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Niseko Ski Holiday for NZ$ 3405 pp + airline taxes approx NZ$ 250 pp
 

• Return economy class flights ex Auckland with Japan Airlines
• Return airport transfers Sapporo to Niseko
• 7 nights in a 4 star studio unit at Niseko Apartments
• 6 days skiing
• Free comprehensive ski holiday travel insurance
• Valid for travel: 23 Jan – 12 Feb 2010

Upgrade to  10 nights with 9 days skiing for just NZ$ 855 pp
Depart Wellington or Christchurch add NZ$ 110 pp

Please call for other departure dates 0800 11 22 99 
Email: info@skitraveller.co.nzMore info on Niseko:
http://skitraveller.co.nz/japan/Niseko

Notes:

Ski holiday is based on two adults sharing accommodation.
Must book before 15 November 2009.
Currency fluctuations may result in an increase or decrease of this price until paid in full.

Wanting to experince somewhere new - have you thought about Niseko,Japan?. Highlights of my recent visit here were amazing light powder, fabulous modern accommodation, unbelievable food,warm sake that puts you in the mood for karoke, efficient lifts and welcoming hospitality.  Even at the top of the mountain the toliets had warm seats a plesant surprise for us boarders whom may spend some time sitting down.  Niseko resort is Western enough to make your first visit to a Japanese Ski resort an easy transitition but still retains enough Japanese culture to not be completely spoilt.

I had no problem with the language, I did’nt speak a word of Japanese before I went to Japan.  Even in the middle of Tokyo station there was always someone who could speak English or wanted to pratice their English.  If that failed the use of hand signals never fails and is always a source of entertainment. I have spent many seasons at ski resorts around the world.  If you are thinking about skiing Japan talk to me, there is a not to be missed 25% discount being offered for accommodation in Niseko, this makes Japan a great value ski holiday!

There is something for everyone in Niseko from ski in ski out, 5 bedroom town homes, studios in the heart of the villlage to penthouses with stunning views.  The properties are modern yet with a good blend of Japanese and Western architecture.

Learn more about Niseko: http://www.skitraveller.co.nz/japan/Niseko

Sarah - Ski Traveller

Ski Traveller is able to give you a 25% discount on your accommodation if you book before the 1st of July 09.

This is a fantastic saving.  Travel from 2 Jan - 12 Feb 2010 for best value accommodation.  Christmas & New Year accommodation is still good value and your 25% discount applies.  You must book Niseko quickly as the accommodation is in hot demand this season.

Read more on our hot deal page:
www.skitraveller.co.nz/hot_deals

Email us:
info@skitraveller.co.nz

Ring us:
0800 11 22 99 from NZ
1800 15 95 25 from Australia

Hi Sarah - Yes we are safely home and reliving our memories of a fantastic holiday. Niseko is truly a magical place.We arrived at the same time as a heavy snow fall ( the heaviest of the season according to the locals) which continued for our first day of skiing. We woke the first morning to the noise of a bulldozer clearing snow from in front of our apartment. So we were in waist deep powder on our first day. I think we were lucky with our timing as the weather warmed toward the end of our week and they haven’t had any big dumps of snow since.The locals reckon it is not the best  snow  this season so we are thankful that we got one big dump and experienced what Niseko is famous for. 

The slopes weren’t crowded during the day and practically empty at night.The accommodation was superb,great location,very comfortable,surprisingly spacious and had a good drying room and ski storage area that included equipment to tune our skis. The apartment was well serviced and the staff  were prompt in fixing the hot water which failed one morning. The apartment also had one built in NZ/Aust power plug which is better for recharging cellphones and cameras than using the local power plugs.

All our travel connections worked and were on time despite Chitose Airport being almost snow bound. I assure you watching a jumbo jet taxi to the air bridge ploughing thru snow half way up it’s wheels was a sight to remember!One point you might want to pass on to other NZers heading to Japan is NZ walkie talkies are illegal in Japan as they do not operate on the right frequency. So we couldn’t use ours which was a pain as they are a great tool for families to keep in touch when you’re spread out on the slopes. So Sarah many  thanks to you for making all the necessary arrangements.

We had a great time and the only downside is that the whole experience has ruined NZ skiing for me as skiing in Japan is so amazing. 

Walsh Family.

