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(map from http://www.snowjapan.com)
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Being the most northern island of Japan, Hokkaido hosts 3 major ski domains : Niseko, Furano, Rusutsu.
My friend Fabrice and I enjoyed 8 days ski in Niseko from 2 to 9 December 2007.
It took us 3h40 by (direct) flight from Shanghai to Sapporo New Chitose airport, then 4 hours bus from the airport to Niseko ski resort.
Here, we're happy to share our best photos with you !
All photos taken by Fabrice Suffet and Greg Autef. |
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Niseko is Hokkaido's biggest ski area and considered the best with
57 ski runs,
47 km of groomed
slopes and
38 lifts.
Located
200 km by bus south west
from Sapporo, Niseko is contains
3 ski areas :
Grand Hirafu
(the largest, where we stayed), Annupuri
and
Higashiyama
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Niseko Hirafu main village, viewed from the ski trails on the ski domain that faces
the Yotei Volcano we see on this photo. This vocano is said to have erupted for the last time around
3550 years BC and peaks up today to 1895 m high.
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2nd December 2007 : Happy faces for Fabrice and Greg's first morning on the first ski lift !
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Very clear weather today.... among heavy snow storms that leave 30 cm snow everyday !
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...
going uphills ! it takes 3 cable cars taken one after
another from Niseko Village to reach the mountain's
peak. Because of our proximity to Siberia, the weather in Hokkaido is cold, much colder than other skiing areas
around the world, despite the low altitude (Niseko village is only at sea level ! ... and the Annupuri peak at 1308 m only). The temperature on the mountain will rarely get above -10°C during the day and with wind chill factor, it can
get as low as -20°C.
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Some ski trails have really some funny names here !
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Overview of Annupuri valley view from the Cable car. Taken 500m above the ground level.
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Another view on Yotei volcano from the Gondola on Annupuri's domain.
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"Kuchan" village, 5 km away from Niseko resort
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Traditional architecture in Niseko Hirafu village
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Why do we know we were skiing in Japan? |
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Awesome sushis & sashimis in Hokkaido !
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... Tuna & salmon sashimis for the braves ! |
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A typical restaurant entrance in the village |
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We found the best Sushis restaurant in the "Niseko Alpen". If you go, dont miss it !! |
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... and now night Ski in Niseko Hirafu !
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Night ski from 7 to 9 pm : feels like we're on the moon by -10 to -12 deg Celsius !
Niseko has reputedly the largest night ski lit area in Japan. The locals don't venture out much at night but this is maybe the best time to go riding. The mountain takes on a whole different look and its an amazing experience to ski or snowboard in the moonlight & spotlights. Almost the entire mountain is lit up at night and the light even penetrates through the trees making some challenging ski.
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The "Kamakura" apartment we rented for a week
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Kamakura is a newbuilt accomodation splitted in 4 main apartments equiped with all modern facilities in a mix of western and japanese style. More information here (by skijapan.com) |
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Was great and for sure we'll be back !! Next trip again in Niseko forecasted ... in March 2008 !!
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During this trip, was skiing the K2 "Apache Recon".
A great "expert" ski of the same feeling than to the great Rossignol Bandit B2. |
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Hope you enjoyed
&
thank you for your visit !!
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