Niseko Powder - How to ride it and where to look for it

Planning a trip to Niseko, the powder capital of the world? Do you want to make the most of your time here, skiing or snowboarding the deepest driest snow of your life? Look no further as we share some invaluable ideas and tips from those who spend every winter riding a wave of deep powder snow!

We love it all in Niseko, wide open powder bowls, hidden snow stashes, the finest tree skiing in the world and everything in between. Below you’ll find some tips to become a master powder skier or snowboarder, along with some ideas on places you can experience Niseko’s best snow!

How to ski or snowboard the Niseko powder

Hokkaido Core’s Instructor in one of Niseko’s secret powder stashes

So you’re eagerly awaiting your Niseko ski or snowboard trip and can’t wait to get in the fresh powder. But how do you actually ride the deep snow in a way that will make you feel like you’re the hero in your own personal ski movie? Most will think to lean back and hope for the best, but this is a common misconception that will leave your legs tired and worn out for the next day.

We’ve spent more days riding powder in Niseko than we can remember. After many years of both enjoying this amazing snow and showing our guests the best way to ride it, we’ve certainly learned the do’s and don’ts to effortlessly glide through the deep snow.

Staying lower will help so much more than leaning back. This will give you greater balance and ability to turn, while allowing you to change your weight with more refined movements. Leaning back may keep you floating and not getting stuck, but you’ll lose your steering ability and drain your energy fast. Imagine trying to steer a car from the back wheels instead of the front!

Having a good “powder position” on skis or a snowboard is a fantastic starting point. More techniques lie ahead to allow you to ride even more of the Niseko’s areas. Taking a powder lesson with a qualified professional is the best way to develop these skills and not burn out your energy for the next day!

Do I need powder skis or a specific type of snowboard in Niseko?

While you may be tempted to buy or rent the biggest, widest skis or snowboard, it’s not always the best option for you. We’ve tried many different types of equipment in Niseko and what you choose should suit the kind of riding you want to do or where you plan to go.

There are two simple ways of breaking down skis and snowboards when it comes to powder; width and the nose (the front of the ski or snowboard). Deep powder skis or snowboards are usually wider and have a longer nose that curves up more than usual. This allows them to float more through the deeper snow and not get caught up and dig in too much.

Powder specific skis and snowboards are great for just that, powder. They will be a little more challenging to ride on piste or over bumps as they take longer to turn. That extra width and longer nose will delay the switch from one edge to the next, slowing down how quickly you can change without tripping over.

If you are learning to ski or snowboard powder then you’ll definitely want to go for something more “All Mountain”. These types of equipment are in the sweet spot of width, and length of the nose. They are more versatile and will allow you to have just as much fun on trail, off in the trees and in the wide open powder bowls. If you’d like to improve your own powder skiing or snowboarding in Niseko, click here.

Where to go in niseko for the best powder?

There are a few different options to consider for your powder fix. Depending on your skill level and how adventurous you want to be, different options will suit your needs. It’s best and certainly safest to book a knowledge powder guide to show you the way to the best of Niseko Powder without all of the guess work or worry of getting lost.

Imagine spending the day cruising through the softest and deepest snow just off the trails, between the trees or out of the Niseko United Gates! You’ll float effortlessly through the deep snow, creating a wave of powder from your skis or snowboard.

Niseko has plenty of areas that most can miss, consider the ideas below with some handy tips along the way. For more information, contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Niseko Tree Skiing, unlike anywhere else in the world

Finding the deep powder stashes between the Niseko trees

Niseko is home to “Shirakaba” trees. Meaning white birch trees. Why should you care about which trees you’ll be skiing or snowboarding between? They are thin and well spaced, allowing amazing access to the best powder you’ve ever seen! There are many other ski resorts you may have been to which have tree skiing, but often they are close together and require very quick reflexes.

Niseko tree skiing has some great options for all levels. Kids and adults alike love skiing the trees just next to the main green run in Hirafu. More advanced will have a great time in Miharashi trees near the Hirafu Gondola!

Not only is it fun to ski the soft powder collected between the trees, but you’ll also be able to see better! Having the contrast of the darker trees and the lighter snow allows your eyes to adjust to the snowy conditions here in Niseko. You’ll be able to see any bumps in the snow that you might otherwise not know until you ride over them.

Ask any local around here which tree area is their favourite and you’ll hear many different answers, that is if they will tell you their secret spots though. Luckily we are happy to share our favourite areas with you! Hidden powder stashed can be found all over the Niseko area, either just off the side of the trails or out of the gates.

Gates? How to safely access the Niseko powder

Gate 11 in Niseko Village - Now with an indicator of the area conditions

Niseko has a system where certain areas are opened or closed depending on conditions. This provides safer access to areas just outside of the resort. Here you can certainly find some of the best powder around. Each gate is numbered and also has a unique name.

Gate 7 in Annupuri is a great start for those unfamiliar to Niseko, you’ll find it near the Jumbo 3 chairlift entrance. Mellow and fairly wide spaced trees welcome you before opening up into a more spacious area, after this you’ll reach a natural half pipe before coming back to the Annupuri Gondola base. Plenty of fun can be had in here with no major worry of getting lost.

The peak gates are great for those more adventurous which provide longer runs and access to untouched powder snow. Having someone to show you the way is highly recommended as not only can you have the best time in the deep snow, but you’ll be more relaxed knowing you’re safe and able to learn the routes back to the resort.

Each gate has it’s own features and quirks, for example “Waterfall” gate is not just a name. To enjoy the gates safely, avalanche safety kits and a helmet are strongly recommended. They’ll be mandatory for anyone going through the Niseko gates from the 20/21 winter season onward. There are some areas where you can get stuck also, for those going out of Gate 5, lookout for chairlift tower number 8 (there’s a big yellow 8 on it) as you’ll need to traverse skiers right onto the ski track, unless you enjoy a hike back to the chairlift.

Experience the rush of powder skiing or boarding safely with a knowledgeable powder guide.

By now you should be eager to experience the Niseko powder and have some ideas for how to safely ski or snowboard in the deep powder. For any more information or if you’re interested in how we can make your time in Niseko truly memorable, get in touch.