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.

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

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.