Niseko Night Skiing: Embrace the Magic of Twilight Slopes

If you want a special ski experience during your time in Niseko then I cannot recommend the night ski – or twilight ski – enough! The night skiing at Niseko is the largest night ski available in Japan.

Niseko is a well-known ski resort to visit for fresh powder. If you want to enjoy a unique and more exclusive mountain experience, then explore the mountain during night skiing. This will allow you to enjoy the powder with less of a crowd.

About Twilight Ski at Niseko

Twilight skiing goes from 1730 to 2030 every day – as long as conditions allow the lifts to operate.

You will have access to a majority of the mountain – just the highest portion of the mountain is left unlit.

Lights run along 9 runs across the resorts in Niseko, therefore there are plenty of options to explore while chasing the japow on the slopes.

The number of lifts open by resort area:

• Hirafu: 4 lifts
• Niseko Village: 3 lifts
• Niseko Annupuri: 2 lifts

The Grand Hirafu resort area is the largest. With 4 lifts you are able to explore up to 10 km of the resort while night skiing at Niseko. The runs vary between moguls, to groomed trails, and if you are feeling adventurous there are trails between runs that are decent tree runs.

Additionally, ending night skiing around the time of 2000 to 2030 still gives visitors plenty of time to go explore the nightlife in Niseko – which really takes off around 2200!

Why Twilight Ski?

Twilight skiing is significantly less crowded. Most boarders or skiers stick to the daylight hours and will explore the mountain all day and typically never make it to the evening time. Even the ambitious sort may only come out for the first couple of hours.

In the case of Niseko, I would say this is some of the best time to get powder. Why? During my multiple trips there most snow storms seem to start in the late afternoon or evening, and then go throughout the night. This is a great time to get out on the slopes with fewer people while the snow is coming down around you.

Equipment You Will Need for Night Skiing

There is not much additional equipment needed for night skiing or boarding. Bring your standard winter gear and you will be just about set to go.

The only issue you may have is in the goggle department. You will want to invest in some clear lens if possible as the low light under just spotlights will make any other lens basically useless. You will want the clear lens to see the contours in the snow.

Cost for Night Skiing at Niseko

There are two ways to do night skiing at Niseko.

First, you can purchase a twilight ski pass. This allows you to ski between the hours of 1730 to 2030. This is the cheaper option costing approximately ¥2,100.

Or, if you were interested in doing a combo of day skiing that continues onto the evening for twilight or night skiing, then you can purchase one of the five-hour passes or an eight-hour pass. On one of my lazy days, I slept in until about noon and then hit the slopes. I purchased an eight-hour pass which allowed me to ski for the next eight hours from the purchase of the pass which was 1200 to 2000.

Doing a five hour or eight-hour pass is the more expensive option costing ¥5,200 (5 hour) or ¥5,600 (8 hour) but if you still want the time on the slopes then this is a great option.

Twilight Lessons

Another great aspect about night skiing at Niseko is that an instructor company in Niseko offer twilight private sessions. This is cheaper than the full day, or half-day, but are limited to 2 hours.

• Go Snow – offers a two-hour private lesson from 1600 to 1800 for ¥20,000 at the Grand Hirafu resort. With the option of meeting at the Gondola or at the Ace Family lift. You can also book in advance through their website.