Don’t ski? No problem. Here’s how Niseko’s most stylish guests spend winter off the slopes.
Not everyone who books a trip to Niseko intends to ski the entire time, or at all. Some come simply to stand in the middle of a pristine white landscape, Japow covering every roof, railing and road.
The skiing here is excellent, of course, and it’s a great place even for absolute beginners. But there’s more to a Niseko winter than being on a chairlift, and the guests who’ve stayed in our chalets and apartments have the itineraries to prove it.
Here’s our guide to enjoying Niseko without ever clipping into a pair of skis.
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Slow Chalet Mornings
Winter mornings have a way of stretching, and our chalets are made for enjoying exactly this: enough space to turn staying in into an activity, views that justify not leaving and the understanding that some holidays shouldn’t start before 11am.
At Corniche, New York-based fashion influencer Jeanne Grey started her mornings in bed with a warm cup of coffee, watching the snow fall and light shift across the mountains.
At Jade Rabbit, travel influencer and freelance photographer Hildur Karlsson found herself mesmerised by Niseko’s winter landscape, taking her time to slow down and enjoy breakfast in her chalet with a lovely view.
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Snowmobiling
If you prefer to explore the snow with a little more speed, rev things up and go snowmobiling.
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Singapore-based creative, wellness advocate and mother Bella Koh took to Hokkaido’s snowy landscape on a snowmobile, trading the pace of a winter stroll for an exhilarating ride through the powder.
It’s an ideal way to see more of the countryside, and the untouched landscapes make a strong case for getting out of town.
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Horseback Riding
For a different perspective on Niseko’s winter landscape, hop on a saddle.
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WanderLuxe Magazine’s 25/26 digital cover star Jeanne Grey — for whom horses are a personal passion — trudged through snow-covered Hokkaido countryside on horseback. Open both summer and winter, it’s one of the most cinematic ways to experience the great Niseko outdoors.
Snow Tubing
Convinced you’re too clumsy for any activity, snow tubing is for you. With zero skills required, it works for every age group — including the adults who’ll insist they’re only doing it for the kids.
The premise is simple: sit in an inflatable tube and let the gravity do the work. Sessions run throughout the day at Grand Hirafu, with advance booking advisable during peak season.
Japanese content creator Lilly Sayaka Miyakawa gave it a go during her visit last season, and as someone who usually prefers to spend her days on a board (snow or surf), her stamp of approval for snow tubing is enough to convince us.
Play in the Snow
You’re never too old to play in the snow.
Case in point: Thai-British actress and model Paula Taylor, who loved doing snow angels during her visit.
So did WanderLuxe 25/26 cover star, Georgina Wilson-Burnand, who brought her family along for a proper snow day out. Go ahead — build a snowman, throw a snowball, make snow angels. This is what the snow is for.
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Explore Hirafu Village
One of the nicest ways to experience Niseko is to simply wander. Take a morning to explore Hirafu’s snowy streets, duck into shops, and see where the day takes you.
Georgina Wilson-Burnand, stayed at Sekka Sekka and explored the town during her stay, taking in the local sights that make Hirafu so charming in winter.
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Let’s not forget, no town visit is complete without at least one Seicomart konbini run: an onigiri of choice, corn soup from the machine or yet another bag of chips or fried chicken to bring back to your penthouse for some late-night snacking. Unique to Hokkaido, the Seicomart here has proper champagne, too.
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Onsen in Niseko
After a day outside, there’s nowhere better to be than submerged in steaming hot spring water while it’s below zero outside. Dervla Louli Musgrave, founder of wellness travel agency Compare Retreats, made time for the Japanese ritual during her Niseko stay.
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Hot mineral-rich waters, snowy surroundings and that post-adventure calm. The only thing left to do? Start getting ready for dinner.
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Après-Ski in Niseko
Après-ski was never really about the skiing — and you don’t need a lift pass to join in. In Niseko, the evening can mean settling into a cosy bar with a drink, sitting down to a long dinner, or finding somewhere warm to simply linger.
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Last winter, Singapore-based socialites and ROMI Beauty Club co-founders Yoyo Cao and Arissa Cheo landed in Niseko with Hong Kong trendsetters Justine Lee, Calvin Wang and Vincent Guy-Raffin, dining their way through the season. Among the variety of restaurants and bars they visited was Masonry., the acclaimed Bali restaurant’s first Japan outpost, right here at Niseko Kyo.
And if you happen to arrive to Niseko’s hottest après spots fresh from the slopes, all the better. If not? Nobody needs to know.
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