Air New Zealand has a ‘clearance’ sale on Airfares to Japan - below are the details.

Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch to Tokyo Return is just NZ$ 1103 + taxes approx NZ$ 80 per Adult (12 years +)
Travel Outbound Dates: Depart NZ 1 - 13 February 09 or 2 - 13 March 09
Travel Inbound Date: Return to NZ 18 Febrary 09 - 31 March 09
Purchase this airfare on/before: 31 January 09
NOTE: this is $1147 cheaper than the next best published airfare to Tokyo!

This is a fantastic airfare if you want to go and ski in Hakuba, Shiga Kogen, Nosawa Onsen or any of the mainland ski resorts. 

Ring Sarah she has just come back from Japan, Toll Free 0800 11 22 99.

Sarah here…..reporting back from two weeks in Japan, where I visited 6 amazing ski resorts.

Well if Japan has been on your list of where to ski next I can highly recommend a visit.  The only time I had spare to get to Japan was early in the season and I was amazed by the quality of snow.  There is truth to the Epic Champagne Powder on the slopes of Hokkaido.  I left Niseko Resort on the 23rd December, take a look photo of the the snow piled up on the deck of our apartment in Niseko, it was a heart wrenching moment of whether to get on the bus or not!!!

A ski holiday in Japan is the complete package, it offers the ultimate experience combining fantastic snow and culture.  Each resort is unique so why not give me a call or contact me via email so you too can have as much fun as I did in Japan.

Sarah Headifen: sarahh@skitraveller.co.nz 
or Toll Free NZ 0800 11 22 99 
Toll Free AU 1800 19 95 25 

Just reporting in from the slopes of Furano….although considered early season here on this island of Hokkaido, today have just experinced some of ehe infamous Hokkaido Powder.  I can honestly say it was UNBELIEVEABLE to ride every run in fresh powder……dry light snow…..something many of us dream about.

Our travels so far have taken us from the fabulous authentic Japanese ski village of Nosawa Onsen with 13 natural hot springs to the vast slopes of Hakuba and Shiga Kogen.  The locals were worried that snow would be late coming but coming from the Southern Hemisphere and arriving here in Japan in December it is a winter wonderland. 

Highlights of my first trip to Japan have been, so far, the powder, the karoke and meeting Steve Bradbury the gold medeal olympic speed skater from the very famous win at the 2002 winter olympics.  He has recently opened a lodge in Hakuba with his business partner josh.  Japan so far is execeeding my expectations, many of us worry that it cant offer what we perhaps have come to expect in North America, I know I did having lived in North America for 15 seasons.  Japan is a whole new experince in the sense it is not just the skiing and boarding it is also the amazing culture that adds an extra dynamic to your time spent here.

Backcountry skiing and boarding is developing fast, with many ex heli ski guides from North America now basing themselves here in Japan.  They rate Japan with some of the best powder in the world and I would tend to agree with this.  I have been a bit slow to try some of the more interesting local food options but there is always a western dish on hand should you choose to eat something a little more western, but I am pleased to say my chop stick eating skills are improving day by day.

More soon…. off to the Onsen,

Sarah Headifen - talk to me about your next Japan ski holiday!!!
Toll Free NZ 0800 11 22 99
Toll Free AU 1800 19 95 25

I wonder where Sarah and Mark are at the the moment?   We are all waiting to hear about their latest exploits in Japan.  I have heard Sarah was forced to sing in front of a room full of Japanese businessman…very brave!

Lianne at Ski Traveller - left behind in NZ
 

True to form Furano Ski Resort was blanketed in snow on the 22 nd November 2008 and ready for action.The photo attached is from opening day!

On the 9th December 2008 join me on my adventures around Hakuba,Shiga Kogen,Nozawa Onsen,Furano,Tomamu,Niseko and Rutsutu Ski Resorts.For most of my life i have grown up in ski resorts in North America and to be honest i thought it couldn’t get better than what i have experinced so far.However earlier this year we were lucky enough to be the New Zealand Travel Agent sponsor for the Warren Miller movies and it was here on the Playground Movie that i saw a glimpse of what Japan has to offer.It was not only this but the large number of enquires from friends,clients and fellow staff asking “what is skiing/boarding in Japan like compared to North American Resorts. All will be revealed on my trip around Japan watch for my updates on our blog in December 2008!!!