Latest articles about Hokkaido

Niseko Village Unveils 86-Cabin Gondola With Glass Floors and VIP Dining Cabins

Michael Fulton

June 10, 2026

Niseko Village Unveils 86-Cabin Gondola With Glass Floors and VIP Dining Cabins

Niseko Village has announced plans for the Morino Gondola - an 86-cabin lift set to open in December 2026, replacing the resort's ageing two-seat Mori-no chairlift that's been running since the 1980s. The new gondola includes four VIP cabins with dining tables and two glass-floor cabins for a full view of the terrain below. Capacity will double, and a second phase extending to the 970m summit is planned for December 2027. Niseko Village is on the Ikon Pass.

Hokkaido

Sapporo

Japan

Niseko

Michael Fulton

May 26, 2026

United Airlines Adds Nonstop Flights from Chicago and San Francisco to Japan's Key Ski Gateways

United Airlines has announced two new nonstop routes to Japan launching this northern autumn. A year-round Chicago to Tokyo Narita service starts October 24, with a seasonal San Francisco to Sapporo's New Chitose Airport route running December to March three times a week. Both airports serve as primary gateways to Japan's most popular ski regions - Nagano and Hokkaido respectively.

Hokkaido

Niseko

Hakuba

Michael Fulton

February 4, 2026

Melbourne Skier Dies in Niseko Backcountry Incident

A 27-year-old Melbourne man has died while skiing unpatrolled backcountry terrain in Niseko, Japan. Michael "Micky" Hurst fell behind his group of seven skiers and was found unconscious on Monday afternoon. He died from a suspected heart attack after being transported to hospital. The incident marks the second fatal accident involving an Australian skier in Japan within days, following the death of Queensland's Brooke Day in a chairlift accident at Hakuba Valley.

Hokkaido

Japan

Niseko

Hakuba

Furano Ski Resort Review: Japan's Best Value Powder Experience in Hokkaido

Michael Fulton

September 2, 2025

Furano Ski Resort Review: Japan's Best Value Powder Experience in Hokkaido

An Australian skier's honest assessment of Furano Ski Resort in Hokkaido, Japan. Discover why this resort offers exceptional powder skiing at half the price of Australian mountains, with 28 runs across two zones, impressive terrain variety, and authentic Japanese mountain culture that delivers on Japan's legendary skiing reputation.

Hokkaido

Japan

Furano

How Much Did It Snow In Niseko This Season? | Niseko United

Michael Fulton

April 29, 2025

Niseko's Record-Breaking 2024-25 Snow Season

Niseko United experienced an exceptional 2024-25 season with 1283cm of total snowfall. December saw the highest accumulation in 20 years, while February brought the season's heaviest 24-hour snowfall.

Hokkaido

Japan

Niseko

Michael Fulton

January 3, 2025

Record-Breaking Snowfall Hits Hokkaido: Niseko Reports Best December in 68 Years

Japanese ski resorts are celebrating an extraordinary start to the 2024-25 season, with Hokkaido's premier destinations recording their deepest December snow depths since 1956. Niseko United leads the charge with over 3 meters of fresh powder, while neighbouring resorts report exceptional conditions across the board.

Rusutsu

Hokkaido

Niseko

Furano

Michael Fulton

October 20, 2024

Early Snowfall in Sapporo Signals Start of Japan's Ski Season

Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, experienced its first snowfall of the season on October 20, eight days earlier than average. This early snow has increased anticipation among skiers and riders, with Japanese ski resorts preparing for a promising winter. From Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti's artificial snow preparations to the scheduled openings of major Hokkaido resorts, Japan's ski season is off to an encouraging start.

Hokkaido

Japan