Things to Do at Niseko Annupuri

Niseko Annupuri reaches 1,308 meters and opened as a ski resort in 1982, becoming the quietest of the four interconnected peaks that form Niseko United with 13 lifts serving 1,175 acres of terrain. Day lift tickets cost ¥5,500 ($37) for adults - cheapest among the Niseko resorts - and the smart move is hitting the western exposure runs before 11am when untracked powder still lies thick in the tree wells. The mountain captures a different quality of silence than busier Hirafu, where your skis whisper through snow so light it feels like floating through clouds of crystalline dust. Wind carries the distant sound of chairlift cables humming across ridges dotted with snow-heavy pine trees that release soft avalanches of powder when mountain breezes shake their branches.

You'll likely fly into New Chitose Airport in Sapporo, then it's about a 2-hour drive or bus ride to Niseko. The most straightforward option is probably the airport shuttle bus, which runs directly to various Niseko hotels and costs around ¥2,300. If you're driving, the route is fairly scenic but can be challenging in winter conditions - definitely consider renting a car with winter tires or chains. From central Niseko village , Annupuri is easily accessible by local shuttle buses that connect the different resort areas, though many visitors find it convenient to stay right at the base of their preferred mountain.