Niseko is perhaps the most famous ski resort town in Japan, known for tons of light powder snow, its spectacular back country, and a large amount of foreigners, especially Australians who are responsible for popularizing the resort with foreign travelers in recent years.
The Niseko resorts have plenty of long, wide runs in addition to backcountry skiing. The backcountry can be accessed from special gates at the resorts, through resort tours and helicopter tours. There is also backcountry on Yotei Mountain, a beautiful nearly perfect volcanic cone, which can be seen from Niseko.
Niseko's resorts are all located on Niseko-Annupuri Mountain. The three major ones are Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village (formerly known as Higashiyama) and Annupuri. They are connected with each other at the top of the mountain, while shuttle buses connect them at the base. The Niseko All Mountain Pass gives access to all three resorts for 5200 yen per day.
Grand Hirafu is the largest of the resorts and the only one with a sizable town at its base. Hirafu Town has many hotels, holiday homes and an interesting range of restaurants and bars with an active nightlife. An evening stroll about town will take you past many places packed with foreigners.
Hirafu Town is very foreigner friendly, and it is almost like visiting a foreign country within Japan. You will find that many restaurants offer English menus by default and local convenience stores offer a wider range of imported foods than elsewhere in Japan.
Niseko Village and Annupuri resorts, while lacking towns, have hotels and homes at their bases. The actual town center of Niseko is located further from the resorts and is not a convenient base for skiing.
