Info

• Date: 22nd - 28th January 2024

• Location: Mt. Niseko-Annupuri, Hokkaido, Japan

• Who: Places capped at 8pax

• What: Skiing, drinking, and all the usual on-mountain activities

• Cost: AUD$905 per person

• Included: Accommodation, on- and off-mountain guides (we’ve been before)

• Anything Else?: You can meet early in Tokyo. Some are staying-on after

The Detail

Our inaugural event as a ski club, The Oft Pissed Club is proud to present the long-awaited Japan 2024 trip! We have a house right next to the slopes for a week that sleeps eight, checking-in on the 22nd and checking-out on the 28th, and people will be arriving in Tokyo up to a few days early plus hangers-on once we leave the mountain.

Transport:

There are two options to get to the mountain: plane (easier and often cheaper) or train (more comfortable). Plane: Fly into Sapporo New Chitose Airport, then it’s a 2-2.5hr bus ride direct from the airport to the Hirafu Welcome Centre. Train: Take the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, then a combination of local trains to Kutchan Station, then finally the local bus up to the Hirafu Welcome Centre.

The Resort:

Mt. Niseko-Annupuri is arguably Japan’s top skiing destination and inarguably has some of the best powder in the world. The mountain typically starts to open in mid- to late-November and doesn’t start winding down until late-April, with the peak being mid-December to late-Feb, and throughout this long season it is not uncommon to get more than 30cm drop in one day. It is hard to overstate the quality of the snow and we highly recommend using deep-powder skis which you can rent on the mountain if you don’t have your own. The mountain is home to four ski resorts with the primary one (and where we’re staying) being Grand Hirafu. You can easily fill your week just skiing this resort but you can also check out Hanazono (long intermediate runs with good parks for tricks), Niseko Village (quieter and wider runs), and Niseko Annupuri (lots of beginner runs) without ever getting off the chairlifts. The main après action is in Grand Hirafu with plenty of great food and drink options for both the budget-conscious and the splashy. Ask us about the peanut ramen place and the bar hidden behind a fridge door!