Three places to ski in Japan, from mainstream to most popular

Summary: Due to the low humidity, this ski area receives an average of 112 cm of snow, which is one of the softest in the world. It covers four resorts connected by shuttle buses: Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and Annupuri.

Locality: Expect long forested trails throughout, with longer beginner runs in Hirafu and Niseko. For more extreme riders, there are many equipment suppliers that offer backcountry gelding and cat skis. Hokkaido Backcountry Club is a popular option, with helicopter tours costing around US$1,350 (S$1,780) per day.

How to get there: A 90-minute flight from Tokyo to Sapporo, plus a three-hour bus or train ride.

The cost of a day lift ticket: ¥10,500 (S$90) for access to all four peaks; free with Ikon Pass

Where to stay: The year-old Muwa Hotel Niseko offers apartment-style rooms and suites with direct access to Grand Hirafu Ski Resort, where a new 10-seater gondola with Wi-Fi and heated seats is slated to open this season. There’s also the Park Hyatt on the slopes in the more upscale Hanazono area, and the Ritz-Carlton Reserve a few minutes’ drive from Niseko Village.

Scene: Opt for Gyu+ Bar, Hirafu’s sophisticated bar hidden behind a fridge door, and Toshiro’s Bar with an enviable selection of whiskeys from Japanese distilleries such as Yoichi and Yamazaki. For food, there’s Izakaya Nidaime Samurai, which does great Hokkaido fried chicken.

One caveat: Expect crowds of tourists, little authentic Japanese culture, and even fewer food options. We spent our evenings eating kebabs at a food truck, not at a table with friends.

Hakuba Valley