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The village of Hirafu looks set to continue it’s transformation into a world class ski resort with the announcement of a brand new 8-person, high speed gondola, replacing the current Hirafu gondola! The new gondola will not only cut the trip down down to under 5 minutes, but also feature a brand new base station including a restaurant and kids centre!

This, along with the planned Hirafu main street upgrades and beautiful new developments such as ‘Shiki’, shows that the enthusiasim which you, the international ski community, have shown for Niseko is bringing plenty of exciting changes for the area!

Talk to our Japan ski specialists today, phone 0800 11 22 99 or email info@skitraveller.co.nz

One week sale finishes Saturday 07 May 2011. Air New Zealand have announced up to a 30% saving on Global Saver Economy and Global Saver Premium Economy published airfares to selected destinations. Ski Traveller must book and ticket these Snow Melter airfares by Saturday 07 May 2011.  Special conditions apply.

ex Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch
* Fly to Los Angeles or San Francisco - save 30%
* Fly to Vancouver, Tokyo or Osaka - save 25%

One week Snow Melter Airfare Sale, phone our consultants on 0800 11 22 99 or email info@skitraveller.co.nz

The Ski Traveller office will be open on Saturday 07 May from 10am to 5pm, so you can take advantage of this Snow Melter Airfare Sale.

Niseko is world famous for powder. One of the best ways to learn to ski powder or improve your skills is with a local ski guide. Our powder expert, Hiro, is available for ski guiding and will give you tips to improve your technique in powder. Contact Sarah at Ski Traveller, our Japan ski specialist about booking a private ski guide for the 2011 - 2012 ski season.

Email Sarah on sarahh@skitraveller.co.nz  or phone 0800 11 22 99

Also talk to Sarah about our current snow melter accommodation deals that are now available.

HT Holidays goes wireless from this winter - HT Holidays is completing the installation of wireless routers in all but 4 of there properties. The service which will be fully operational by the end of November, means that HT Holidays will be the first ski property management company to offer FREE Wireless internet in all Niseko properties. They will also have wireless connectivety available in all public spaces and internet access points in various buildings this winter. Talk to the team at Ski Traveller about your Japan ski holiday today.

Book an HT ski property in Niseko with Ski Traveller and receive this amazing bonus offer - FREE on Mountain Valet Service for ski and boot storage. Skiers come off the mountain and leave their ski wear overnight with the HT Ski Valet and collect equipment the next morning.  HT are the only company that offers this exclusive on mountain service, for the entire 2010/11 winter season. For more information about ski deals in Niseko, contact our specialists.

Fyve is an independent, Australian owned snowboard company, who live for the passion of the sport, not the lure of the dollar.  In 2011, they have the 10 and 20 day Fyve Snowboard Progressions Camp in Hakuba, Japan. Start date 30 January 2011.

The camp includes:  Meet and greet at Narita Airport. Return coach transfers from Tokyo Narita Airport to Hakuba*. 2 nights accommodation at The Ace Inn in Tokyo.  7 or 17 nights accommodation at The Lab in Hakuba. 1 hour per day Snowboarding Trick Tips by our FYVE team riders. Pipe/Rails/Kickers natural kicker lines.  Karaoke night and Steak & Beer night ¥1500. Hot breakfast for each morning of your stay in Hakuba. 6 or 14 day multi resort lift passes (depending on camp length you choose). Tour info pack including Tokyo sightseeing maps and recommendations. Discount vouchers and promotional products. Liquid Tours host available for 1 hour each night at The Lab ski lodge in Hakuba.

The Lab is a large ski lodge and is located within 500m of the Happo-One lifts. The lodge includes a big communal living area, fully stocked and serviced bar,  restaurant, Japanese style onsen bathing, a large sundeck, and a separate TV and games room (complete with Nintendo Wii).  All this is located over three levels plus a basement. The rooms are all western style, and range from 2-8 person share. The Lab is perfect for singles and groups of skiers and boarders looking for a good time both on and off the mountains.

For more information, click here>>

The IPPY awards are the World’s largest international and regional book awards competition and this year the 14th annual competition saw 3,890 entries.  Snow Search Japan won the GOLD medal in the Travel Guidebook Category.

Snow-search Japan is the first book in a new series which explore countries in more depth than ever before. It also heralds a change in direction for WSG Media, from previously covering just snowboarding to including skiing as well.

The book has been designed for travellers who are visiting Japan for snow sports but want to experience many of the cultural delights Japan offers whilst there. It covers the major cities such as Tokyo that you’ll fly into and the ski towns where you’ll be based whilst there. Amongst other topics, travel, food, language, and working in Japan are all covered in detail, plus over 70 resorts have been comprehensively reviewed and broken down into easy-to-read sections and rated according to your style of skiing/riding.

Want to buy a copy?
http://www.worldsnowboardguide.com/shop/

Flights to Japan for late 2010-early 2011 are selling fast!  Ski Traveller has negotiated special ’ski package airfares’ that allow you to book your flights now and pay 60 days prior to departure.  Ring Sarah 09 520 8334 or Lianne 09 520 8335 about booking your flights to Japan.  Do not delay or you will miss out.

If you are even thinking of travelling to Niseko, Japan in January 2011….please contact Sarah now.  Accommodation is selling out!  Particularly: 29 Jan - 6 Feb 2011 (Chinese New Year).
Niseko had 17+ metres of snow last season and everyone wants to experience the infamous powder.  Don’t miss out.
email: sarahh@skitraveller.co.nz

Hi Lianne,
The skiing is excellent at Nozawa with heaps of runs for all abilities – mainly gondolas and covered chairs. It was 3 minutes walk from the hotel to a free travellator which takes you 500m up to the ski area (maybe 20-30 different runs) and hire shop (where you can store your gear), reasonably priced restaurants (~$15 for hot lunch and coffee), bars, cafes etc. There is even a ski jump ramp which makes you realise how courageous those people are in the Olympics!Cheers Bruce