WORLD CLASS

Niseko Grand Hirafu is the biggest resort in Niseko, with the lion’s share of terrain on the 1,308-metre Mount Niseko Annupuri. It has 30 diverse courses, including 9 of more than a kilometre, and a 5.6-kilometre long cruiser. Tree runs, fresh powder and panoramic views all feature on a grand scale, over 940 metres of vertical. Niseko Grand Hirafu’s snowboard park and moguls also continue to satisfy, and resort provides snowmobiling and snow rafting as additional options to enjoy the powder.

Visit the Base (Dot base) Ski Center at Niseko Grand Hirafu for the Niseko Grand Hirafu Snow School, which coaches riders of all levels and does powder guiding and hiking trips, deep into the beautiful natural reserve area around the resort.

The potential of the powder snow at Niseko Grand Hirafu was first uncovered in 1912, when Austro-Hungarian army Major Theodor von Lerch visited the slopes of nearby Mount Yōtei. He had just introduced skiing to Japan in 1911, and 50 years later, in 1961, what was then Japan’s longest chairlift was built at Hirafu for the All-Japan Alpine Ski Championships.

At the start of the 2016-2017 season, Niseko Grand Hirafu unveiled a newly upgraded King No. 3 Lift, which has been expanded from a triple to a quad, and gets even more riders to its summit with a faster, more comfortable ride. The lift’s Sanroku station has also been extended downhill for streamlined access from the Hirafu Gondola station.

www.grand-hirafu.jp/winter/en/
Yamada 204, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun
2+81-136-22-0109
Days 8:30-20:30, Nights 18:30-20:30 (Limited time only)
Travelling times to Grand Hirafu New Chitose Airport: 2 hrs (car), Sapporo: 2 hrs 30 min (train)