale Niseko. With most sold, investors seeking prime Niseko locations do not have a lot of choice.
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Long Term: the fundamental
Niseko’s long term fundamentals remain unchanged, it’s still consistently delivers the best powder snow in the world. The mountain terrain is suited to families of mixed abilities; friendly to first time skiers yet challenging year after year even to the pros. Also, the Japanese cultural experience will always be a fascinating one.
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Niseko “brand” Establishing Globally
We are seeing cars (Mazda MX-5), shoes (Lacoste) and international tourists (Guardian media in UK rating Niseko as top 10 destination) using and recognising Niseko as a brand. Familiarity will drive demand; word of mouth is still the key driver. Families will continue to travel in larger groups enjoying familiarity and social catch ups.
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Scale of On-Ground Operators
Unless another ski resort attracts the scale and commitment of on-ground operators and developers such as Hokkaido Tracks, West Canada Homes and other early pioneers of development they will never achieve the market penetration. Remember these pioneers have been working hard here in Niseko for the last 6 years; they are not overnight successes.

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Niseko is still in its Infancy
Small market with massive market catchment, it will mature into an international destination for Asia. With literally billions of people so close, and a surging class of new wealth in East Asia, the market has massive potential.
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Dynamic Ski Product Offerings
Fundamentals of the ski hill can only improve as consistent skier numbers underwrite investment. This season the variety of new offerings from the ski hill operators are immense, the kid’s terrains at both Higashiyama and Hanazono are amazing, truly world class.
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Institutional Grade Investment
Citigroup and Pacific Century Developments are already here. Not one, but two serious investors. Add to that AP Land from Malaysia, Capella, its clear institutional investment is continuing to increase.
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Summer Holidays
An almost non-existent market into which Niseko is primed to grow. Whilst other places such as Furano tout such strong summer visitation numbers the reality is most are day trippers or over nighters.
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Destination Hub & Asian Location
Niseko is positioning itself as a destination hub aiming to drive the average stay from 1 - 2 nights to 3 - 5 nights.
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Cash
Despite the massive rout globally there is still significant wealth, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. That weight of money is still investing, slower to commit but still investing. Sales in the Vale are still proceeding as buyers look to core fundamentals, location, quality and functionality.
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Japanese Hot Springs & Culinary Delights

While Whistler & Colorado still enjoy many Asian visitors, those who come to Niseko often say they come for the powder, and come back again and again for the food and the onsen spas. Nisekos quality dining and retail options may in time become as big of an attraction as the powder snow.  If you have ever soaked in an outdoor volcanic onsen spa while snowflakes fall on your head, then I need not explain this competitive advantage Niseko holds over its resort destination rivals.

(Extract from “Niseko Alpine Review - December 08″ - to subscribe for your latest edition click here)

Whilst recently in Hong Kong I could not help but marvel at the concentration of aspiration retailing, I have never seen so many branded hand-bag shops in the one city. Perhaps I only noticed as I, like so many, am trying to foresee the long term impact of the financial crisis. I have a strong belief that the end result for many will be a withdrawal back to the very core fundamentals of health and family.

It is my belief that globally we as individuals will be torn backwards and those great many aspiration driven wants, not needs, will be passed by. Do we really need that new watch, another handbag or the latest phone?

However, what will not be compromised will be the family holiday, the chance to spend time together. Ask any adult/child and the single most dominant memory will be family holidays and those that are the strongest will be destinations to which the family returned year after year to the point where it almost became a second home. My memory was a beach paradise, Forster on the east coast of Australia. As kids the excitement and anticipation grew all year as we would leave the farm and spend two glorious weeks getting up to mischief in this seaside town. That later transposed to winter holidays in Thredbo.

To that end, I believe Niseko will be a long term beneficiary, we offer a compelling year round destination in one of the last few remaining safe havens globally. Recent tragedy in Mumbai, unfortunately, brings that home to roost on an even higher scale. With two young children it’s refreshing and invigorating to be somewhere where they can roam freely without the unspeakable worries inherent elsewhere. A child can easily holiday in winter outside of Mum and Dad’s controls, the village is safe and secure, and the kids will cherish the freedom and responsibility.

Interestingly the demographics of our winter guests warrant investigation. Surprising, the market is dominated by non-skiing or new-to-skiing guests. These people have either skied as a youth then focused on careers and family or they have never skied before. Niseko for these people is an amazing package; the terrain coupled with the phenomenal snow quality allows a rapid transgression to the ultimate winter experience, skiing powder snow. Every year we have new guests coming to experience that one facet of a ski holiday.

That said, just being here in the falling snow captures the mystique and solitude we associate with a white Christmas, it’s an almost sublime experience of tranquility and beauty.

Niseko is offering ever increasing options to the non-skiers with Japanese cooking classes, pottery, calligraphy, glass blowing not to mention snow mobiling, winter hiking and the ubiquitous onsens. As a family package it rates on every front.

The ocean focused seaside resorts that abound for example throughout Thailand, Bali, Seychelles and Vietnam will suffer as the supply options are 100’s of times of what is on offer in ski destinations in Asia. With too many options you almost lose the identity of the area.

Niseko is in its infancy, it will grow to be all things to all people. Come in winter for all the winter activities, come in summer and the offerings are various, pack the kids off rafting, play golf, enjoy a thrilling day out at the Rusutsu theme park, the wealth of lifestyle choices here just keeps growing stronger.